Dr. Gladys Cruz
First Latina President School Superintendents Association
Interview Title:
Saber es Poder
Knowledge is Power!
Interview available:
Friday, September 27, 2024
at 12:00 pm CT
“La Maestra de la Gente
- The People’s Educator”
Dr. Gladys Cruz is breaking educational barriers for Latinas! She was just elected as the first Latina president of The School Superintendents Association, representing more than 10,000 public school leaders.
Her day job is serving as a district superintendent overseeing 22 school districts in upstate New York (Questar III BOCES). For over 30 years, Gladys has been a consistent voice for equitable, quality education urging students to stay positive and dream big.
Interview is available at 12:00 pm CT on
Friday, September 27, 2024
Stay in touch with
Dr. Gladys Cruz
Key Moments
[00:02:10] - Gladys shares her early life experiences growing up between Puerto Rico and New York.
[00:09:40] - Discussion on overcoming the challenge of cultural and language adaptation.
[00:13:50] - Journey to earning a PhD and the importance of educational opportunities.
[00:23:00] - The impact of the Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute and empowering Latino youth.
[00:32:00] - Gladys discusses what she would change about the American educational system.
[00:39:20] - Importance of personal hobbies and balance for sustaining a career in leadership.
[00:44:00] - Words of encouragement to Puerto Rican women aspiring to leadership.
[00:46:00] - Closing thoughts on the power of Latino leaders and their impact on the future.
Our host:
Dr. Juana Bordas
is recognized as an elder and icon in the world of leadership, diversity, and the advancement of Latinos, women, and communities of color. She was the founding president of the National Hispana Leadership Institute, received the International Leadership Association Life-Time Achievement Award, and the first Latina faculty at the Center for Creative Leadership. Dr. Bordas is the author of The Power of Latino Leadership - Ahora!
