Educational Leadership
Coordination of Student Services & Professional Development
Please see a photo gallery of events, student services, and professional development sessions I have coordinated, implemented, or facilitated throughout my career.
Family and Community Engagement
In conjunction with the Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, I coordinated an event to allow community partners to connect with Buffalo Schools' departments and receive information about aquiring an MWBE status for their organization.
One of the most important parts of being a Community Engagement Supervisor is connecting with the communtiy. Bimonthly, I held RFPQ (request for prequalification) meetings to allow potential community partners to receive valuable infomormation. Occasionally, I would also meet with these organizations independently to address specific questions about the RFPQ process for family and student programs.
Buffalo Schools received a $1.6 million grant to provide a series of free market style markets to give New York State produced products to the local community. A pivotal part of the implamtation of the farmers' markets was the organization of volumteers. I was responsible for coordinating over 100 volunteers for these markets.
In 2023, Buffalo Schools resumed their Parent Summit after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Department of Family and Community Engagement created this event to honor and support Buffalo Schools' students and their caregivers. As the Community Engagement Supervisor, I was able to assist in the coordination and planning of this event. Over 70 vendors and departments attended, giving out free resources to families and providing a day of fun.
The annual BPS Family Summit is one of Buffalo School's largest events of the year. I worked with the JROTC to coordinate volunteers at the summit, post colors during the opening ceremony, and lead the community parade.
I worked with Parent Engagement Liaisons as volunteers at the Parent Summit event. They worked with the Family Engagement team to prepare materials and support programming.
The annual BPS Family Summit is one of Buffalo School's most prominent events for the Buffalo Schools community. During this event, I helped to coordinate and lead parent and community volunteers.
The Department of Family and Community Engagement for Buffalo Schools presented awards to parents, caregivers, students, and community organizations that went above and beyond expectations to support Buffalo Schools' students and families. As the Community Engagement Supervisor, I was honored to participate in coordinating and implementing this event.
As part of the BPS Parent Summit, the awards ceremony is an important way that the Department of Family and Community Engagement honors key parents, staff, and students who make parent and community engagement possible. I helped to support, plan, and prepare this wonderful event.
Parent Engagement Liaisons are an important part of Buffalo Schools. These parent and community leaders work to be a liaison between the school and its families. The Department of Family and Community Engagement has monthly trainings to keep Parent Engagement Liaisons up to date and ready to work with our BPS families. I was part of their monthly professional development.
Office of School Leadership
Office of Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Initiatives
The Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect
Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect performed the Letters from Anne and Martin in Buffalo Schools. I worked with select schools to bring public and private schools in the Buffalo area together. These schools partnered to discuss the political and social justice history of our area. Students compared their shared history with other major events in history, such as the story of Anne Frank and Martin Luther King Jr. Students then became history docents and taught their peers about Anne Frank, Martin Luther King Jr., and our local history.
Scholars from Burgard High School and Nichols School worked together to learn and discuss the life of Anne Frank and Martin Luther King Jr.
Students participated in “round table” discussions about race, ethnicity, current events, culture in our schools and our society.
Scholarly Programs- Our Story Project
While working as a district coordinator, I had the opportunity to design, implement, and coordinate scholarly programs for the Buffalo School District. I coordinated a scholarly program called Our Story Project that worked with selected students in four high schools in Buffalo, NY. Our Story Project is made up of 9th to 12th-grade scholars from across the Buffalo School District. A culturally and linguistically responsive teaching curriculum is used as the framework for this program so that scholars learn about their own history, social justice, and are able to see themselves in the curriculum. Hip-hop literacy and technology skills are also embedded into the program to promote scholars' voices in advocating for social justice and 21st-century skills. Additionally, scholars take part in leadership development opportunities and culturally relevant field trips, all of which support scholars with achieving their own academic and personal commitment goals.
Our Story Project learned how to make healthy, plant-based, Soul Food through a remote session with a local Soul Food restaurant. Students then discussed "food deserts," the origin of Soul Food, and how to maintain healthy eating.
Our Story Project gathered every week to discuss social justice issues.
Scholars in Our Story Project learned how to make healthy, plant-based, Soul Food.
Our Story Project scholars discussed "food deserts," the origin of Soul Food, and how to maintain healthy eating.
Our Story scholars made African inspired jewelry with Dovi Girls African Elements.
Teacher and Program Coordinator Events
Social Emotional Learning- Restorative Circles Training Video
Restorative Practices were highly successful in my classroom. I often reached out to do additional training and volunteer work within my school to further my SEL and Restorative Practices work. As a result, I was asked to help create the district-wide training video. (Timestamp: 4 min 11 Seconds)
Program Coordinator- Closing the Gap
While in the role of Program Coordinator, I was able to work with School #53 and the South Buffalo Promise Zone schools grant in the Buffalo Public Schools System. In this role, I was responsible for data-driven decision-making for student services, coordinated outside services to provide supplemental supports to students and families, and the overall improvement of school programs. Below are some examples of parent and student programs I coordinated.
To encourage student retention, I created a "Parent Runway" that recognized parents who participated in student activities or whose children had 100 % attendance during the month.
"Parent Runway" recognized parents who participated in student activities or whose children had 100 % attendance during the month. This event took place quarterly.
"Parent Runway" was a favorite at PS#53!
"Parent Runway" honored parents that went over and beyond what was asked of them.
South Promise Zone monthly parent events were open to the public and features a special guest speaker each session. These sessions included social emotional support resources, legal services, and social services for parents.
Parents were recognized at an end of the year event at PS #53.
PS#53 students participated in the Girls in Sports event where they enjoyed dance, sports, and movement.
I coordinated parent volunteers at School #53 for the annual parent cookout. Parents prepare food for students at the end of the year field day.
The Buffalo Bills chose 12 schools for their annual charity event. As Program Coordinator, I selected students based on their needs, communicated with Buffalo Bills associates, and attended the charity event with selected students where they received many presents and needed resources.
"Parent Runway" parents honorees enjoyed a breakfast after the award ceremony.
Students in the LIT program at PS#53 described their service project at the culminating LIT district event.
Students in the LIT program at PS#53 described their service project at the culminating LIT district event.
PS#53 students were excited for the Girls in Sports event at the Buffalo Bills indoor Facility, sponsored by Mary Wilson.
Creation of PS# 76 Herman Badillo Bilingual Academy’s
Student Council Leaders Program
Students at Herman Badillo Academy learned about Unites States voting, elections, and the campaigning process. When I noticed there was a high level of interest in this topic, I developed a program for 7th and 8th graders that mimicked government processes and inspired leadership among students. This program allowed students to create campaign videos, engage in political science concepts, facilitate Red Ribbon Week (anti-bullying and anti-drug awareness) events, improve school issues, and raise money and items for local community charities.
Student Council members asked each student at Herman Badillo Academy to write a statement about "how we are connected" on a link to the paper chain. Students then connected each link to show how we are a community. This was displayed in the lunchroom.
During Red Ribbon Week, Student Council members left encouraging messages on each locker in the school to encourage anti-bullying.
Student Council distributed bottles of water with encouraging messages to encourage healthy living. This fundraiser raised over $250 for the school's cultural arts program.
Student Council members collected brand new stuffed animals to donate at the Oishei Children's Hospital for the youth long-term cancer unit.
Student Council assembled bottles of water with encouraging messages to encourage healthy living.
Student Council assembled bottles of water with encouraging messages to encourage healthy living.
Student Council members were asked to present at a district-wide student event.
Student Council members asked each student at Herman Badillo Academy to write a statement about "how we are connected" on a strip of paper. Students Council members then connected each link to show how we are a community.
Student Council assisted the principal in the Red Ribbon Week presentations.
Creation of PS#76 Herman Badillo Academy
Annual Team Building Event
After Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, Herman Badillo Bilingual Academy saw an influx of Puerto Rican students seeking refuge in the Buffalo, NY area. Due to this influx, another teacher leader teamed up with me to plan a team-building event for the 7th and 8th-grade students to help build relationships and maintain the family atmosphere of the school. It was such a success that we planned this event each year in September thereafter.
Team Building 2017
Team Building 2018
Team Building 2018
Team Building 2017
Team Building 2017
Team Building 2017
PBIS Committee & Incentives
In the role of teacher for Buffalo Public Schools and Program Coordinator for Closing the Gap through Catholic Charities, I was part of the Positive Behavior Intervention System (PBIS) Committee. This committee was responsible for creating and sustaining positive, effective, and culturally-inclusive environments that support academic and social success for all students. I was responsible for data collection and interpretation of attendance trends within PS#76, incentives for positive student behavior at PS#76, PS#96, and PS#131 Alternative Academy.
Students filled out a heart with their name on it for every completed unit of their online learning program. Once they reached their unit goal, they received a special lunch. (2018)
Students earned positive behavior points in each class. Students who reached the minimum goal each quarter were allowed to attend a field trip. Students enjoyed a trip to the Buffalo Science Museum. (2019)
Seventh and either grade students enjoyed a trip to Rainbow Roller Rink (2018) in North Tonawanda, NY. Students earned positive behavior points in each class. Students who reached the minimum goal attended this field trip.
Students enjoyed a trip to the Cave of the Winds 2019 in Niagara Falls, NY. Students earned positive behavior points in each class. Students who reached the minimum goal each quarter were allowed to attend a field trip.
Fountain Plaza ice skating rink (2019) in Buffalo, NY was a great field trip for seventh and either grade students who earned positive behavior points in each class. Students who reached the minimum goal were allowed to attend this field trip.
I lead the PBIS team to coordinate a field day for students when they collectively earned their positive behavior points goal for the year. (2017)
Other Educational Leadership Events
Based on a parent survey, parents requested a space in PS#76 where they could access the internet, meet with staff, and get needed resources. I designed a space especially for parents.
While facilitating the Fuel Up Play 60 program at PS #76, I shared testimonials from students about how they stay healthy.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, students were disappointed that they would not be able to participate in their 8th Grade graduation. As a result, I worked with the Assistant Principal to bring students their certificates. The entire PS#76 8th grade team participated in this event.
Students in 4th through 6th grade were selected to attend the Fuel Up Play 60 yearly event at the Buffalo Bills stadium.