Dr. Flores is a pioneer Latina scholar Activist and Leader, Teacher Educator, Children’s Literature Writer, and International Expert in the areas of biliteracy development using Goodman’s sociopsycholinguistics theory of reading, Ferreiro & Teberosky’s sociopsychogeneis theory of literacy development, Vygotsky’s sociocultural theoretical framework related to teaching/learning, and Freire’s critical pedagogy. She has also conducted professional staff development in bilingual education and school board mentoring. Not only has she published her work in professional journals, books, and chapters, but she is also a sought after keynote speaker throughout the Americas. In addition, she is the creator and coauthor of the first original Spanish leveled book series in the United States, Piñata and Más Piñta (220 titles). Más Piñta will be relaunched in the winter of 2018 by Lee and Low Publishers of New York. She has been a Professor since 1980 and recently semi-retired from California State University, San Bernardino.

Dr. Flores holds and has held a number of leadership positions. She has been on San Bernardino City School Board since 2008 and served as Vice President and President. She was reelected in 2013 and 2017 for a 4 year term. Currently she was elected President of California Latino School Board Association 2014-2016 and also reelected for the 2016-2018 term. She also served as Vice President from 2010-2014 for CLSBA. In addition, she is currently on the Executive Board of the California Association for Bilingual Education. Dr. Flores was Chair of the Elementary Section for NCTE during the early 1990s. She was also past President of the National Association for Bilingual Education and the Alliance for Multilingual Multicultural Education. Her Leadership spans politics, policymaking, pedagogy, professional development and mentoring.