Mildred Boveda, EPM'11: Navigating Social Change

As a special education teacher in Miami-Dade County, Mildred Boveda witnessed firsthand the impact that public education has on the lives of students. At the same time, she also saw many disparities, which led to her interest in education policy and, ultimately, to her enrolling in HGSE’s Education Policy and Management (EPM) Program. “My goal for this year was to gain a better understanding of the processes in which policymakers and urban district leaders make policies that impact a variety of school and community contexts,” she says. Boveda’s interest in policy has grown due to her time at the Ed School and her commitment has impressed her cohort. “Mildred's commitment to fairness, social justice, and equity permeates all that she's accomplished her master's year at HGSE,” said Lecturer Karen Mapp, director of EPM. “With courage, respect, and dignity, she has pushed herself, her classmates, and her faculty to have those difficult conversations that lead to new learning and understanding.” After graduation, Boveda will be moving back to Miami to begin a doctoral program in exceptional student education at Florida International University. Upon learning that she had been honored with the Intellectual Contribution/Faculty Tribute Award for EPM, Boveda answered some questions about her time at the Ed School and beyond.

What was your favorite class and why?

After the first three class sessions of A021/Leadership in Social-Change Organizations, I knew I made the right decision in coming to the Ed School. Throughout the semester the teaching team’s dialogical approach to learning required us to reflect on our roles as change agents. The class discussions, readings, and guest speakers provided us with a powerful combination that balanced theory and practice. The first two assignments were especially difficult because it required me to heavily critique myself as a leader. I nevertheless thank Karen Mapp because I know that her request for me to “dig deep” had an immediate effect on how I navigate the work of social change.

Is there any professor who significantly shaped your experience at the Ed School?

Professor Fernando Reimers frequently refers to his students as his “colleagues” and accordingly related to us as such, both in and outside of the classroom. Admittedly, his high expectations were at times daunting, but he balanced his high demands with high levels of support. Professor Reimers encouraged us to share our work with policymakers and leaders from around the world and actively found opportunities to help us meet our professional goals. His confidence in my ideas and abilities not only enhanced my time here at the Ed School but will continue to challenge me as I move on.

What advice do you have for next year’s students going through your program?

The best advice that I can give is what Associate Professor John Diamond told us on the first day of class: “be humble.” Education is extremely politically charged and your take on what is the “right way” to proceed within this sector is heavily colored by our personal and professional experiences. So… be humble, know your truth, and be open to other people’s truths.

If you could transport one person/place/thing from HGSE to your next destination, what would it be?

I love my cohort and the amazing students at HGSE. If I could transport one place to Miami it would have to be first floor of Gutman where there is always a mix of passionate individuals willing to take a study break and challenge your thinking.

Favorite place to get a slice of pizza in the Square?

Crazy Dough Pizza… yummy!