SummaryGabriella Bermea, a design architect and associate with VLK Architects, discusses her journey into architecture and her passion for K-12 architecture. She shares her early interest in architecture, the challenges she faced in architecture school, and the importance of K-12 facilities. Gabriella also talks about budget constraints in K-12 architecture and the concept of having all grade levels in one facility. She emphasizes the need for school funding and advocacy. Additionally, she highlights her involvement in the Pflugerville Education Foundation and the importance of empowering women in male-dominated professions. The conversation covers the importance of mentorship and representation, community involvement and social justice, making architecture more accessible, and the need for diverse representation in the profession. Gabriella Bermea discusses the importance of representation in education and the challenges faced by minority educators. She emphasizes the need to support and empower minority educators through mentorship and networks. Gabriella also highlights the role of advocacy in bringing about change in the education system. She explains how representation positively impacts students and shares strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome. Finally, she encourages aspiring educators to pursue licensure and continue their professional growth.Pflugerville Education FoundationChapters