Peggy Estrada

Peggy Estrada was an associate research scientist in the Latin American and Latino Studies Department at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Her research focused on promoting academic achievement and social-emotional development among culturally and linguistically diverse students, with a particular emphasis on English learners and Latino students. She partnered with public school districts to address field-, policy-, and practice-relevant questions using sociocultural lenses and mixed methods. Estrada began her career as a preschool teacher and later taught in public schools for migrant education in rural northern California. Her work has been featured in Education Week for its insights into the challenges English language learners face in transitioning to middle and high school. Estrada earned a BA in child development and an elementary teaching credential from California State University, Chico, and a PhD in child and adolescent development from the Stanford Graduate School of Education.

updated 2025