Candidate #2: Dr. Isabelina Rodriguez

Candidate 2 – February 9 and February 10

Dr. Isabelina Rodriguez is currently Superintendent of Schools in Northampton, Massachusetts, a position she has held since 2004.  Dr. Rodriguez began her work in Northampton as Director of Pupil Services in 1994.  In her current position, Dr. Rodriguez has worked collaboratively with the administrative team, the School Committee, and the community to design a comprehensive plan to address the achievement gap, which is proving successful.  Prior to joining the Northampton School District, Dr. Rodriguez worked in the Springfield Public Schools, serving first as a Bilingual Special Education Teacher for six years, then as an Evaluation Team Leader/Crisis Support Teacher, and finally as Supervisor of Special Education.  She has been an adjunct faculty member of both Elms College and of Westfield State College.  With an undergraduate degree in Special Education from Westfield State College, Dr. Rodriguez secured an M.Ed from the same institution in Educational Administration, then an Ed.D in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.  Dr. Rodriguez holds Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education certification as follows: Teacher of Students with Severe Special Needs, Supervisor/Director of Special Education, and Superintendent of Schools.