Featured Alumni

VALERIA SILVA

The Broad Superintendents Academy Class of 2008
Superintendent
Saint Paul Public Schools, Minn.

“It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgent need to drastically improve our public education system. We must take immediate action on this transformation. An effective superintendent must engage educators, community and business leaders, elected officials and families to work together as a team to provide every student with a system that provides high expectations, challenging curriculum and rich, meaningful experiences to prepare them for the workplace of the future. I am committed to bring my energy, passion and vision to make this a reality for the future generations of urban learners.”

In November 2009, Valeria Silva was appointed superintendent of St. Paul Public Schools, a Minnesota school district with more than 41,000 students and over 100 schools. Silva previously served as chief academic officer for Saint Paul Public Schools and was responsible for the Office of Academics. The Office is an umbrella department for the district's birth to adult education services, including: the Center for Professional Development; Community Education programs; the English Language Learner program; guidance, counseling, and related services; Project Early Kindergarten; school readiness and community kindergarten; special education; nurse services; Native American education programs; and alternative education programs. Previously, Ms. Silva served as the director for the Saint Paul English Language Learners (ELL) Programs, which has been nationally recognized for the success of its students. Ms. Silva was one the first teachers at the first full Spanish immersion program in the State of Minnesota, where she later became principal. Her career as an administrator also includes her years as assistant principal of Dayton's Bluff Elementary and program coordinator of Adams School. In addition to her numerous roles with the Saint Paul Public School District, Ms. Silva worked for the Minnesota Department of Education where she was a Standards and Accommodation Specialist. She began her career as a teacher in Santiago, Chile. Ms. Silva holds a Bachelor of Arts from the Pontific Catholic University of Chile, a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Elective Studies from Saint Cloud State University, a Master of Arts and a Specialist in Elementary School Education degree from the University of Minnesota. She is currently finishing her Superintendent Licensure and working on her doctoral program at St. Mary’s University. Ms. Silva is the recipient of the 2007 University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA) Excellence in Leadership Award.  Silva is a graduate of the 2008 class of The Broad Superintendents Academy.