Miami-Dade Superintendent of Schools Alberto M. Carvalho was named Florida's Superintendent of the Year on December 4 by the Florida Association of District School Superintendents (FADSS).
As Florida's Superintendent of the Year, Carvalho will represent the Sunshine State for consideration as national superintendent of the year. The announcement was made at the opening general session of the 68th Annual Joint Conference with FADSS, Florida School Board Association (FSBA), Florida School Board Attorneys Association (FSBAA), Florida Educational Risk Management Association (FERMA), Sunshine State School Public Relations Association (SUNSPRA), and the Florida Education Legislative Liaisons (FELL) at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay Hotel.
Carvalho served as a keynote speaker for the event, using the theme "The Miami Miracle" a phrase used nationally to describe the unprecedented turnaround of the country's fourth largest school district.
"Those who choose the path as a public school superintendent do so not for the glory but rather the opportunity to make a positive difference in children's lives, and Superintendent Carvalho has certainly proved this time and time again as he has diligently worked to raise the educational bar for Miami-Dade County Public Schools," stated FADSS chief executive officer and Florida Senator Bill Montford.
"Alberto is not only an exceptional superintendent with a proven track record of success; he is a true servant leader committed to educational excellence and he is very deserving of this award," added Montford.
Carvalho, who has served as Miami-Dade County Public Schools' leader for five years, has consistently advocated for students across the state. He has taken on many issues including education funding, flexibility in the use of school dollars, school performance grades, and equality for English Language Learners, Exceptional Education Students, and children of undocumented parents.
Carvalho successfully led a campaign for a $1.2 billion General Obligation Bond that will improve schools, provide new schools and enhance technology.