NYSALAS 20/20 Latino Vision Virtual Symposium

NYSALAS 20/20 Latino Vision Virtual Symposium

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18Nov, 2020

Mrs. Rodriguez

Mrs. Rodriguez has served as superintendent of schools for the Monroe-Woodbury Central School District, one of the largest public school districts in Orange County, New York since 2015.

Prior to that, she was the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction in Monroe-Woodbury from 2012-2014, and served as interim director, secondary education, from 2010-2012. Mrs. Rodriguez was also principal of the Monroe-Woodbury Middle School from 2005-2012 and assistant principal from 2001-2005.

Mrs. Rodriguez’s years of experience have provided her a K-12 perspective on all aspects of educational programs and insights in how to meet the diverse needs of learners. Her career began in the classroom where she served as a fifth grade teacher, an eighth grade teacher and then branched out as a guidance counselor in a private school district. She then served as dean of students and a high school social studies teacher in the East Ramapo Central School District.

Mrs. Rodriguez earned a bachelor's degree from Manhattan College, Riverdale, NY; master’s degree from Iona College, New Rochelle, NY; school administrator/supervisor certification from The College of New Rochelle, New Rochelle, NY: and school district leader certification from Bank Street College, New York, NY.

She is a member of The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and the New York State Council of School Superintendents. She is the President-Elect of the New York State Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents. Mrs. Rodriguez was awarded the 2012 New York State Association for Women in Administration Pathfinder Award, the 2014 New York State English Council Educator of Excellence Award, 2018 Educational Leadership Award and was named the 2019 Education Icon of the Hudson Valley. She was a presenter at the 2016 New York State School Board Association annual conference.

Elsie Rodriguez resides in Warwick, NY, with her husband Juan. She has two grown children and is the proud grandmother of two grandchildren.

Mr. Eudes S. Budhai

Mr. Eudes S. Budhai is the Superintendent of the Westbury Union Free School District, New York. He is a visionary and innovative leader with a keen sense of forward thinking to shape the lives of children, families and communities.  He has served in various capacities in the field of education for 28 years.  

Mr. Budhai’ s educational experience began in a private school as an assistant teacher working with students who required extensive emotional and academic support. Since then, he has served as a teacher, staff developer, Department Chairperson, a building and district administrator, and an adjunct professor.   

Mr. Budhai serves on various local, state and national organizations as an instructional leader advocating equitable opportunities for ALL students. He has been instrumental in developing curriculum, providing professional development to administrators, teachers and families and securing funds that enhance the educational experiences to reduce the equity gap for the lives of students. He supported various states adoption of the Seal of Biliteracy during his Presidency of National Association of Bilingual Education (NABE). Mr. Budhai has been recognized by District Administrator and NYSED for sustaining graduation rates for students of color above the states average and NYSED Model School Research of Excellence.   

Mr. Budhai has earned a Bachelor’s of Science in. Elementary Education/ Special Education, a Master’s of Science in Multicultural/Bilingual Education, Professional Diploma in Educational and Supervision Leadership and is currently a doctoral candidate."

Mayra Ortiz

Current:

  • Director of Student Support Services, Syracuse City School District.

Former:

  • Formerly Director of Bilingual and ENL for 2 of NY’s Big 5 districts.
  • Principal Elementary School
  • Vice Principal
  • Assistant Director of Language and Placement Center
  • Bilingual Teacher in Transitional and Dual Language programs in Rochester and on Long Island

Consultant:

  • RBERN/OCM BOCES
  • KOT Consulting- From Kuwait

NYSABE Bilingual Administrator of the Year 2018


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.