Gilmara Vila Nova-Mitchell has been a Professional Learning Consultant at Heartland Area Education Agency since 2006. Gilmara serves school districts in Central Iowa providing professional development to educators with a focus on equity and cultural proficiency.  She is currently assigned to serve the Des Moines Public Schools, supporting the district’s equity effort.
 
Born in Brazil, Gilmara moved to the United States in 2001. She holds a Bachelor of Multicultural Education from FUMEC University (Brazil) and a MSE in School Counseling from Drake University. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior with a focus on trust in the workplace.
 
Prior to becoming a consultant, Gilmara led a successful teaching career for 11 years, as an elementary teacher in Brazil as well as in the United States, working in private, public, and international schools.