Dean Basile is known for her groundbreaking work in redesigning the education workforce, focusing on community engagement and educational transformation. Her extensive experience, both in business and education, has made her a leading voice in the field, driving positive change in teacher and leadership preparation.

BIOGRAPHIES

Wallace Aristide 

Wallace Aristide was elected to the Florida House of Representatives (District 107) in 2024. Aristide earned a degree from Bethune-Cookman University in 1988 and Nova Southeastern University in 2000. His career experience includes working as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal in the Miami-Dade County Public School District for over 30 years. In 2014, he received the M-DCPS Principal of the Year Award. 

Dawn M. Baglos 

Dawn M. Baglos is the Chief Human Capital Officer for Miami-Dade County Public Schools. She previously served as a teacher and principal of an elementary school, a middle school, and of a high school before transitioning into a district administrator role in the Office of Labor Relations. Dr. Baglos is a product of Miami-Dade County Public Schools and is passionate about creating change for employees and students within the current human capital context in the community she has always called home.     

Carole Basile 

Carole Basile is Dean of The Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation (MLFC) at Arizona State University. She has worked over 30 years in higher education and teacher preparation. She is currently leading the development of a new blueprint for education workforce and the preparation of a broad base of educators supporting learners. She has published numerous articles, books, book chapters, and technical papers. 

Melissa Dotel 

Melissa Abril-Dotel, a MDCPS alumna and educator for 18 years, holds a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Florida State University and a Master’s in TESOL and Urban Education from Florida International University. Recognized as the 2025 MDCPS Teacher of the Year, she is a MINT mentor, DonorsChoose ambassador, and leads programs like the Garden Club and Sunshine State Young Readers. 

José L. Dotres 

José L. Dotres is a passionate life-long educator and has served as Superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the third largest school system in the United States, since February 2022. Dr. Dotres started his teaching career at Frederick Douglass Elementary and has proudly held multiple instructional and leadership roles over his career as an educator, including Reading Coach, Principal, Region Superintendent, Chief Academic Officer, and Chief Human Capital Officer. 

Steve Gallon 

Steve Gallon III has served as the elected District 1 School Board Member for Miami-Dade County Public Schools since 2016. Dr. Gallon began his career as a classroom teacher, instructing students at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Over the course of his career, he has held numerous positions, including assistant principal, elementary and high school principal, district administrator, and Superintendent of Schools, receiving numerous awards for his work. 

Jennifer Krawec 

Jennifer Krawec began her career as a teacher in an inclusive classroom in M-DCPS, and earned her Ph.D. from UM in 2010. Dr. Krawec joined the Teaching and Learning (TAL) faculty in 2012 and is currently serving as the TAL Department Chair. She has a wealth of experience directing research projects, teaching in, as well as directing teacher preparation programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. 

Leslie Miller Saiontz 

Leslie Miller Saiontz is a philanthropist, educational activist, and impact investor. She founded Achieve Miami in 2015 with the goal of launching, scaling, and developing programs that narrow the opportunity gaps facing low-income communities. In addition to serving as the President of the board at Achieve Miami, Leslie co-developed and secured funding to begin the Teacher Accelerator Program (TAP), a teacher preparation pathway for non-education major students that was developed to address the teacher shortage crisis in our community. 

Pablo Ortiz 

Pablo Ortiz was appointed as Provost of Barry University in June 2024. Dr. Ortiz previously served as Vice Provost at Florida International University, as well as the Interim Senior Vice President of Advancement and CEO of the FIU Foundation. Prior to his career in higher education, Dr. Ortiz served as a leader and principal in the Miami-Dade County Public School system, where he received multiple Principal of the Year awards and most notably spearheaded Miami Edison Senior High School’s ranking turnaround. 

Roniel Osario  

Roniel Osario is currently the Principal at West Miami Middle School (M-DCPS). His career in education includes multiple teaching and administrative positions. Mr. Osario's goal is to ensure all students and their families, as well as teachers, are seen as valued members of the school community, and for the school to reflect a culture of learning, respect, and quality. 

Mari Tere Rojas 

Ms. Mari Tere Rojas is a professional educator of more than 45 years who has held various high-level administrative and teaching positions in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. She was a Teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, Region Director, Assistant Superintendent of the Office of Professional Standards, Administrative Assistant to a School Board Member, and School Board Member for District 6. Ms. Rojas was recently re-elected as Chair for the M-DCPS School Board.