A CLEAR Leader, Dr. Ken Magdaleno - “El Winner”
The first Sin Cuenta Podcast guest is Dr. Ken Magdaleno, whose name has become synonymous with the word “Praxis,” which the great educator Paulo Freire described as “reflection and action upon the world in order to transform it.”
In Part 1 of a 2-part interview, Ken gives us an orientation into informed action through leadership. He tells of growing up in a small Ventura County town with angry emotions, as he opens up about losing his mother and being subjected to emotional abuse and a brief but positive foster family experience, that was difficult for him to process. His leadership journey takes him from the military to civil service, from walk-on football coach to unexpectedly becoming a teacher, guidance counselor, and school administrator. Ken redefined himself, and restarted his college career at age 38. His challenging search for data to complete his doctoral work on mentoring and leadership for Latinx educators and the frustrating findings leads him to form the CALSA Mentoring program and create and consult on the formation of others. Ken is recognized as the CALSA’s initial Mentoring Program Consultant and Director. Ken went on to retire as professor and director of the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership at the Kremen School of Education and Human Development at Fresno State.
In Part 2, this now retired professor and CEO of the Center for Leadership Equity And Research reflects on how the mentoring programs he developed have strategically formed current educational and social justice leaders. Among other things, these programs seek to develop role models who espouse moral values of dignity and respect. Former CALSA mentoring proteges and succeeding CALSA Mentoring Program Directors Soccorro Shiels and Dr. Juan Santos, make a special appearance to honor Ken with palabras de corazon for their mentor and inspirational leader. Ken beams with pride at how much they have already influenced others and will continue to do so on their journeys.
This fan of Carlos Santana is most proud of his family and great-grandparenting. Ken only discriminates between flour or corn tortillas depending on the dish. Ken’s life work makes him "El Winner” who can walk through any door to face all forms of inequities, institutional and systemic racism and oppression. Ken has mentored an army of other similar leaders and together they make an incredible difference.
On behalf of Sin Cuenta, we have commissioned a Loteria inspired card, titled “El Winner”, in Ken’s childhood dream image of himself as a baseball player. Follow us on Instagram @Sincuenta_Podcast to view this memorable image created by rising artist Aaron Silva.
You can find Ken Magdaleno at: www.clearvoz.com and by e-mail at kmagdaleno@clearvoz.com
