On Thursday, March 13th, SIATech Board member Erica Alfaro presented at the California Charter School Association (CCSA) Conference.
According to their website the CCSA “advances the charter school movement through state and local advocacy, leadership on accountability, and resources for member schools.” The organization commits itself to bring equity and opportunity to all California students and ensure they achieve success. The CCSA Conference brings educators and educational professionals together for a time of learning, collaboration and networking opportunities.
Throughout her life, Alfaro faced many trials however, despite the odds she persevered. She was the first woman in her family to earn a graduate degree, and she credits education as being her “door to opportunities.” Alfaro has her Master’s in education and counseling from San Diego State University.
In 2019 her graduation pictures went viral and were seen on various news outlets. The photo pictured Alfaro in a gap and gown, along with her mother and her father standing proudly in the middle of strawberry fields.
In a May 2024 TV news story from NBC LA News, Alfaro shared that she chose the strawberry fields as her photo location because she wanted to dedicate her master’s to her parents that were farmers and were not able to gain an education.
Alfaro's story and photo can be viewed publicly at Angel Island Immigration Museum in San Francisco Bay.
In the year 2022 Alfaro published her first book Harvesting Dreams where she shares her journey of adversities that she overcame to achieve success. The cover for that book is the same one that went viral years prior. Harvesting Dreams won the International Latino Book Award and the 7th Latino “Book into Movies” award.
Alfaro, is an award winning author that proudly advocates for education. According to her bio of CCSA Conference website, “she has received multiple Latina and business leadership awards, including Constituent of the Month by the House of Representatives and 40 under 40 by Business Street.”
Now, Alfaro is able to share her story and inspire others. Which is exactly what she did at the CCSA Conference!
Alfaro was a keynote speaker at the conference, her presentation titled "Harvesting Dreams: Resilience and Opportunity, My Journey as a Charter School Alumna" motivated the audience and revealed how perseverance is always an option.
