Denise Rivera
Bronxville,NY
Summary
Bilingual Educational leader with over 15 years of experience dedicated to cultivating joyful, safe, and inclusive school environments where every community member feels valued and welcomed. Expert in building and leading highly effective teams through relationship-centered, collaborative, and supportive practices that maximize student engagement and learning. Proven success in managing school-wide culture initiatives and enhancing Tier One supports to promote positive behavior and social-emotional growth.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Founding Director of School Culture
Dos Amigos Elementary School
07.2020 - Current
- Collaborated with the founding team to launch and operationalize a Dual Language Elementary School, creating and implementing a culture plan aligned with the school’s educational mission, goals, and values.
- Served as the Lead Spanish Kindergarten Teacher in the school’s inaugural year, modeling best practices in bilingual instruction and early childhood development.
- Designed and implemented school-wide social-emotional learning (SEL) programs, embedding SEL competencies into daily instruction to strengthen students’ interpersonal skills, emotional awareness, and academic mindsets.
- Built and led programs rooted in restorative practices—including restorative circles, reflection spaces, and conflict-resolution meetings—to foster a sense of belonging and address challenges in a respectful, inclusive manner.
- Facilitated professional development sessions and served as an instructional coach to teachers, offering support in classroom management, SEL integration, differentiated instruction, and family engagement.
- Led school-wide initiatives to cultivate a strong and positive adult culture, resulting in high staff retention rates and consistently positive teacher feedback.
- Organized community-building events and family workshops that reinforced school values and strengthened home-school connections.
- Managed and coached the enrichment teaching team—including Arts, Music, Science, Movement, and Theatre—and launched an upper-grade elective block, including a partnership with Disney to provide students with deeper engagement in the arts.
- Partnered with teachers and administrators to design and adapt bilingual curricula and instructional materials; ensured compliance with all state-mandated language assessments such as the Home Language Survey, NYSITELL, and NYSESLAT.
- Led strategic initiatives to improve student attendance and punctuality, resulting in measurable decreases in absences and tardiness each trimester.
Dean of Students
Hyde Leadership Charter School
08.2014 - 07.2020
- Collaborated closely with faculty, staff, and administrators to address student behavior and support academic success through professional development, classroom observations, targeted feedback, and co-teaching strategies.
- Oversaw student disciplinary processes and hearings, ensuring equitable, consistent outcomes aligned with school policies and restorative approaches.
- Developed and implemented student conduct policies and procedures that promoted a safe, positive, and inclusive learning environment.
- Designed, wrote, and monitored individualized Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) to support students with persistent behavior challenges, in collaboration with teachers and families.
- Coordinated and led Response to Intervention (RTI) meetings with general education, special education, and SEL teams to ensure timely and appropriate academic and behavioral support.
- Spearheaded the integration of Skillstreaming, a structured SEL program, into weekly classroom lessons and SEL-focused meetings to build students' pro-social and emotional regulation skills.
- Facilitated weekly School Meetings (town halls) by leading a cross-functional team that planned and executed inclusive, community-centered gatherings promoting school values and student voice.
- Managed a 12-member Student Support Team responsible for recess and lunch coverage, school events, and holistic student and family support.
Director of Family Education Department
Hyde Leadership Charter School
08.2009 - 08.2014
- Leadership: Successfully led a team of educators in the development and implementation of comprehensive family education programs, empowering parents and guardians to actively support their children’s academic and personal development.
- Program Development: Designed and executed innovative workshops, seminars, and educational resources tailored to the diverse needs of families, resulting in significantly increased engagement and participation across the department.
- Collaboration: Built and nurtured strong partnerships with community-based organizations, schools, and key stakeholders to strengthen the reach and effectiveness of family education initiatives and ensure alignment with organizational goals.
- Evaluation: Established data-informed evaluation systems to monitor program outcomes, assess effectiveness, and guide ongoing improvements, leading to measurable growth in family engagement and student success.
- Advocacy: Served as a vocal advocate for family involvement in education through public speaking engagements, presentations, and strategic networking—elevating the visibility and importance of this work both internally and across the broader community.
Career Development Director & Teacher
Ross Medical Education Center
01.2006 - 12.2007
- Program Design & Implementation: Developed and executed comprehensive career development programs tailored to diverse student populations, resulting in a 20% increase in post-graduation placement rates.
- Industry Engagement: Established strategic partnerships with employers and industry professionals to expand access to internships, job placements, and career exploration opportunities for students.
- Adult Education Instruction: Taught a range of practical, skills-based classes for adults focused on improving academic performance, fostering independence, and enhancing overall well-being. Course topics included emotional regulation, effective communication, problem-solving, and job readiness.
- Holistic Support: Integrated social-emotional learning and executive functioning strategies into adult instruction to support both personal growth and professional development.
1st Grade Elementary Teacher
The Kings Academy
08.2005 - 05.2006
- Created a warm, supportive classroom environment that nurtured students’ academic, social, and emotional development.
- Delivered instruction in core subjects including math, phonics, and writing, using developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive teaching strategies.
- Built strong, collaborative relationships with students, families, colleagues, and school leadership to foster a positive, inclusive school community.
Undergraduate Admissions Counselor
Nyack College
09.2001 - 08.2005
- Reviewed and evaluated admissions applications, providing personalized outreach by calling prospective students to guide them through each stage of the admissions process.
- Led open house information sessions and represented the institution at college fairs to promote programs and engage with prospective students and families.
- Advised students on academic planning, career pathways, and social opportunities to support their long-term success and holistic development.
Education
Master in Education - Curriculum and Instruction
Concordia University
Portland, OR05.2019
Interdisciplinary Studies - Education and Psychology
Nyack College
Nyack, NY05.2004
Skills
- Bilingual (English & Spanish)
- Relationship driven
- Creating inclusive, supportive, and positive school environments
- Social-emotional learning and programming
- Professional development & Coaching
Timeline
Founding Director of School Culture
Dos Amigos Elementary School
07.2020 - Current
Dean of Students
Hyde Leadership Charter School
08.2014 - 07.2020
Director of Family Education Department
Hyde Leadership Charter School
08.2009 - 08.2014
Career Development Director & Teacher
Ross Medical Education Center
01.2006 - 12.2007
1st Grade Elementary Teacher
The Kings Academy
08.2005 - 05.2006
Undergraduate Admissions Counselor
Nyack College
09.2001 - 08.2005
Interdisciplinary Studies - Education and Psychology
Nyack College
Master in Education - Curriculum and Instruction
Concordia University
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