Curriculum Vitae
Experience, education & publications
The professional record of Dr. Brenda Ortiz McGrath, Ed.D., MSW — two decades in education spanning classroom-adjacent practice, school administration, and PK–12 district leadership, alongside doctoral research and published work.
Professional Experience
Roles across two decades
Progressively senior leadership spanning family and community engagement, school administration, high school leadership, and PK–12 district administration.
2006–2014
School Adjustment Counselor
Waltham Public Schools
Eight years of direct practice with students and families — supporting transitions, emotional well-being, peer relationships, and academic stress, and connecting families to community resources.
2014–2017
Head of Family & Community Engagement / Dean of Students
Bentley Academy, Salem
A founding member of the school's turnaround work, partnering with families, staff, and community organizations as the school achieved Level 1 status.
2017–2021
Associate Principal
Waltham Public Schools
The district's first Latina administrator. Led high school house operations, student-success systems, school climate, and discipline, advancing the School Improvement Plan with department leaders. Provided staff supervision, coaching, and professional learning, and introduced and scaled restorative practices as a schoolwide approach to belonging, accountability, and culture.
2021–Aug 2022
Principal
Waltham High School
First Latina and first woman to lead the school in 53 years. Directed schoolwide instructional strategy, operations, culture, and student-success priorities through an improvement plan centered on academic growth and belonging; led the Instructional Leadership Team in developing the Quality School Plan; supervised and evaluated faculty and school-based teams; and expanded family partnership through the PTO, School Site Council, home visits, adult education, and the Latinx Parent Leadership Group.
2022–Present
District Administrator, PK–12
Chelsea Public Schools
Leads districtwide strategy across an 11-school PK–12 system serving approximately 6,300 students, aligning academic, attendance, behavioral, SEL/MTSS, family-engagement, and specialized-support priorities. Leads and develops professional teams through PLC structures and data-informed routines, advises central office leaders, principals, and school teams on crisis response and compliance, and directs grants, vendor and community partnerships with families, public agencies, healthcare and crisis providers, and regional organizations.
Service
Boards, commissions & advisory roles
Appointed and elected service extending educational leadership into housing, women's equity, mental health policy, and community well-being.
Current
Elected School Committee Member, Policy Chair & DEI Chair — Lynn School Committee
Providing public governance, budget oversight, policy review, constituent communication, and accountability for district priorities; chairs Policy and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion work through a student-centered, equity-minded, fiscally responsible lens.
Current
Vice President, Lynn Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Supporting access to higher education for Latino students in Lynn.
2023–2026
Commissioner, Essex County Commission for the Status of Women
Served on the National Association of Commissions for Women, advancing equity, opportunity, and women's rights across Essex County.
Current
Board Member, Lynn Housing Trust Fund
Advocating for housing stability as a foundation for student success.
Current
National Advisory Board, Alongside
Advising on youth mental health supports and how schools can reach students earlier.
Current
Massachusetts Association for Mental Health Advisory Council
Contributing a school-systems perspective to statewide mental health policy and practice.
Current
Healthy Families Advisory Board
Supporting programs that strengthen young families and early childhood well-being.
Current
Advisory Council, Eliot Family Resource Center
Guiding family-centered services that connect caregivers to mental health, wellness, and community resources.
Education
Degrees, licensure, fellowships & training
Education
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Educational Leadership & Supervision
American International College — 2026, GPA 4.0
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Boston College — 2006, clinical and school social work practice
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
Wheelock College
Educational Leadership
University of New England — 2017–2018
Massachusetts Licensure
- Superintendent (Professional)
- Principal K–12
- School Adjustment Counselor
- Director of Pupil Personnel
- Director of School Counseling
- Attendance / Truancy Supervisor
Additional Training
Essential Elements of School Threat Assessment (On Demand)
Completed September 22, 2026 · 1.0 contact hour (online training).
Title IX Investigator
External certification training in Title IX investigation and compliance.
Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI)
Trained facilitator in de-escalation and crisis prevention practice.
Restorative & Mediation Practice
Training in restorative approaches, mediation, and conflict resolution programming.
Fellowships & Recognition
CASEL SEL Lead Fellow
2025–2026 cohort
LeadBoston Scholarship Recipient, YW Boston
2024–2025
Aspiring Latino Leaders Fellow, Latinos for Education
2023–2024
Influence 100 Fellow
Cohort 2 · 2020–2021
MA DESE Title I Distinguished Graduate
2003
Publications
Books, research & published writing
Published scholarship and authored work spanning doctoral research, children's literature, leadership writing, and practitioner articles.
Doctoral Dissertation
Reducing Dropout Rates Through Social-Emotional Learning in Urban Public Schools: A Qualitative Document Analysis
American International College
A qualitative document analysis exploring how social-emotional learning can support efforts to reduce dropout rates in urban public schools.
Read on ProQuestBilingual Children's Book
Mami's Coquí Song
A bilingual children's book rooted in Puerto Rican culture, family, memory, love, belonging, and emotional connection — a story of the sounds and people that stay with us.
Flagship Book · MijaLumbre Leadership Framework™
Mija, You Were Built to Lead
The flagship book of the MijaLumbre Leadership Framework, written for leaders navigating systems while carrying identity, culture, and community with them.
Co-Authored Collection · Launched October 2026
ELLA Poderosa Volume 2
I'm honored to be a co-author of ELLA Poderosa Volume 2, a collection of stories by Latina women about leadership, resilience, purpose, and the courage to keep moving forward. The book launched in New York City on October 3, 2026, with a feature in Times Square celebrating the 17 powerful Latinas sharing their leadership journeys and breaking barriers. My contribution reflects the experiences and defining moments that have shaped who I am and how I lead.
Professional Resource · MTSS & SEL Handbook and Workbook
Building Systems of Belonging
A culturally responsive MTSS and SEL handbook and workbook from ILE Consulting — practical frameworks for tiered support, a Tier 1 walkthrough rubric, and ten ready-to-use planning tools for schools and districts committed to the whole child.
Articles
Published articles & features
2026
How Brenda Ortiz McGrath Is Rewiring Student Support in Public Education
TomoClub · Education Hall
2026
Tier 1 Is Not Basic — It Is the Backbone of Everything We Do
The Educator's Room
2026
Leading Education Through Belonging, Bold Leadership, and Whole-Child Transformation
The Educator's Room · Top 50 Educators Feature
Additional features and media coverage appear on the Honors & Media page.
Next step
Bring this experience to your team
Speaking, consulting, and partnership inquiries are welcome year-round.