Title: National Director of Elementary Education
Company: Latinos in Action
Location: Kent, Washington, United States
Athena J. Jimenez-Manalo, EdD, national director of elementary education at Latinos in Action, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for dedication, achievements, and leadership in bilingual education.
Dr. Jimenez-Manalo has distinguished herself across a career of more than 10 years. She currently serves as the national director of elementary education at Latinos in Action, a role she accepted in 2024. Dr. Jimenez-Manalo’s responsibilities include writing curriculum for elementary courses, meeting with school districts and other potential partners, and traveling around the country to offer support to districts that have already connected with Latinos in Action. She established herself as a leading figure in the field of bilingual education while working as a dual language and multilingual learning manager for the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families. Prior to that, Dr. Jimenez-Manalo held positions as a Spanish immersion teacher at the International Spanish Academy’s Bellevue School District, an eighth-grade dual language social studies teacher at Richfield Public Schools, and a bilingual family liaison and community education program coordinator at Minneapolis Public Schools. Her career started in 2010 as a program coordinator for Northeastern Illinois University.
The foundation for Dr. Jimenez-Manalo’s success can be found in her academic background, beginning with a Bachelor of Arts in history and secondary education from Northeastern Illinois University in 2012. She obtained a Master of Education in curriculum and instruction with a specialization in bilingual education from the American College of Education in 2016. Dr. Jimenez-Manalo returned to that institution to earn a Doctor of Education in 2023. As part of her commitment to her field, she maintains membership in the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, the Washington Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents, and the National Association of Bilingual Education. Dr. Jimenez-Manalo has given presentations at numerous events related to the topic of bilingual education. She attributes her success to the positive influence of her grandmother and the support of her husband.
Beyond her professional life, Dr. Jimenez-Manalo finds balance in hiking with her husband and dog. She also enjoys giving back to the wider community, offering her skills as a board treasurer for Children Ready to Learn and as an alumni mentor for Northeastern Illinois University. Looking ahead, Dr. Jimenez-Manalo intends to continue improving access to education for marginalized and underprivileged communities. She wants to bring career opportunities and social mobility to everyone, regardless of their economic status or background — a commendable approach reflected in her dedication to her industry.
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