LAUSD’s new superintendent details his goals and expectations
By Spectrum News Staff
PUBLISHED 5:00 AM PT May. 16, 2022
As a child growing up in Portugal, Alberto Carvalho and his family lived in poverty.
While his parents worked hard to provide the best life they could for their children, they struggled to make ends meet.
In the latest episode of “LA Stories,” Carvalho explains to host Giselle Fernandez how he started working at age 15 and eventually earned enough money to come to the U.S. alone at age 17 in search of a better life. He found himself homeless, working odd jobs until he saved up enough money to graduate college.
“You make all the sacrifices you need to make to move forward,” he said. “And that was always my perspective.”
After college, Carvalho secured a teaching position in Miami teaching science. After holding many titles in the Miami-Dade School District, he became the district’s superintendent. He is credited with turning the district around, having emphasized fighting for immigrant children and underserved communities.
Even after all his success, Carvalho never forgot his humble upbringing. The struggles he faced, he says, only inspired him to work harder.
“I never despaired. My job now, quite frankly, is to recognize what I went through and spare kids in our communities from going through the same journey.”
Carvalho spent more than 14 years as head of the Miami-Dade School District. He has now moved to Los Angeles to serve as LAUSD’s superintendent.
Carvalho says his politics are more aligned with that of LA and that he has high goals and expectations for the district.
“I think LA is poised to become the premier urban district in America,” he said. “I see the potential, the capacity, the opportunity. And I’m going to realize it alongside teachers and principals and support staff, the board and, most importantly, the parents and the kids.”
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