I am fortunate to have earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida and am excited to take part in USF’s Career and Work Force Education doctoral program. After earning my bachelor’s degree in social work, I began my career in Hillsborough County Public Schools and have been employed for 15 years. My role as a dropout prevention teacher for migrant students has helped me advocate for families and students with unique circumstances. In addition, as a school counselor and guidance department head, I understood the importance of preparing all students for college/career readiness and how critical it is for students to explore a potential career path early in their childhood.
I am currently the Supervisor of Academic Programs for Hillsborough County Public Schools, the nation’s 8th largest school district. Hillsborough County Public Schools is not new to education reform. When our District partnered with The College Board and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to increase the college going rate and decrease the dropout prevention rate, I was a school counselor at one of the pilot sites, which is now a model for the District. My current work with the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Center, a college and career readiness program , has strengthened my role as a district administrator and improved the quality of teacher professional development. In addition, as the project manager and director of two Federal grants from the Department of Education including the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) and Smaller Learning Communities (SLC), I have fostered community partnerships, balanced budgets, and advocated on behalf of first generation college and career students.
As a parent and educator, I understand the importance of becoming educated in order to improve the community around you. As a former migrant student, I am passionate about researching and studying ways to improve the quality of education of migrant students and provide resources to educators through professional development and practical strategies that work. Therefore, I have committed the next stage of my life to earn a Doctoral degree in Philosophy from the University of South Florida in the Career and Work Force Education Program.
