José Jiménez is the Deputy Superintendent of District 24 in New York City. Prior to that role, he was a principal, where he focused on developing project-based practices to enhance the experiential learning of his students. He believes in the importance of teaching children holistically and authentically and empowering them with rich learning experiences and access to mindfulness practices that foster greater connection, empathy, and social action. He is a member of Proud Educators, an organization of school professionals supporting one another to take steps towards self-disclosing their LGBTQ+ identities in schools in an effort to be the role models they needed when they were in school and is dedicated to creating and supporting inclusive school environments. In addition, he is an Urban Education Ph.D. student at the CUNY Graduate Center, specializing in Educational Policy and Leadership and has taught undergraduates and graduate students in the Childhood Department at Brooklyn College and a certified Yoga Teacher. He holds degrees from New York University and Brooklyn College. As an immigrant from Cuba, education has been the greatest of equalizers and he is dedicated to ensuring that all children have a seat at the table and access to role models that will inspire them to achieve great heights.