M-DCPS Honors Outstanding Principal, Assistant Principal of the Year

Miguel Veloso, who serves as principal of Miami Springs Adult Education Center, won top honors as the District’s Principal of the Year. Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) honored its finest principals and assistant principals at an awards ceremony sponsored by the Dade Association of School Administrators (DASA), last night at DoubleTree by Hilton.

Veloso began his 24-year education career as a Social Science teacher at Booker T. Washington Middle School. He then was promoted to Assistant Principal of Miami Southridge Senior High School before going to Miami Springs Adult Education in 2006.

Rhonda Gaines of Carol City Senior High School was recognized as Assistant Principal of the Year. Gaines began her career with M-DCPS as a Reading/Language Arts teacher at Allapattah Middle School in 2003. She has served as an Assistant Principal at Carol City since 2017. 

The Principal of the Year winner receives a $2,000 cash prize, a three-year lease on a car sponsored by Toyota of North Miami, a signature ring from Herff Jones and a special gift basket valued at more than $1,500. The Assistant Principal of the Year receives a $1,500 cash prize, a signature ring from Herff Jones, a 75-inch television from Toyota of North Miami and a special gift basket valued at more than $1,000.

Also recognized at the ceremony were Principal of the Year Runner-up Martin Reid of Arthur & Polly Mays Conservatory of the Arts and Assistant Principal of the Year Runner-up Louis Dash of Miami Springs Adult Education Center.

Photo Caption: Left to right: School Board Members Lubby Navarro, Susie V. Castillo, Dr. Steve Gallon III, 

Assistant Principal of the Year Rhonda Gaines, Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho, School Board Members 

Mari Tere Rojas, Dr. Martin Karp and Dr. Marta Pérez.