Mario Molina

Overview

Mario Molina serves as a Native American Education Specialist with WestEd and works within the Region 13 Comprehensive Center and Center for School Turnaround and Improvement. Molina helps the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) plan and facilitate the Principal’s Leadership Academy, which provides professional learning and leadership development for tribal school leaders. As a member of the Center for School Turnaround and Improvement, he developed indigenized methods, strategies, and suggestions for tribal schools to include in their school improvement plans.  

Before joining WestEd, Molina served as a Tribal Education Director in Southern Arizona. Prior to that, he was a teacher and school administrator within BIE Tribally Controlled Schools, private schools, public schools, and charter schools, choosing schools that served a high population of Native American students. 

Molina has also served as a consultant for tribal communities and schools in their efforts to pursue self-determination, tribal sovereignty, language revitalization and nation rebuilding through education. In each consultation, he has introduced his own methodology that promotes the retention of tribal culture, indigenous language, tribal heritage, and tribal identity.

Molina is a member of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Southern Arizona, with maternal ties to the Akimel O’odham of the Gila River Indian Community.

Education

• PhD in educational psychology, Arizona State University
• MA in educational psychology, in Northern Arizona University

Select Publications

Molina, M. (2023). Walking in two worlds: Supporting the Indigenous learner. WestEd.

Sandoval, N., Molina, M., & Perry, R. (2021). Working respectfully with Indigenous communities around data, research, and evidence. Regional Educational Laboratory at WestEd.

Layland, A., & Molina, M. (2019). Sovereignty performance management: Performance management for Tribes, tribal education agencies, and tribal education departments. Academic Development Institute.

Molina, M. (2013). Leveraging Native language and culture for future success. The State of Indian Country Arizona, Vol. 1. Arizona State University.