PLAN Board Information

2025-2026 PLAN Executive Board and Representatives

PRESIDENT

MARGARITA DE LEON VIERA
Spanish Teacher

Western Career and Technical Academy

Las Vegas, Nevada

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MARGARITA DE LEON VIERA

From Gurabo, Puerto Rico, I come from a family of educators, my mother, Retired Principal, Margarita Viera Pérez being my biggest inspiration. I started my career as a Theatre Arts teacher in Puerto Rico, for 8 years where I directed plays, a movie and advised a dance club. In 2014 I relocated to Las Vegas, teaching Spanish for native speakers and English natives from levels 1 to AP Spanish Literature & Culture at Del Sol Academy of the Performing Arts. At DSA, I was advisor to SOL and was in charge of the Annual Día de Muerto Festival. Currently, I teach at West CTA, where I am the Sponsor of El Coquí Chapter of Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica and teacher of Spanish 1, 2H and AP Spanish Lan & Lit.

VICE PRESIDENT

SHANNA KRUEGER
Spanish and Government Teacher

Dayton High School

Dayton, Nevada

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SHANNA KRUEGER

As a National Board Certified Teacher in Social Studies, I recognize the importance of being an involved member of professional communities. I currently serve as the Advocacy Chair for PLAN and would like to continue this role for another term. As the Advocacy Chair, I have been honored to represent PLAN at the JNCL- NCLIS Advocacy for the past two years to discuss world language topics with our congressional representatives and their staff.

SECRETARY

JULIE LOZADA OCAMPO
Retired Spanish Teacher

Carson City, Nevada

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JULIE LOZADA OCAMPO

I am a retired Spanish teacher in northern Nevada having taught 10 years at Carson High School and 20 years at Dayton High School. As a retiree, I am currently working as a critical needs Spanish hire in Douglas County for just this year. I was a National Board Certified Teacher from 2011-2021 and was the Nevada State World Language Teacher of the Year for 2014.

TREASURER

JACQULYN PRAY
Spanish Teacher

Shadow Ridge High School

Las Vegas, Nevada

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JACQULYN PRAY

*Coming Soon!

COMMITTEE COORDINATOR

JENNIFER NEWMAN-CORNELL
French and Spanish Teacher

Northwest Career and Technical Academy

Las Vegas, Nevada

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JENNIFER NEWMAN-CORNELL

Hello! I am finishing my 20th year of teaching French and Spanish in high school. I have taught all levels both online and in the physical classroom and I love our profession! I know that being able to connect and network with other professionals is essential to development and maintaining sanity as an educator. I lead several professional learning communities in my district and am excited to bring the PLC and networking to the state level to help connect and support all Nevada world language educators. I believe that being a part of professional associations strengthens us as educators and am proud to say that I have been a part of PLAN and other local and national organizations for my entire career. I appreciate the opportunity to represent my fellow teachers at the state level and to coordinate our efforts to grow together and continue to develop as professionals.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE

RACHEL TILLOTSON
Education Programs Professional (Former Spanish Teacher)

Nevada Department of Education

Carson City, NV

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RACHEL TILLOTSON

Rachel Tillotson was the 2017 Nevada World Language Teacher of the year and is a national PLAN, SWCOLT and ACTFL presenter. She is also a National Board Certified Teacher and a strong advocate for global competency and the incorporation of innovative practices in the classroom. She has served as the Professional Development Chairperson, President-Elect, President, and now State Representative for the Professional Language Association of Nevada. Over her 20 years in the classroom prior to joining the Nevada Department of Education, she taught ethnicities, education, and Spanish courses at the University of Nevada, Reno. She also taught all content areas at an alternative education school and levels 1-6 of Spanish and alternative education at a comprehensive high school in Reno, Nevada. Rachel is currently the Education Programs Professional supporting the Seal of Biliteracy, secondary ELA, and K-12 World Language programs at the Nevada Department of Education in Carson City, Nevada.

SWCOLT REPRESENTATIVE

MELISSA CARSON
World Language Coordinator, Spanish Teacher

Washoe County School District

Reno, Nevada

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MELISSA CARSON

Bio coming soon!