An Interview with Viridiana Luna Sanchez, EPAA’s Bilingual Parent Liaison

Viridiana Luna Sanchez, EPAA Bilingual Parent Liaison

Q: What do you do at EPAA?

A: My role as Parent Liaison is to advocate for EPAA families, and connect them to the resources they need. When parents have meetings with leadership, teachers, or staff members, they can include me.  I serve as their advocate. I help bridge the gap between what parents want to ask and what they need while also translating when necessary. My goal is to fully support them and, more importantly, empower them to advocate for themselves.

I also connect parents to resources such as housing, legal services, and food distribution. If a parent comes to me with a need, I leverage my knowledge of the community to connect them with the right services. For example, I work closely with local legal services and food pantries and introduce parents to platforms like OneDegree, which provides accessible resource listings based on location and needs.

Beyond my official duties, I also run all parent meetings, plan events, and coordinate ELAC and grade-level meetings.

Q: Why did you choose to work at EPAA?

A: I was raised in this community and still live here. My passion for my community is what keeps me here. I see myself in many of our students—the struggles, trauma, and injustices that people of color often face. My experiences drive me to support and empower families in navigating these challenges.

Previously, I worked at The Primary School in East Palo Alto for 7 years. My decision to transition to EPAA was driven by my passion for making a broader impact, supporting families beyond the classroom, and equipping them with the skills to advocate for themselves.

Q: Can you tell me about the Parent and Student Wellbeing Space?

A: The Wellbeing Space is a safe haven for students, families, and staff to address physical and mental health needs. It serves as a hub where students can receive medical attention from our health aide and nurse, therapy from Stanford-affiliated therapists, or support from one of our many community partners. It's also a fun and welcoming place where students can relax, play board games, do art, or simply hang out before starting their day. For staff, it's a space to take a break and recharge. 

Q: Why is the Wellbeing Space important?

A: We live in a time of immense stress— post-pandemic challenges, political tensions, and economic difficulties. As educators, we give so much of ourselves to others, but we must remember to take care of our own well-being to continue our work effectively. The same goes for students and families; they need a place to unwind and recharge.

Q: Has anything surprised you about the space?

A:. The impact the space has made is incredible, and it's entirely driven by the dedication of our teachers and staff. We saw a need and responded, and the demand has exceeded our expectations. We’re now looking at data to customize support plans for students and improve our services.

Q: What is your vision for the space?

A: My dream is to transform the space into a full-fledged wellness center with offices and  private rooms. This would create a more confidential and comfortable environment for those seeking help. I’d like to  be able to create individualized plans for students, and have a dedicated staff member to manage the space, document student visits, coordinate with counselors, and lead wellness initiatives like yoga or healthy habits classes. 

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