MMSD Names New Executive Director of Multilingual Education

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) has named Leah Zepeda Vaughn as its Executive Director of Multilingual Education. Zepeda Vaughn has served MMSD for more than 17 years fostering equitable and exceptional educational experiences for learners. 

Throughout her career at MMSD, Zepeda Vaughn has demonstrated a commitment to education for multilingual learners. She has built collaboration across departments to ensure comprehensive access to improved educational opportunities for English learners, led the development of the district's Multilingual Family Group and forged partnerships with community and government entities to support immigrant, migrant and refugee students and families. 

“Leah is a true advocate for the profession, and her dedication to the students she serves has led to positive and impactful outcomes,” says Dr. Carlettra Stanford, assistant superintendent of schools and learning. “We believe Leah will be instrumental in expanding and enriching multilingual education across MMSD, ensuring every multilingual learner has access to equitable and outstanding educational opportunities.

As Executive Director of Multilingual Education, Zepeda Vaughn will lead MMSD’s efforts in English as a Second Language (ESL), bilingual education and dual language immersion programs. Her responsibilities include:

• Providing the overall direction and leadership for the Office of Multilingual Programs and Services, such as developing educational priorities and long-range planning for ESL, bilingual, and dual language immersion programs.
• Partnering with higher education institutions, community organizations and other school districts to support multilingual education initiatives.
• Informing on ESL and bilingual education initiatives.

Most recently, Zepeda Vaughn served as director of Multilingual Programs and Services, providing programmatic and instructional leadership for over 5,000 English learners in English, Spanish and Hmong programs.

Zepeda Vaughn holds two master's degrees from UW–Madison in psychology and K-12 Leadership for Equity and Social Justice. Additionally, she holds Wisconsin Lifetime Licenses, including director of instruction, director of special education & pupil services, principal, bilingual education and English as a second language.

Learn more about MMSD’s Multilingual Programs and Services online.