Campaign website: vote4pena.com
Candidate Q&A: The questions below are based on voter questions and expressed priorities. Each of the candidates within a race were asked the same questions and given the same amount of time to respond. The candidates’ answers were fact checked, checked for spelling and grammar but otherwise unedited.
If elected, what are the most pressing problems you want to address, and what do you suggest to solve them? Please list each issue and how you will address them:
Strengthening Academic Excellence
Every student deserves access to a high-quality education that prepares them for college, careers, and civic life. I will support evidence-based instruction, expand access to bilingual education, STEAM, and career pathways, and ensure students have the academic and support services they need to succeed.
Recruiting and Retaining Outstanding Educators
Strong schools begin with great teachers. I will advocate for competitive salaries, meaningful professional development, leadership opportunities, and supportive working conditions that help recruit and retain highly qualified teachers and staff while reducing turnover.
Protecting and Strengthening Public Schools
Our public schools must remain the cornerstone of our community. I will advocate for responsible funding, greater accountability for schools receiving public dollars, proactive planning to address enrollment challenges, and transparent decision-making that keeps students and families at the center.
How should the district handle teacher shortages?
Addressing teacher shortages requires a comprehensive approach to both recruitment and retention. While competitive compensation is essential, educators also need meaningful professional development, mentorship, opportunities for career growth, and supportive working conditions that allow them to focus on teaching and learning. Districts that invest in their educators are better positioned to retain experienced teachers, reduce turnover, and provide students with the continuity and high-quality instruction they deserve.
Florida ranked last for academic growth in reading. How would you improve that?
Improving reading achievement requires a sustained commitment to evidence-based literacy instruction, early intervention, and supporting educators. We must ensure teachers have access to high-quality professional development grounded in the science of reading, identify struggling students early, and provide targeted interventions before learning gaps widen. We should also strengthen family engagement and ensure schools have the instructional resources necessary to support literacy development. Reading proficiency is the foundation for success across every subject, and improving outcomes must remain one of the district’s highest academic priorities.
What changes, if any, would you make to school safety policies?
School safety requires continuous evaluation, not a one-time solution. I support regularly reviewing and strengthening safety protocols based on best practices and the evolving needs of our schools. While physical security is important, we must continue investing in threat assessment, mental health services, bullying prevention, and strong partnerships among schools, families, and law enforcement. The most effective school safety strategies combine prevention, early intervention, and a positive school climate so every student feels safe, supported, and able to learn.
How should book challenges and library removals be handled?
Book challenges should be addressed through a transparent, consistent review process that follows state law and district policy. Decisions should involve qualified educators, librarians, and appropriate review committees, with meaningful opportunities for parent input. Individual concerns deserve thoughtful consideration, but instructional materials should be evaluated based on educational value, age appropriateness, and established academic standards—not political pressure. Our goal should be to provide students with access to high-quality learning materials while maintaining transparency and respecting the role of families in their children’s education.
What outside organizations or endorsements are supporting your campaign?
U.S. Congressman Maxwell Frost; Florida State Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith; Florida State Representative Anna Eskamani; Orange County Classroom Teachers Association (Teachers’ Union); Former Assistant Deputy Secretary and Director at the U.S. Department of Education Montserrat Garibay; Florida State Representative Rita Harris; Florida State Representative Johanna Lopez; Florida State Senator Victor Torres; Orange County School Board Member Angie Gallo; Orange County School Board Member Maria Salamanca; Orange County School Board Member Anne Douglas; Orange County School Board Member Stephanie Vanos; Orange County School Board Member Teresa Castillo; Orange County Property Appraiser Amy Mercado; Orange County Tax Collector Scott Randolph; Orange-Osceola Public Defender Melissa Vickers; Orange County Commissioner Kelly Semrad; Equality Florida Action PAC; Network for Public Education Action; Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) Action Fund; Ruth’s List Florida; Emgage Action; Democratic Hispanic Caucus of Florida; Rainbow Democrats; Hispanic Chamber of Florida.
If elected, what policy would you try to pass in your first year?
I would work to establish a districtwide strategic plan for multilingual learner success, expanding access to dual language programs, strengthening support services for English learners, and increasing professional development for educators. Orange County is home to a diverse student population, and every student should have access to programs that build academic success while preparing them to thrive in a multilingual, global workforce.
This Voters Guide was produced by the News Collaborative of Central Florida, a collective of independent local news outlets and aligned partners working toward a more informed and engaged Central Florida.