EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
I am honored to serve as OCASA Executive Director. It is wonderful coming back home in this capacity since I retired in 2018. I served the children and families of Orange County Public Schools for 30 years and deeply love our district. I served in many roles during my career. I have been a substitute teacher, special education teacher, curriculum resource teacher, high school dean, assistant principal, first Hispanic middle school principal, first Hispanic high school principal of one of the largest schools in Florida, a district learning community executive director, district associate superintendent for Exceptional Student Education and area superintendent. I earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of South Florida in Exceptional Education and have also been a recipient of two fellowships during my career as an educator. I have a Master of Education in Educational Leadership through the Danforth II Scholars program at the University of Central Florida and a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Central Florida in collaboration with the National Urban Special Education Leadership Initiative.
During my time away I have continued to work with families and schools to serve the needs of students with disabilities through my company Disability Expert Solutions LLC. I also coach principals in the area of leadership and serve as a Lead Evaluator with Cognia in both the Global and Institutional Improvement Divisions. The work of schools has not stopped. In fact, it has become more challenging in this ever-changing environment filled with numerous challenges. In the face of these challenges, each time it has been leadership that has brought us through. In whatever capacity that you are serving on your campus, all those around you look to you to lead. Amid the change that is happening around you, they look to see how you react and follow your lead. Your words and presence possess great impact and make a difference in the lives that have been put in your care to lead. To represent you is one of the greatest honors in my career. As Past President of OCASA, I know how important it is to bring forth the needs and concerns of our membership while working collaboratively with decision-makers. As your Executive Director, I will continue the work to build relationships with School Board Members and Cabinet Members. I also will be a point of contact if you need information or have any concerns that you would like to bring forward.