By Smilka Melgoza
At the age of five, Dr. Jose L. Dotres MS ’88, arrived in Miami as an immigrant boy with humble beginnings. Enrolled as an English Language Learner in Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS), he graduated from high school and began a lifelong career serving the same system that welcomed him as a child. Today, Dr. Dotres is Superintendent of M-DCPS, the nation’s third-largest school district, leading over 40,000 employees and 300,000 students.
From Barry University to Leaderdhip
Dr. Dotres credits Barry University with helping set the foundation for his career. “It was at Barry, through the master’s program in reading, that I transitioned from the business world into education,” he recalls. Mentors such as Sister Maria Sienna and Dr. Ann Murphy guided him toward teaching, instilling the conviction that literacy is foundational to student success.“The rigorous training at Barry prepared me to foster a love of reading among my first graders and later mentor other educators as a reading coach.” Barry is also central to his family story. His wife, Maribel, and daughter both earned their master’s degrees there. “For us, Barry has been more than an academic institution. It nurtured our growth, strengthened our values, and reinforced our shared commitment to education,” he explains.
Career of Service and Vision
Over the years, Dr. Dotres has held nearly every role in education: teacher, reading coach, principal, district administrator, regional director, chief academic officer, chief capital officer, deputy superintendent, and now superintendent. Yet one role stands out most. “My time as a principal had the greatest impact. Leading a school taught me the importance of culture where students, staff, and families feel supported and inspired.” Teaching the whole child and ensuring optimal learning conditions remain at the core of his philosophy. Balancing innovation with pressing challenges such as teacher retention, he emphasizes a dual focus on people and systems. “We invest in professional development, mentorship, and clear pathways for educators, while also expanding innovative programs like advanced academics, career and technical education, AI integration, and mental health supports,” he notes.
