Shadia Alvarez is a passionate and dedicated education and community leader. She was born in Puerto Rico and was raised in both the Dominican Republic and New York City. She is a proud product of New York City public schools.
Ms. Alvarez obtained her Ed. M. in Organization and Leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University. As the principal of the Collegiate Institute for Math & Science, her school earned recognition from the New York Post and US News and World Report:
“While New York City’s most elite and selective schools accept only kids with top grades and test scores, others take students who struggled in middle school — and then work wonders.”
Furthermore, the school received multiple awards and grants during her tenure, including the College for Every Student (CFES) School of Distinction Award, in recognition of college and career programs, Expanded Success Initiative 4 year grant focusing on increasing academic performance of young Black and Latino males; hosted the A21-Accessing Algebra through Inquiry Math Initiative and the Literacy Design Collaborative Project in conjunction with New Visions for Public Schools. Shadia was also a member of the New Visions for Public Schools Critical Friends Network, a team of eight top-performing principals in the Bronx, chosen to participate in advanced leadership development at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Ms. Alvarez distinguished herself at New Rochelle High School. There, she served as a House Principal, responsible for over 3,000 students. Ms. Alvarez quickly became a part of The Alternative to Suspensions Committee, coordinated the rewriting of the New Rochelle District Code of Conduct, spearheaded various efforts to re-write the attendance policy, and include updating the process for implementing safety plans for the schools most vulnerable students. Mrs. Alvarez developed a quarterly cohort data analysis process, coordinated an online prep and credit recovery program, and concurrently supervised two House Offices with a thousand students in times of transition and change. Ms. Alvarez has been instrumental in being a thought partner on issues of restorative justice, increasing mentoring opportunities, and streamlining access to Advanced Placement courses. She also supported the Young Achievers Program and the My Brother’s Keeper Initiative.
Today, Ms. Alvarez serves as a consultant, planning, organizing, and executing high-leverage programming for agencies and institutions. Ms. Alvarez is an innovator and a community organizer. Ms. Alvarez believes her life mission and purpose is to nurture environments where students can succeed and contribute to the communities they are a part of.
