Thirty-one years ago, Evelyn Núñez began her career in education as an elementary school teacher at Ferguson Elementary School in the School District of Philadelphia. Throughout her career, she has held various positions, including educator, bilingual literacy coach, principal, assistant superintendent, chief academic officer and deputy executive director at a charter school. This experience led her to become the new superintendent of Esperanza Academy.
Dr. Núñez, of Puerto Rican descent, was chosen from among 250 candidates to lead the schools at Esperanza, thanks to her extensive experience in the community she has served for decades. Originally from the Kensington neighborhood, she shares that every day, when she enters her new job, she feels like she’s among family, as the students at Esperanza remind her of herself.
For 19 years, Dr. Núñez worked with students and families in the School District of Philadelphia, first as an educator, then as a school administrator and most recently as a leader in the Office of Schools. Until a few months ago, she served as the associate superintendent of Elementary Schools in the School District of Philadelphia, where she oversaw 167 schools.
Born in Puerto Rico, her family moved to Philadelphia when she was three years old. She attended Henry A. Brown Elementary School and William H. Hunter Elementary School and graduated from Thomas Alva Edison High School. When she earned her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE Certification) from Chestnut Hill College, she became the first person in her family to attend college. She later obtained a master’s degree and principal certification from Cheyney University, a superintendent certification from Arcadia University, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Gwynedd Mercy University.
Throughout her career, Dr. Núñez has been a pioneer in implementing bilingual education programs, something she greatly values at Esperanza Academy, where 95% of the students are Latino and for many, Spanish is their first language.
These programs have fostered bicultural identity and increased student success.
As the superintendent of Esperanza Academy, Dr. Núñez is excited about the variety of programs and services designed to empower the Hispanic community, including housing services, access to benefits, job development, immigration legal services, performing arts and violence prevention.
“I am very proud, and honestly, it has been a pleasure to start this new chapter,” she says. In the past few weeks, she has witnessed firsthand the positive impact Esperanza has had in North Philadelphia over the last three decades. «I’ve realized that it has been a part of the progress we’ve seen in our Latino community here in Philadelphia.»
Dr. Núñez has been working closely with teachers, academy leaders, parents, and students, learning about the areas that could be improved. «I’m very excited to work side by side with all of them to improve the education we’re providing to students here at the academy… The team we have here is deeply committed to the community, to the students, and to the school’s mission.»
We are here to serve students in every way
For Dr. Núñez, it is essential not only to educate students academically but also to provide them with the tools to develop their skills and become productive members of the community. «We want them to feel that the Academy isn’t just a place where they come to learn, but that we are their family, and that both they and their parents feel at home here.»
Next year holds great promise for Esperanza Academy, as in September 2025, they will open their new elementary school, which will welcome 800 students from kindergarten through fifth grade. “Right now, we are very focused on that, not only on constructing the beautiful building we’re preparing but also on enrolling students.” She also took the opportunity to reach out to job seekers, mentioning that they are offering a wide range of positions, including teachers, counselors, bus drivers, maintenance staff and cooks who will prepare the delicious meals for the students.
She emphasized the importance of being bilingual and bicultural: “It’s important to have leaders, teachers, and staff who reflect our identity. We are very proud, not just of speaking Spanish, but of communicating in Spanish. It’s crucial that parents feel represented when they enter the school, not just because we speak their language, but because they can feel the culture when they walk into our schools.”
As the leader of a growing team, Dr. Núñez assures job seekers that they will find a positive and passionate environment at Esperanza. “You will come to a place where you will be very happy working. We know that sometimes we spend more time at work than at home, and I can tell you that here I feel like I’m with family. I wake up every morning very excited… Everyone is very respectful, and working here is a joy.”
She concluded that Esperanza Academy is the ideal place for those seeking a positive work environment with a significant impact on the community.
OJO FALTA INCRUSTAR VIDEO EN YOUTOBE PRIVADO
