Hispanic Heritage Month: Employee Spotlights

As part of our ongoing efforts to create inclusive schools and offices that celebrate diversity and cultivate a sense of belonging, Middletown Public Schools will be highlighting our employee diversity throughout each school year. 

September 15 to October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month. To honor and celebrate our employees with Hispanic heritage, please see spotlights below.

These employees volunteered to be highlighted and provide the information that is found below.

2024-2025 School Year

Hispanic Heritage Month: Employee Spotlight - Orlando Ruiz

Orlando Ruiz

Principal

Macdonough School


What is your Hispanic heritage?
My mother and father were born in Patillas, Puerto Rico. I spent many summers visiting mis abuelos during the summer. My mother lives in Penuelas, Puerto Rico today.

How has your Hispanic heritage influenced your life?
WEPA! For me its the Spanish language. Spanish is more than just a language; it’s a connection to familia, heritage, and culture. Being bilingual is a superhero power, both culturally and professionally. It also strengthen ties to my Macdonough School Familia.

In your opinion, why is it important for the MPS community to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?
Its all about highlighting academic and career inspiration for our students! Featuring Hispanic role models, whether historical figures or modern leaders, can and does inspire students, particularly Latino students, to pursue academic and career goals. It emphasizes that success and leadership come from ALL cultures.

2023-2024 School Year

Hispanic Heritage Month: Employee Spotlight - Eddie Miranda

Eddie Miranda

Executive Director of Finance

Middletown Public Schools


What is your Hispanic heritage?
My mother is Puerto Rican and father is from the Dominican Republic

How has your Hispanic heritage influenced your life?
My Hispanic heritage has allowed me to learn and teach my roots, culture and tradition. Our food, music, travel and my sense of family and community have all been informed by the place and the culture which I grew up with.

In your opinion, why is it important for the MPS community to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?
As the number of Hispanics continue to grow across the nation, it is important for students to know that there are individuals, just like them, in all types of roles.

Hispanic Heritage Month: Employee Spotlight - Adela Santiago Martinez

Adela Santiago Martinez

Spanish Teacher

Beman Middle School


What is your Hispanic heritage?
My father and mother were Puerto Ricans. My paternal grandmother was from Galicia, Spain.

How has your Hispanic heritage influenced your life?
I'm so proud of my Hispanic heritage. I feel connected to my community through food, music and our traditions.

In your opinion, why is it important for the MPS community to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?
Representation is of upmost importance, especially for our youth. I truly appreciate that MPS is highlighting its Hispanic employees during Hispanic Heritage Month. It shows us that we matter to the district and it shows our students that they have people just like them, from the same cultural background, all around them.

Hispanic Heritage Month: Employee Spotlight - Katherine Ferreira

Katherine Ferreira

Supervisor of Special Education and Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

Middletown Public Schools


What is your Hispanic heritage?
I was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to the US at 8 years old.

How has your Hispanic heritage influenced your life?
My Hispanic Heritage has shaped every part of my being. It has especially shaped my career path. Family and community are a huge part of my culture and I love being able to engage with people from different walks of life and share experiences and build relationships that will help

In your opinion, why is it important for the MPS community to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?
It is so important for us to celebrate all students and their heritage and give them a space to share about the culture and backgrounds. It is also important to highlight the staff to show students the endless possibility of all they can be.

Hispanic Heritage Month: Employee Spotlight - Elisha De Jesus

Elisha De Jesús

Director of Athletics and Student Activities

Middletown Public Schools


What is your Hispanic heritage?
My family is from the beautiful island of Puerto Rico.

How has your Hispanic heritage influenced your life?
My Hispanic Heritage has shaped my love of family, (good) food, and reggaeton music. It has shaped me into the person I am today: dedicated to ensuring all students have access to meaningful activities and inclusive spaces.

In your opinion, why is it important for the MPS community to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?
As a Puerto Rican woman, I hope to inspire our students to find their passion and take steps to achieve their goals– the same way other Hispanic people have inspired me. Our language and our culture are gifts- and I hope to inspire our students to see it that way, too.

Hispanic Heritage Month: Employee Spotlight - Elisha De Jesus

Alberto Vázquez Matos, Ed.D., Ph.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Middletown Public Schools


What is your Hispanic heritage?
My family and I are from Puerto Rico. We relocated to the states when I was young.

How has your Hispanic heritage influenced your life?
My Hispanic Heritage has influenced nearly every aspect of my life. My values and my sense of family are two really important parts of who I am today -- these are what they are due to my Hispanic Heritage,

In your opinion, why is it important for the MPS community to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?
It important for students, staff, and families to see themselves represented and their heritage celebrated by their school district. It's equally as important for students and staff who are not of hispanic heritage to see the rich diversity of our incredible school district.