Liz Gonzalez – Arizona Alliance of Black School Educators

Liz Gonzalez, a proud “LumberCat,” is an educator, advocate, author, and fierce believer in the power of knowledge to transform lives and communities. She holds an Education Specialist degree in Social Justice from the University of Arizona and both a Master’s in Educational Leadership and a Bachelor’s in English Education from Northern Arizona University. But it’s her Wildcat soul and Lumberjack grit that drive her “Sí Se Puede” spirit. Inspired by her father, a teacher, and in loving memory of her mother, an 8 th grade graduate, Liz's journey is a tribute to the strength and sacrifice of those who came before her.

Her passion is deeply rooted in both curriculum and community. From her very first year of teaching—when she was honored with the Esperanza Award as Chicanos Por La Causa’s Outstanding Hispanic Teacher of the Year—Liz has seen education as a vehicle for justice. She has served across the spectrum, from Pre-K to higher ed, classroom to district office, and service learning to policy. Proudly, Liz is returning to her Phoenix Union roots as the Micro Leader of Maryvale’s Gifted and Talented Academy, the very place where she was named Maryvale’s Teacher of the Year, the place where Liz will continue to champion equitable access to advanced learning for historically underrepresented students.

Her advocacy doesn’t stop at the school level. Liz is a statewide advocate for unheard youth, as a board member for Arizona’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) initiative, the President Elect for Arizona’s Education of Young Children (AzAEYC) focusing on 0-5 education, and an Appointed Commissioner on the Mayor's Youth and Education Commission—where she helps shape youth voice centered around cte and stem. Liz is also a co-author of Arizona House Bill 2677, and contributed to the Educational Leadership Series, Radiance, further proving that her impact extends into education and legislation. Nationally, she’s been recognized for her service-learning partnership model with Kroger, showing how community and corporate partnerships can uplift neighborhoods. Internationally, she was awarded an Education First (EF) China Tour, where she explored global education systems and contributed cross-cultural curriculum design.