Dr. Magda R. Castro-Pereira is an accomplished educational leader with a distinguished academic background and extensive experience in the field of educational leadership and exceptional student education. Her commitment to inclusivity and equitable access to quality STEM education for students with disabilities is evident in her doctoral research. She holds a Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Florida International University, where her dissertation focused on “Breaking Barriers into STEM Education for Students with Disabilities.”
Furthering her expertise in educational administration, Dr. Castro-Pereira earned a Certification in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University in Miami, FL. Prior to this, she obtained a Master of Science degree in Exceptional Student Education from Nova Southeastern University, demonstrating her long-standing dedication to providing high-quality education for students with exceptional needs. Her foundational education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Education from Florida International University, which laid the groundwork for her impactful career. These comprehensive educational achievements have equipped Dr. Castro-Pereira with a profound understanding of educational leadership and the capacity to effectively address the diverse needs of exceptional students.
With 29 years of instructional leadership experience within Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS), Dr. Castro-Pereira currently serves as the Administrative Director in the Office of Innovation – School Choice and Parental Options. In this pivotal role, she brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective, having worked across the K-12 spectrum to understand the needs of diverse student populations and remaining dedicated to achieving equity in education for underrepresented students. Leading a team responsible for overseeing 350+ magnet programs across 121 schools within the district, Dr. Castro-Pereira focuses on providing educational choice options that ensure all students throughout the district have opportunities to excel and succeed in their educational journeys.
In addition to her administrative responsibilities, Dr. Castro-Pereira serves as Project Director for two significant magnet initiatives: the STArts (Science, Technology, and Arts Exploration and Innovation) and STArts² Magnet Projects. Supported by $15 million in grant funding, these projects aim to transform five K-8 schools into innovative STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) exploratory learning environments. Through these programs, Dr. Castro-Pereira fosters creativity, passion, and critical thinking skills by effectively integrating the arts into STEM education. Her overarching goal is to bridge the educational equity gap and establish seamless K-16 STEM curricular pipelines that prepare M-DCPS students for successful college and career pathways.
Dr. Castro-Pereira’s unwavering commitment to excellence is further demonstrated through her efforts to cultivate inclusive cultures where all students feel welcomed, empowered, and inspired to strive for academic excellence. She recognizes the critical importance of nurturing students’ personal and educational interests, strengths, and skills as a means to foster academic excellence. Through her leadership and dedication, she continues to make a significant impact on the educational landscape.
Raise the level of performance consistent throughout school districts nationwide and creates a platform from which all magnet schools can flourish. Magnet Schools of America’s national certification process is designed to recognize the hard work of the best magnet schools in the nation and to help them as they grow.
