I am Dr. Gliset C. Morales, the proud owner and educational consultant behind this initiative. As a Puerto Rican woman born and raised in Buffalo, New York, I come from a working-class neighborhood known as the Valley. My roots trace back to Ceiba, Puerto Rico, and I carry the rich stories of my ancestors—Taíno (Indigenous), African, and European—in my work. I proudly identify as Hispanic and/or Latina, and my pronouns are ella, she, and her.
The logo for Valley Equity Consulting prominently features the color purple. Purple is not only my favorite color, but also symbolizes self-awareness and the deepening of inner understanding. My mission is to cultivate that same deep understanding among practitioners in the field of bilingual special education, with the goal of advancing Equity in the education of multilingual learners—both with and without disabilities.
I am currently an Associate Professor in the Exceptional Education Department at SUNY Buffalo State University, where I also coordinate the Bilingual Inclusive Education Graduate Certificate Program. In this role, I am dedicated to expanding pathways for bilingual teacher preparation, with a focus on special education, bilingual education, and the assessment of multilingual learners.
Beyond teaching, I focus on research and service aimed at supporting multilingual students with and without disabilities. My work includes distinguishing language difference from disorder within an MTSS framework, exploring trauma-informed practices for culturally diverse students, and emphasizing high-leverage practices for multilingual learners with disabilities. I also address the intersection of immigration and education, offering strategies for creating inclusive environments, and support families in multilingual communities by promoting engagement and fostering partnerships to enhance student success.
Recently, I have been exploring the intersection of art and advocacy, recognizing the power of art as a catalyst for social change. As co-founder of Amapola Arts, LLC, I have had the privilege of blending creative expression with my scholarly work to elevate the voices of marginalized communities, especially multilingual learners and students with disabilities. Through this work, I incorporate art into advocacy efforts, promoting equity and inclusion in both academic and artistic spaces. By merging education and creativity, I aim to create impactful environments for dialogue and transformation.
At Valley Equity Consulting, my goal is to empower educators, researchers, and practitioners to create inclusive, equitable, and supportive learning environments for multilingual students, especially those with disabilities.
