Rivera-Cruz, a former educator, will serve as the organization’s first Director of Alumni and Network Engagement. 

Boston, Massachusetts – Latinos for Education announced former educator Carla Rivera-Cruz as the organization’s first Director of Alumni and Network Engagement. Rivera-Cruz will serve as a resource to Latinos for Education’s growing alumni network and support past fellows in their career growth, lead engagement initiatives for Latinx teachers and education leaders nationwide, and connect alumni with the organization’s national policy agenda. 

Rivera-Cruz has dedicated nearly two decades of her career to supporting students and teachers in the K-16 ecosystem as a teacher, instructional coach, and elected school board member. Before joining Latinos for Education, Carla led a team of Success Coaches for ReUp Education who worked with diverse students in higher education to help them complete their degrees. During her career, Carla has focused on providing  professional development and strategic coaching to other Latinx leaders, and approached education as a social justice movement. 

“My experience has been that as a Latina you get excited to sit at the table, and then you realize you are the only one at the table. I’m excited to have a hand in making sure that there are more Latinos sitting at that table, because doing it alone is not possible,” said Rivera-Cruz. “This role will allow me to give Latinos the tools and support they need so that they don’t feel alone when they are in these positions of influence and to encourage their ongoing professional growth.”

Latinos for Education offers three core professional development programs that are helping elevate the voice of Latinos within the education sector, including The Aspiring Latino Leaders Fellowship, Latino Board Fellowship, and Latinx Teacher Fellowship, and between all three programs; they have a network of 381 alumni nationwide. The organization also oversees EdCentro, a virtual community of over 2,000 Latinx leaders interested in careers within the education sector. 

Rivera-Cruz served as an elected member of the Creighton Elementary School District in Phoenix, Arizona; was the owner of a K-12 education consulting company; an instructional coach with Teach For America. She has experience teaching Spanish and Social Entrepreneurship and is a Teach For America, University of Florida, and University of Central Florida alumna. 

Rivera-Cruz is a proud Puerto Rican who owes her success to countless mentors and is passionate about being able to pay it forward to her community through her work. 

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About Latinos for Education:

Latinos for Education is an education non-profit organization focused on developing, placing, and connecting essential Latino talent in the education sector. The organization is mobilizing a network of skilled education leaders to ensure the voice of students and families is not only heard but factored into decision-making in schools, communities and education institutions throughout the U.S. The organization also ensures Latino education professionals have access to a nationwide network of peers as well as career and professional development opportunities across the country through the members-only EdCentro network. For more information visit: https://www.latinosforeducation.org.

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