Jackie Barrera Gonzalez

Board Member

Jackie Barrera-Gonzalez is a 1st grade bilingual teacher at Nuestro Mundo Community School. As a former student who attended the school just a year after it was founded, her early experiences at Nuestro Mundo sparked a deep passion for bilingual education and language acquisition, inspiring her to return as a bilingual teacher. Jackie continued her bilingual journey by completing the dual language immersion program at Sennett Middle School and La Follette High School. In 2022, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a certificate in Chicano/Latino Studies from UW–Madison. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction–Research, also at UW–Madison.

As both a Nuestro Mundo alum and educator, Jackie understands the importance of cultivating a classroom where students feel valued, represented, and inspired. She believes that every child deserves to feel empowered, embrace their identity, and develop a strong sense of self. As a proud Latina and daughter of Mexican immigrants, Jackie is honored to represent the students who now stand where she once stood. Her lived experience fuels her commitment to uplifting students who see themselves reflected in her journey. As a teacher, Jackie strives to help her students build the confidence to believe in themselves and to know that they can achieve anything they set their minds to, regardless of their background or identities. Jackie is excited to have joined the NMI Board in 2025 and to support the advancement of a more culturally competent and inclusive community.