Fresno – Central Unified School District said goodbye to Nora Ceballos, the program involvement coordinator who spent over 20 years advocating for English‑learning families. At a retirement celebration held at the Teague Center, colleagues, parents and community leaders honored her legacy of expanding language services and family outreach.
From immigrant roots to school‑district leadership
Ceballos arrived in the United States from Jalisco, Mexico in 1991 with her husband and five‑year‑old son. After a brief stay in Burbank, where she first pushed for a school uniform policy to promote equality, the family moved to Fresno in 2005 when her husband took an architecture job.
While still learning English, Ceballos sought a part‑time position that would let her practice the language. She was hired by Central Unified’s migrant education program at Biola Elementary, conducting home visits, translating documents and driving families to appointments. She quickly learned that many parents felt disrespected because school communications were only in English.
Building a network of translators and liaisons
Recognizing the need for broader language support, Ceballos advocated for the district to hire translators beyond Spanish. Over time, she helped secure Punjabi and Hmong translators, and pressed the board for dedicated family liaison positions at each school. In 2023 the board approved a liaison for every site, a milestone Ceballos cites as one of her greatest achievements.
She also championed resources for unhoused students, foster youth and families with additional needs, ensuring that vulnerable children received the support required to succeed academically.
Impact on families and the community
Parents describe Ceballos as a “walking resource,” recalling how she would translate paperwork, explain school policies and even accompany illegal immigrant families to medical appointments. One mother, fearing her son would be denied care because of his status, was reassured by Ceballos that the hospital would treat him.
Her dedication earned praise from community leaders. Naindeep Singh, executive director of the Jakara Movement and a CUSD trustee, said Ceballos “opened doors for those historically left outside the room,” highlighting her role in supporting newer immigrants from Mexico, Punjab, Yemen and elsewhere.
Retirement and next chapter
At the retirement gathering, Ceballos told attendees in Spanish, “I’m leaving the district with my head held high, knowing I made a difference in many people’s lives.” She added that there was never a day she felt she hadn’t helped someone.
Superintendent Mark Marshall called Ceballos’s departure “a celebration” but noted the district will miss her daily presence and leadership. He emphasized that the family outreach team she built remains a celebrated part of Central Unified.
Ceballos plans to focus on her health and family after stepping down, confident that the foundation she helped lay will continue to serve Fresno’s diverse student body.
Legacy for future generations
Her story underscores the importance of parental involvement, language access and community‑driven solutions in public schools. As Central Unified moves forward, the structures Ceballos helped create aim to ensure every student—regardless of language or background—has a voice and the resources needed to thrive.
Original reporting: Fresnoland — read the source article.
