Dr. Rita Maria Hernandez

Dr. Rita María Hernández stands as a paragon in the realm of educational and organizational leadership. Her extensive career, spanning over three decades, is deeply rooted in education, administration, teacher training, and curriculum development, making her a prominent figure in these sectors. Central to her vast experiences is a profound academic backdrop. Dr. Hernández is a proud alumnus of Universidad de Baja California, where she procured her Doctorate in Government and Public Policy. Further enriching her academic portfolio, she acquired an M.A. in Educational Research from Itaca University and another M.A. in High School Education from Universidad de Estudios Pedágogicos de Baja California. She initiated her educational odyssey at Point Loma Nazarene University, earning her B.A. in Education, further nuanced with a Minor in Bilingual and Bicultural Education, and subsequently attained her K-12 Teacher Certification there. Dr. Hernández is the esteemed founder and director of The Home Educator Institute and Tack Learning. Under her aegis, Tack Learning introduced the pioneering TACK method of planning the K-8 curriculum, illuminating the path for countless educators. Prior to this, she significantly contributed as the Director of Policy and Advocacy at Atlas Free in Kirkland, WA, before concluding her tenure in June 2023. Here, she managed monumental budgets, strategized to fortify laws safeguarding women, presented groundbreaking legislations, and directed a dynamic international squad. Her illustrious stint at Comisión Unidos vs Trata AC in Mexico remains a testament to her activism and leadership, where she championed the team that formulated and promoted the pivotal Mexican Human Trafficking Law. Simultaneously, her role at Highland Prince Academy in Tijuana, MX, demonstrates her unwavering commitment to academic excellence, supervising aspects from curriculum development to teacher professional training. Dr. Hernández's skill set is both broad and deep. She's a published author and a proficient translator. Moreover, her credential as a counselor, particularly specializing in arenas such as gender-based violence, adolescent, and child counseling, augments her multifaceted prowess. Her dedication to human rights advocacy culminated in her being felicitated as the Human Rights Activist of the Year in 2017. Proficiently bilingual in English and Spanish, Dr. Hernández's narrative is imbued with relentless dedication, transformative leadership, and an undying zeal for effecting substantial societal change. Both as an educator and a change-maker, she continually inspires and lays down pathways of excellence for countless aspirants in education and advocacy sectors.