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Denise Olivera Schira

Deniseschira.ds@gmail.com

Denise Olivera Schira currently serves as Director of School Culture and Climate supporting 250 PK-12 schools in Manhattan in social emotional learning, restorative practices, crisis de-escalation intervention, anti-bias training, bullying prevention, behavior support, emotionally and culturally responsive training, environment, mindfulness, and student services compliance. She is currently on the Executive Boards of Council of School Supervisors and Administrators, Latino Caucus CSA, and New York State Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents, where she serves as Vice President and Regional Director for New York City. She has previously served on the Executive Boards of Education Administrators Association and Association of Dominican-American Supervisors and Administrators, and is additionally affiliated with New York Academy of Public Education, New York League of Puerto Rican Women, New York Puerto Rican Day Parade Education Leadership.

Ms. Schira has been a NYC educator for over 25 years, having served in prior roles as Deputy Network Leader and Director of Student Services and Operations (supporting 35 schools in 4 boroughs across 12 districts), Assistant Superintendent Deputy Executive Director of Operations and Student Services (supporting 350 Bronx schools, director over a team of 9 Borough Directors and departments, and 80 staff members), Lead Manager of Operations and Student Services (supporting 280 Queens schools, 9 Borough Directors and departments, and 65 staff members), Special Assistant to Regional Superintendents (supporting 130 Bronx schools, 17 Superintendents, and 520 administrators), Special Projects Regional Coordinator, Regional Reading and Assessment Coordinator, Regional Literacy Coach, Assistant Principal, Literacy/Math/Science/Art Staff Developer, School Leadership Team Chair, and Bilingual/Monolingual Teacher. She has been recognized and honored by various organizations for her excellence in educational leadership.

Denise was born, raised, and still resides in the Bronx. She was the first in her Puerto Rican family to go away to college and graduated from Cornell University on a full ride as a Cornell Tradition Scholar with a Bachelor of Science. She later obtained her Master of Science in Education for Leadership in Supervision at Bank Street College of Education. Flamenco dance brings balance and joy to her busy scholastic life, but her greatest inspirations are her two sons, Ryan (32) and Devan (30), and her soul mate of 38 years, Peter.


Dr. Roberto Padilla

Dr. Roberto Padilla is the Superintendent of the Newburgh Enlarged City School District in Newburgh, New York.  From humble beginnings as a child, Padilla learned early on in his life the true meaning of resiliency and grit.  He is a life-long educator having been a teacher, assistant principal, principal, coach, and leadership consultant. Even today, he considers himself a teacher who just happens to be a superintendent.

Padilla was a teacher and principal in New York City. He is widely recognized for his leadership in turning around failing schools and supporting school district leaders both nationally and internationally on change leadership. He considers himself to be an equity warrior whose purpose is to give all children a fighting chance at having a productive life. He is committed to placing effective teachers and school leaders in every school.

In 2019, Dr. Padilla was honored with the prestigious Leaders to Learn From award by Education Weekly. This national recognition highlighted his work in a leading districtwide culture focused on educational equity.

Dr. Padilla was appointed to Harvard University’s Principal Center’s Advisory Board where he also has served as a group leader and moderator.  He received his doctorate from Fordham University. Padilla is a graduate of the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents Academy and the AASA Superintendent National Certification Program. He was a fellow at Columbia University and was a Deeper Equity Fellow with the International National Network of Public Schools. He has served on many non-profit Boards and leadership panels throughout his career.

Alex Marrero

Alex has earned degrees and professional certificates from Fordham University, Manhattan College, Sage Colleges, and Harvard University. In 2015, Alex was invited by the Brazilian Consulate to deliver workshops to their principals and superintendents. In 2016, he was honored as the outstanding administrator by the Latino Caucus of the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators (CSA) and inducted into the New York Academy of Public Education. In 2017, he was the recipient of the Leadership and Excellence in Education Award by the Association of Dominican-American Supervisors and Administrators. In 2018 he was recognized as the Latino Administrator of the Year by the Association for Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS).

  As Principal in the Bronx, he moved his school from a Local Assistance Plan to a School in Good Standing while serving on the Executive Board for the Council of School Administrators, representing over 1,700 principals across the City of New York.  As Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education at East Ramapo School District, he assisted moving several schools into Good Standing while increasing the graduation rates for the high schools.

Alex currently an Assistant Superintendent at the City School District of New Rochelle.

This link provides a part of Alex’s journey:

https://vimeo.com/282074738

 "Growing up in the Bronx was not a life sentence for Alex Marrero – it was motivation to achieve something better. Little did he know he would end up leading a school that was in the very place where he played stickball with his brother when they rested from their work selling Avon products on the street."

@DrAlexMarrero on twitter

 linkedin.com/in/drmarrero on LinkedIN

Dr. David Mauricio

Dr. David Mauricio joined the Peekskill City School District as Superintendent of Schools in July of 2018.

 Born in New York City, Dr. Mauricio was raised by his mother and father, both of whom are Latinos.  His father was born in the Dominican Republic to a large family.  His mother was born in Puerto Rico.  While his home was not financially wealthy, Mauricio’s life was rich in love, guidance, religion, a sense of family and a strong work ethic.  His parents taught him to give to others and this virtue was evident in how the family lived.  These realities and perspectives drove Dr. Mauricio to work hard in order to be successful in life.  Many mentors and caring adults have assisted him throughout his entire life, leading him to become the person he is today.

Dr. Mauricio graduated from the New York City Public School system. He pursued his post-secondary education in Buffalo where he received the following degrees: BS in Ed., Special Education & Elementary Education from S.U.N.Y. College at Buffalo; MS in Ed., Bilingual Special Education from S.U.N.Y. College at Buffalo; Certificate of Advanced Study, School Administrator and Supervisor from S.U.N.Y. College at Buffalo; and Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy from University at Buffalo. 

Upon graduating from college, Dr. Mauricio began working for the Buffalo Public Schools and spent 25 years working for these schools in the following capacities: Special Education Teacher (Monolingual and Bilingual) at School #33; Educational Specialist, Committee on Special Education (CSE), Director and Supervisor of Special Education, Principal of Lorraine Elementary School, Principal of Bennett High School and Community Superintendent.

Additionally, Dr. Mauricio is a co-founding member and President-elect of the New York State Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents.

Dr. Mauricio has always been extremely committed to the betterment of the communities he has worked with, and has received numerous recognition for his efforts and achievements.

Today, he is able to give back to his mother by helping to care for her in the golden years of life.  He is husband to Kimberly and a father to a son and daughter.