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The Council of the Great City Schools has selected Dr. Marta Pérez, a Miami-Dade School Board member, as the 2021 Green-Garner Award winner, the highest, most prestigious award in urban education in the U.S.
This award recognizes the best urban school leaders who make a positive difference in educating today’s children and incorporates some of the most important aspects of urban leadership: compassion, empathy, access, opportunities, performance mastery, inclusivity, integrity and ethical decision-making.
Dr. Pérez is the first Hispanic to win as board member and first Cuban American to receive this distinction. She has served on the Miami-Dade County school board since 1998.
Dr. Pérez has been an unwavering supporter of countless initiatives, particularly in the areas of ethics and accountability, parental involvement, wellness and student achievement. She was instrumental in leading the Miami-Dade School Board to adopt stronger ethics and accountability measures including the establishment of the Inspector General position and the Ethics Advisory Commission, which resulted in the board’s receiving the National School Board Association Magna Award.
In 2012, the Miami-Dade County school district was the winner of the Broad Prize for Urban Education awarded to urban school districts that have shown the strongest improvement in closing the achievement gap.
“Dr. Pérez has shown a strong dedication to the needs of students, a profound commitment to improvement, and has exemplified significant community involvement and leadership,” wrote Ray Hart, Council executive director.
“This is an honor,” Dr. Pérez said. “The Council of Great City Schools is at the forefront of our efforts to pursue the highest standards in academic achievement and organizational performance.”
As the recipient of the 2021 Green-Garner Award, Dr. Pérez receives a $10,000 college scholarship to present to a student in the Miami-Dade County school district.
Urban school leaders applauded Dr. Pérez during the Council’s 32nd annual “Urban Educator of the Year” virtual award ceremony, where she received the prestigious Green-Garner Award by her peers
