María Robledo Montecel

Dr. Maria “Cuca” Robledo Montecel is president emerita of the Intercultural Development Research Association in San Antonio, an independent non-profit organization dedicated to equity and excellence in education. IDRA works with school systems, institutions of higher education, and communities across the country to create education that works for all children, particularly those who are of color, emergent bilingual, or in families with low incomes. Dr. Robledo Montecel was IDRA’s president & CEO until her retirement in January 2019.

Dr. Robledo Montecel’s lifetime concern with youth has provided inspiration and vision for many communities across the country. Going against the current deficit model approaches in schools, she champions the value, integrity, and possibilities of all children.