Bridging Cultures by Building Trust and Relationships
Angela Aldave, interim director of Community Relations, has been working with FCPS families since 2015. She began as a family liaison, then moved to family engagement region representative, and became a multilingual engagement specialist in 2022. Since then, she has quickly grown and transformed her role, becoming manager of Intercultural Engagement in 2022 and then interim director of Community Relations this year.
“Angela Aldave has a heart of service,” said Videographer Jeff Clark, when nominating Angie for FCPS Honors. “She is deeply committed to providing multilingual students and families with information and resources to better their lives. Her work connects families and caregivers with critical information they can leverage to give children the best possible education.”
Angie can remember being intimidated when she first arrived in the United States as a teenager. Initially, she intended to simply visit family. However, due to a financial crisis in her home country of Ecuador, her mother encouraged her to explore a better future in America. She was intimidated by the language and the structure and order of systems in the United States. “I was genuinely impressed by how seamlessly everything functioned, from the transportation system to the organization in grocery stores and traffic patterns,” she said.
Angie has been mission-driven to help multicultural families access programs, resources, and opportunities within FCPS that many may find intimidating — similar to how she felt when she first arrived in the U.S. When she began working in Community Relations, multilingual versions of the family newsletter, FCPS This Week, were sent a week later than the English version. After working with the Office of Communications to search for a more equitable system, now, they are sent around the same time the English version is sent. Angie has also overseen the creation of popular videos in many languages to explain the school year calendar. She approaches all of her work through an equity lens.
Angie said she was inspired to work for FCPS to “support and uplift my community.” She adds, “I’m passionate about engaging all voices to ensure student success.”
“Angie gives a voice to families from whom we historically had not heard,” said Tracey Wynne, senior manager of communications, who originally hired Angie. “She consistently goes above and beyond to bridge the communication gap for families who do not speak English as their primary language. Angie is dedicated to ensuring that families are informed about FCPS services, initiatives, and events and that they feel genuinely valued and included.”
And Angie hasn’t forgotten those she’s met on her journey at FCPS. Based on her background working as a family liaison, she now helps provide materials to schools that help guide parents and caregivers in becoming involved in their children's education.
“Angela creates kits that deliver information in a simple language so that every family — regardless of their background — can understand,” said Solangie McPherson, family liaison at Coates Elementary School. “Angela is committed to ensuring that families comprehend what is happening in FCPS.”
Angie was hired as the first multilingual engagement specialist in what was formerly known as the Office of Communications and Community Relations. She began the practice of having Spanish interpretation at every School Board meeting. Many weekends, you will find her and her staff, hosting or attending a community event, engaging families, and sharing information about FCPS.
“I prioritize open and honest intercultural engagement, striving to create a culturally responsive environment,” she said. While many people imagine intercultural engagement is largely about providing materials in other languages, Angie is quick to remind people that language is only one small part of a culture.
This Hispanic Heritage Month, Angie shared that she wishes people took more time to learn about all cultures. Angie notes that even within the Hispanic culture, “There’s a rich diversity that often goes unnoticed. It's important to understand that we approach life with deep emotion, and our core values are rooted in our families.”
As she works with FCPS families, “Building trust and fostering strong relationships is essential to ensuring that every voice is heard and valued throughout the educational journey,” she continued. “I strive to empathize with others, seeking to understand their experiences. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to engagement; we must continuously assess and experience what our families and communities go through to better serve all students.”
