Barry University alumnus and Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho was honored by President Barack Obama and U.S. Secretary of Education Arnie Duncan at the National Teacher of the Year Ceremony on Thursday, May 1.
Carvalho, who was named Superintendent of the Year by the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) in February, was honored at the White House alongside the National Teacher of the Year and the National Principal of the Year winners.
Carvalho was one of four finalists for the AASA award and was selected on evaluation of his leadership, communication, professionalism, and community involvement.
A nationally recognized expert on school reform and finance, Carvalho successfully transformed Miami-Dade’s business operations and financial systems which resulted in dramatic increases in reserves, bond ratings, and student achievement. Under Carvalho’s leadership, Miami-Dade County Public Schools won the Broad Prize in Urban Education in 2012.
Carvalho graduated from Barry in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in biology. He began his career in education as a science teacher with Miami-Dade schools before becoming an assistant principal and chief communications officer. Carvalho was named superintendent in 2008.
For his continual dedication to education, Carvalho was granted an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Barry at the spring commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 3.