Frances Guzman: Multilingual Education Advocate at CPS

The Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati USA proudly features Frances V. Guzman, M.Ed., in our “Kudos Corner” for her commitment, dedication, and for going above and beyond as a teacher at the Cincinnati Public Schools. 

The Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati USA and the Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati Foundation honor Ms. Guzman, an ESOL teacher at Hartwell Middle School. She started her ESOL teaching career at Hartwell Elementary School after spending 3 years as a Bilingual Teacher at AMIS. It was at Hartwell that she used her personal experiences as a multilingual learner to shape her passion for advocacy and inclusion. 

We commend Ms. Guzman for her strong, caring teacher-student relationships and her role as a Life-changing teacher. She understands firsthand the challenges of learning a new language in a classroom setting and worked intentionally to create a safe, welcoming environment for immigrant families and students. Ms. Guzman prioritizes consistent communication with parents, advocates for students and families, and fosters a strong sense of community.  

Under the guidance of Ms. Guzman, Hartwell’s multilingual learner population has evolved to mirror the demographics of its surrounding community. Presently, over 40% of the student body originates from immigrant families. Ms. Guzman is dedicated to actively volunteering her time for tutoring, interpreting, and providing support to families within the community. Currently, she serves on the Hartwell Elementary leadership team, where she advocates for equitable access to education and fair testing practices for immigrant students. Furthermore, she provides coaching and mentorship to teachers in implementing best practices for supporting multilingual learners. 

Ms. Guzman’s leadership, passion, empathy, and clear vision to transform schools are truly inspirational. Her dedication to driving engagement and academic growth has the potential to open doors for underrepresented communities and demonstrate that Latinas are well-suited for leadership positions within the education sector.

Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the youngest of three daughters, she relocated to the United States in 1988 at the age of eleven, without prior knowledge of English. During a time when English as a Second Language (ESOL) services were not readily available, she successfully graduated from high school with full bilingual proficiency and honors. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Cincinnati, obtained in 2005. Having dedicated several years to raising her three sons, she experienced a profound desire to return to education and offer guidance to students who have faced similar challenges. In 2015, she enrolled in Xavier University and completed a Master’s degree in Education with a specialization in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL).  She pursued a second Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, earning her principal licensure.

Image credit and information sourced by Frances V Guzman. Information was also obtained from the Cincinnati Public Schools website and Xavier University's 178th Commencement, May 14. 2016. 

The Kudos Corner, an initiative of the Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati USA and the Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati Foundation, seeks to acknowledge and honor the remarkable accomplishments of Latino individuals who have made a substantial impact on their communities.

Written by Lorena Mora-Mowry, host of the Latina Today Podcast and a member of the Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati Foundation Board.