Iralys Lopez
Program Director
Springboard Collaborative
Philadelphia, PA USA
“There is a big need for people in the U.S. and the world in general to contribute their little grain of salt in education.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationIralys Lopez
Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
I come from a family of educators—both of my parents and my sisters are teachers.
I earned my bachelor’s degree in political science with a concentration in international relations.
I started in the education field by joining the Teach for America program—which is also what brought me from Puerto Rico to the U.S.—and remained in the field ever since.
After Teach for America, I worked as a Spanish teacher for five years.
I eventually experienced burnout as a teacher and started searching for opportunities to reignite my passion for education.
A friend of mine introduced me to Springboard Collaborative and after learning about their mission statement, I knew it was the right opportunity for me.
I currently work as a program director for Springboard Collaborative, an organization that aims to close the literacy gap between home and school.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Bachelor
Political Science
University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus
Political Science
University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus
Graduate
Urban Education
University of Pennsylvania
Urban Education
University of Pennsylvania
Career
Program Director
I help to close the literacy gap through a program that engages both educators and families.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Education
Non-Profit Organizations
Teaching / Mentoring
Day to Day
A day in the life of a program director may vary based on the stage in which we are working with school districts and partners. In this role, a good portion of my time is spent on planning, supporting school leaders, coaching, and analyzing data to improve programming at schools.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for college students
There is a huge need in the world for people who want to contribute to education. If that's you, go for it. I got my start as an educator through the Teach for America program. If you want to get into a position like my current role, I recommend finding an early childhood literacy program.
Recommended Education
My career is not related to what I studied. I'd recommend this path instead:
Bachelor
Education - Early Childhood K-3 Literacy
Education - Early Childhood K-3 Literacy
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Society in General:
"Families are far removed from school."
