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About the Conference
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Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) is bringing translators and interpreters Out of the Shadows and Into the Spotlight at the inaugural Professional Translators and Interpreters Conference (PTIC) on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in Houston, and we would love for you to be a part of it!This exciting event is designed to celebrate and spotlight the vital role of language professionals in our community. Featuring keynote speaker Dr. Lupita Hinojosa, Houston-area superintendent, and Natalia Abarca from the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE), this conference promises to be an inspiring and enriching experience. We invite you to come network, share your experiences, and learn from fellow translators and interpreters dedicated to improving language access.Mark your calendars and don't miss the chance to be part of this groundbreaking event, and come help us make this conference a success!
Speakers
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Keynote Speaker
Dr. Lupita HinojosaRetired Superintendent,
Spring Independent School DistrictMeet keynote speaker Dr. Lupita Hinojosa
Dr. Lupita Hinojosa was named Superintendent of Schools in January 2022, becoming the first Hispanic woman to hold the top leadership position in Spring ISD, which serves more than 34,000 students in a diverse community approximately 20 miles north of downtown Houston.
An experienced educational leader with more than 30 years in public education, Dr. Hinojosa joined Spring ISD in 2014 as the Chief Schools Officer and later served as the district's Chief of Innovation and Equity.
As Superintendent of Schools for Spring ISD, Dr. Hinojosa was instrumental in implementing a strategic plan, Every Student – Every Teacher – Every Day: A Blueprint for Excellent and Equitable Outcomes, to help improve student achievement and ensure all paths aligned with the district's purpose of student success. Data from TEA indicates great gains in student achievement scores, thus closing the gaps between Spring ISD and statewide results.
Dr. Hinojosa spearheaded the launch of a new Momentum High School, which offers a path to graduation for students seeking an alternative to the traditional middle or high school experience. With smaller classes, personalized learning plans, accelerated credit recovery and career training opportunities, Momentum provides a path to graduation for students who may have become disconnected or disengaged in their traditional high school environment.
Dr. Hinojosa began her career in 1988 as an elementary bilingual teacher with the Houston Independent School District, going on to serve as an elementary principal, middle school principal, executive principal, school services officer, and as an assistant superintendent – a role in which she oversaw 114 magnet programs serving approximately 45,000 students.
She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Texas at Austin, an Elementary and Bilingual Education Certification from the University of Houston, a Master of Education in educational leadership and management from the University of Houston at Clear Lake and a Doctor of Education in educational leadership from the University of Houston.
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Featured Speaker
Natalia AbarcaCoordinator—Language Services
Orange County Department of Education (OCDE)Meet featured speaker Natalia Abarca
With over 25 years of experience in educational program development and leadership, Natalia Abarca is passionate about advancing multilingual education and supporting diverse communities both nationally and internationally. Her professional journey has been centered around fostering inclusive, culturally responsive systems that elevate the quality of services for multilingual learners and their families.
As the leader and facilitator of the OCDE Multilingual Consortium, Natalia manages a network of highly qualified professionals dedicated to providing top-tier translation and interpretation services to Orange County schools and surrounding districts. In this role, she focuses on building capacity among multicultural staff and ensuring the successful implementation of systems that support educational equity.
In addition, Natalia is a licensed trainer for The Community Interpreter International and a Medical Interpreter, offering specialized training and consultations for organizations and individuals in need of interpretation services. She is also the primary contact for the OCDE Annual Interpreters and Translators Conference in Education, where she connects experts in the field to share best practices and address the evolving needs of the education sector.
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General Session Speaker
Nestor WagnerFounder and Director,
Southern California School of Interpretation (SCSI)Meet general session speaker Nestor Wagner
Néstor Wagner is a nationally recognized expert in interpreter training and a pioneer in leveraging technology to advance the field. He is the founder and director of the Southern California School of Interpretation, known for producing top-tier certified interpreters across legal, medical and immigration settings. With a Master's in Aeronautical and Astronautical engineering, Wagner brings a unique precision to interpreters education. He is also the visionary behind Knowi.ai, SCSI's innovative AI-powered platform designed to support and elevate language professionals. Through decades of leadership and technological innovation, Wagner has reshaped interpreter education across the United States for the modern age.
Agenda
7 – 8 a.m. | Registration / Breakfast / Vendor Showcase |
8:05 – 8:15 a.m. | Welcome |
8:15 – 8:30 a.m. | A Word from Alboum Translation Services (underwriter) |
8:30 – 9:15 a.m. | Keynote Speaker - Dr. Lupita Hinojosa |
9:15 – 9:30 a.m. | Vendor Showcase / Coffee-Tea Break |
9:30 – 10:15 a.m. | Breakout Session #1 |
10:15 – 10:30 a.m. | Vendor Showcase / Coffee-Tea Break |
10:30 – 11:10 a.m. | Featured Speaker - Ms. Natalia Abarca |
11:10 – 12:10 p.m. | LUNCH / A Word from Our Sponsors |
12:10 – 12:30 p.m. | Vendor Showcase/Networking |
12:30 – 1:15 p.m. | Breakout Session #2 |
1:15 – 1:30 p.m. | Vendor Showcase/Coffee-Tea Break |
1:30 – 2:15 p.m. | Breakout Session #3 |
2:15 – 2:30 p.m. | Vendor showcase/Coffee-Tea-Snack Break |
2:30 – 3:15 p.m. | General session-Main conference Room |
3:15 – 3:30 p.m. | Closing (Door Prizes, Final Recognitions Save the Date) |
Professional Translators & Interpreters Conference
DATE:
Thursday, July 24, 2025TIME:
7 a.m.–3:30 p.m.COST:
$55 (Early Bird Special through July 20)$75 (Regular registration)
CONTACT US:
Marketing & Client EngagementHarris County Department of Education
Stephanie De Los Santos
Director of Marketing and Client Engagement
Email: sdelossantos@hcde-texas.org
Wendy Utterback
Translations Coordinator
Email: wutterback@hcde-texas.org
LOCATION:
HCDE Conference Center (Fifth Floor)6300 Irvington Blvd.
Houston, Texas 77022
(View Map)
Stay in Houston
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Rooms are still available for PTIC 2025
Traveling to Houston for PTIC? Stay at the breathtaking Marriott Marquis!
Presenters & Sessions
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Elevate your translation and interpretation skills
Explore sessions and meet the expert presenters who will guide you through best practices, ethical decision-making, and advanced techniques
Sponsors / Exhibitors
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Meet experts, partners at PTIC 2025
Exhibitors: See where you will be located and find out what to expect at this year's conference
Committee Members
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PTIC committee getting ready for inaugural conference
Event coordinators, members to host Texas' first event for language pros in education
Thanks to Our Generous Sponsors
CONTRIBUTOR

TransPerfect

TNOLA Languages

Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters

American Association of Interpreters and
Translators in Education

T360nBeyond
About HCDE
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Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) is a unique hybrid educational service provider supporting school districts, governmental entities and nonprofits in the third-largest county in the country. As the last remaining county office of education in Texas, HCDE directly serves students from birth to adult and provides services that support more than 257,300 students and 39,600 educators each year. HCDE also provides services to dozens of governmental agencies and nonprofits.
HCDE is a model of fiscal efficiency, turning every $1 of property taxes into more than $5 in services. By leveraging property tax dollars through fees for service and grant funds, HCDE has become a model of fiscal efficiency and has won numerous financial accounting awards in Texas and around the country.
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Marketing and Client Engagement
Harris County Department of Education
6005 Westview Dr.
Houston, TX 77055