Dr. Thelma Meléndez

U.S. Department of Education*

Dr. Thelma Meléndez de Santa Ana previously served as the Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education at the U.S. Department of Education, playing a pivotal role in policy and management issues and highlighting the needs of English language learners throughout the Department.

In this exclusive video interview with Colorín Colorado, Dr. Meléndez remembers her experiences as an English language learner growing up in California and discusses how that perspective has shaped her career as an educator and policymaker. The full transcript of Dr. Meléndez's interview and her biography are also available.

Video Interviews