Ms. Diaz arrived in Miami six years ago to do development work and fundraising in the non-profit field. She then turned to her long-time passion for education and children by becoming a teacher of the gifted and talented. Soon after joining the public school system Ms. Diaz earned the respect of her students, parents, colleagues and the school administration as a result of her dedication and commitment to her students. She holds a B.A. from Rutgers University, a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University, and is currently pursuing a Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Florida. She has worked as a Legislative Aide, a Program Associate for Rockefeller Foundation and as consultant for international organizations like the United Nations and Parliamentarians for Global Action before committing to the field of education.
During her first year of teaching Ms. Diaz managed to obtain several grants for her school from organizations like major motion picture company Walden Media, FirsBook.org, and Target among others. She managed to become chair of her school’s EESAC committee, and a member of the Magnet School Leadership Team. She was successful at attaining a free two-week summer camp for 40 students at the Biscayne Nature Center. Currently, she maintains herself involved in the school and its community as a member of the Dade Reading Council, National Organization of Gifted Children (NAGC), and O Ambassadors (a subsidiary of Oprah’s Angle Network) among others. She has received various awards for her community work among them a New Jersey Assembly Commendation Award for her work with Latino students. In 2009 she became a Javitz-Frazier Fellow for the NAGC, which awards only 15 national fellowships a year. This year she has been invited to present her work at the NAGC Annual National Convention, the Florida Association for the Gifted and at the Education Fund’s Annual Expo.
After her first week at Miami Beach Senior High School Ms. Diaz said, “I am highly impressed with the level of commitment and dedication the students in the IB program and Scholars Academy put forth. I was especially struck by how supportive they are of each other, although they are part of a rigorous and competitive academic program. They have an unparalleled passion for education and a desire to improve their community. As part of the IB program at Miami Beach High I look to infuse my background and career experience into my position. However, my sensibility and compassion for human welfare, and my determination for better educational programs are the qualities that are most likely to be noticed on the job.”
