Dr. Julio Nazario-Valle serves as the Lead State Executive Director where he directs, leads, and supports the Regional Executive Directors and all field related work. He recently transitioned from the State Executive Director of Systems and Leadership where he implemented statewide systems and coordinated professional development for regional teams within the Bureau of School Improvement. This is his 21st year in education. He has served as a high school math teacher, high school and elementary school assistant principal, elementary and middle school principal, and region superintendent in both Chicago and Florida school districts. During his tenure as an administrator, he has served in turnaround, Title I schools at both elementary and middle school levels in rural and very large urban school districts. He was also the former Southwest Region Executive Director for the Florida Department of Education Bureau of School Improvement. In this role, the southwest region experienced the greatest growth and exited 60 percent of its schools and 72 percent increased their performance by at least one letter grade.
Serving the Northeast Region of Florida as the Regional Executive Director of School Improvement is an honor for Dustin. Each day, his goal is to help provide every student
Committed to ensuring that all students are given high-quality educational opportunities, Dr. Heide works to develop the capacity of the school community in order to enhance the understanding and the implementation of instructional best practices, facilitating the improvement of student outcomes. A dedicated educator originally from Colorado, Dr. Heide has 20 years of experience in education as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, principal and currently has the honor to serve as the NW Regional Assistant Director. In addition to her work in the public school system, Dr. Heide has developed teachers and school leaders as an affiliate faculty member at Regis University since 2009. Dr. Heide holds a Ph.D. in School Administration and Policy Studies, an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Space Studies, and a B.A. in Social Science with a focus on Early Adolescent Education.
LaShawn Russ-Porterfield serves as the Southeast Regional Executive Director. Her commitment to collaborate with districts and schools to ensure quality teaching and learning for every learner is her priority. She recently served as the Executive Director of turnaround and elementary school regions in Duval County Public Schools. This is her 21st year in education. She is a dedicated educator with over 21 years of experience in education as a classroom teacher, reading coach, assistant principal, principal, and district leader. Her passion, keen expertise, and experience in the turnaround process serve as an asset to the Southeast Region and state.
Lucinda is the Regional Executive Director for the Southwest Region. Education is a second career for Lucinda. She has a Bachelors of Science in Information Technology with a specialization in Networks and Telecommunications. Prior to teaching, she was a Project Manager at a Fortune 500 software company. After her husband received military orders to Florida, she decided to pursue a career in education. She obtained her teaching licensure through the Alternative Teaching Certification Program. She went on to earn a Masters in Curriculum and Technology and Doctorate in Educational Leadership with a specialization in Educational Technology.