[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 103 (Tuesday, June 18, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E649]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING MAIRA RIVERA AS A DISTINGUISHED LEADER IN CENTRAL FLORIDA FOR 
                        CARIBBEAN HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DARREN SOTO

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 18, 2024

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, Maira Rivera is a certified educator employed 
as the dean of an elementary school in Orange County Public Schools. 
She is in the 30th year of her educational career, which began in New 
York working with students with special needs for 10 years. She then 
moved to Orlando in 2004, where she has taught kindergarten, was an 
exceptional student education staffing specialist, and a district 
program specialist.
  Maira earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Master of Science in 
Early Childhood Education, and Master of Education in Educational 
Leadership. In 2006, Maira was the recipient of the Lehman Urban 
Teacher Education Award in recognition of her achievement as an 
outstanding educator and alumna of Lehman College who exemplifies the 
ideals of their education programs in promoting justice, equity, and 
caring in urban education. That same year, Maira was also named as an 
Orange County Public School's Teacher of the Year.
  In addition to her passion for helping students achieve academic and 
social-emotional success, she is also a member of many organizations 
that focus on helping the community with issues surrounding 
immigration, voter registration, affordable housing, fair wages, and 
better working conditions. Maira is on the executive board of the 
Florida AFL-CIO and the AFL-CIO Central Florida Labor Council. She is 
the treasurer of the Central Florida Labor Council for Latin American 
Advancement. Maira serves on the governance board of the Florida 
Education Association and is the vice president of the Orange County 
Classroom Teachers Association. She is a fierce advocate for all OCPS 
staff, students, and families.
  Maira was also a member of Vamos4PR and helped establish the Language 
Line Phone Interpreting Services, which provides translation in over 
240 languages for the diverse families of OCPS to be able to actively 
participate in their child's education. Maira's most treasured 
accomplishment is being married to her forever love, Ismael, for 36 
years. Together, they have three amazing children, Jose, Christina, and 
Daniel. They also have 12 precious grandchildren and enjoy spoiling 
them every chance they get.

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