Mayor's Office for Adult Literacy

Meet the MOAL Team - Federico Salas-Isnardi

Federico Salas-Isnardi, Director of the Mayor’s Office for Adult Literacy MOAL) in Houston, Texas, leads innovative collaborations to address issues at the intersection of adult education and equity. Arriving in this country as an adult, Federico did not speak English at the time. Within three years, he was teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and was on his way to earning a degree in linguistics. He holds a master’s degree in Linguistics and completed 48 hours of coursework toward a-never-finished PhD in Adult Education. A servant-leader by nature, Federico has served over 35 years in numerous roles in adult ESOL and literacy education in Houston and at the state and national levels. He is a recognized presenter, speaker, and consultant on issues of diversity, social justice, and leadership in education. An advocate for immigrants, religious minorities, and the LGBTQ+ population, he is active in many national and state professional organizations. Federico has coauthored textbooks for adult ESOL education and served on the panel that wrote the current naturalization test for the USCIS. In addition, he is active in his church, and in arts and community organizations. He sings bass with the church choir, collects masks, coffee mugs, and keychains from around the world, and, in his spare time, likes to garden. He and his wife of nearly 40 years host annual fundraisers at their home to support their church and literacy causes.