After spending four years supporting schools from central office, Cynthia Robinson-Rivers hungered for the joyfulness and positive energy that comes with being around children all day. Becoming an assistant principal for literacy at Seaton, where she could help improve reading for struggling students, was the perfect fit.

“I work with students who are far below grade level in reading and it has been delightful to see the tremendous gains they can make with focused, targeted support.”

A single moment started Ms. Robinson-Rivers’ lifelong career. When she was a college student, she was invited to be a guest for a “College and Career Day” at an elementary school in Oakland, California.

“I was sobered by the circumstances in which the children who attended this school lived and humbled by the hard work the teachers at the school took on to set students up for success in life despite the limitations they faced at home,” she said. “I felt, and still feel, dedicated to the cause to close the achievement gap between high and low income students, especially in urban settings like Oakland and my hometown of Washington, D.C.”

She decided to dedicate herself to children. She enjoyed teaching kindergarteners to read. “It was extremely encouraging to see students, some of whom were experiencing school for the first time, move from barely recognizing letters and sounds to reading sentences and short books.”

At DCPS, she devoted herself to finding, developing, and celebrating teachers. A former DCPS student herself, she reflected on how much teachers do for their students.

“Every day I’m moved by the dedication shown by our teachers. It is incredible how much time and energy they spend working to ensure their students are given great instruction.”