M-DCPS EDUCATORS, STUDENTS HONORED WITH CERVANTES AWARDS

MIAMI – Eight Miami-Dade County Public Schools educators were among the honorees at last night’s Cervantes Outstanding Educator Awards presented by Nova Southeastern University’s Fischler School of Education and Human Services at the Miami Hyatt Regency Hotel.  The annual awards honor those who have made a significant contribution in the education of Hispanic students in Miami-Dade County.

Those honored are listed below:

Dr. Rudolph F. “Rudy” Crew, Superintendent, Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Nominated by School Board Member Solomon Stinson, Dr. Crew’s vision for the school system is the elimination of low-performing schools, increasing academic achievement for all students and bringing cost-efficiency to the District’s construction and business practices.

Alberto M. Carvalho, Associate Superintendent, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, Grants Administration, & Community Services
Nominated by School Board Member Martin Karp, Carvalho currently is spearheading the implementation of The Parent Academy, an initiative designed to help parents become full partners in their children’s education.

Dr. Joanne H. Urrutia, AdministrativeDirector, Division of Bilingual Education and World Languages
Nominated by School Board Member Agustin J. Barrera, Dr. Urrutia has been instrumental in the expansion of the Extended Foreign Language program and the International Studies program.

Rosa D. Borgen, Principal, Lindsey Hopkins Educational Center|
Nominated by School Board Chair Frank J. Bolaños, Borgen has been an educator in the Miami-Dade County school system for more than 30 years and has been principal at four different schools.

Peter Cabrera, Principal, Caribbean Elementary School
Nominated by School Board Member Evelyn Langlieb Greer, Cabrera was part of the Urban Systemic Initiative research through the University of Miami that analyzed cultural congruency and differences.

Dr. Robert G. Valenzuela, Principal, M.A. Milam K-8 Center
Nominated by School Board Member Perla Tabares Hantman, Dr. Valenzuela currently implements a bilingual program that extends from Kindergarten through 8thgrade at M.A. Milam K-8 Center, a first of its kind.

Bridget L. Washington, Director of Student Activities, Miami Carol City Senior High School
Nominated by School Board Vice Chair Robert B. Ingram, Washington has been heralded as the “Most Significant Teacher” in M-DCPS. Her work as a mentor/matron for teenage girls has allowed her to transform the lives of many underserved youths in the community.

Eric Hueck, Teacher, Miami Senior High School
Nominated by School Board Member Ana Rivas Logan, Hueck, a former Miami-Dade Region Teacher of the Year, currently serves as chairperson for the Miami High Science Department, as coordinator for the Advanced Placement Program, as chairperson for the Curriculum Council and as President-elect for the Dade County Science Teachers’ Association.

Also honored was Fernando Zulueta, President of Academica Corporation. A School Board Member Dr. Marta Perez nominee, Zulueta has established numerous charter schools including Mater Academy, Doral Academy and Pinecrest Academy, which serve thousands of Hispanic students.

At the awards ceremony, nine students were also honored with the Cervantes Outstanding Student Essay Award. They were Yesid Cardenas, Calusa Elementary; Geliani Perez, Devon Aire Elementary; Olga Herrera, Riverside Elementary; Gabriela Gonzalez, Riviera Middle; Kevin Prada, Howard Doolin Middle; Jessica Alvarez, Jose Marti Middle; Diana Restrepo, Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior; Dina Placeres, Miami Beach Senior; and Carolina Botero, Doral Academy Charter High.

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05-LJG/076/JAA

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