Jose Dotres, Superintendent, Miami-Dade County Public Schools

Invest: spoke with Jose Dotres, superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, about how the nation’s third-largest school district is connecting classroom learning to real-world opportunity. “We want our high school graduates to leave with a diploma and be able to present an entry-level resume that reflects the experiences, credentials, certifications, and accomplishments they’ve already earned,” Dotres said.

What are your top priorities as you lead Miami-Dade County Public Schools forward?
Our first priority is ensuring that every student builds a strong academic foundation. That means ensuring students are performing on grade level — and continuing to grow above grade level — in reading, mathematics, and science. Academic excellence remains the cornerstone of everything we do because it opens every door that follows.

One of our most important priorities is ensuring that we are deliberately creating a learning ecosystem that is deeply connected to industry. The idea that students graduate with only a high school diploma is no longer enough. We are focused on graduating students with a high school diploma plus.

That plus includes internships, apprenticeships, mentorships, industry certifications, and advanced coursework that gives students a real entry point into either higher education or the workforce. We are envisioning our district as an organization that provides multiple pathways. Some students will go to college, others will go directly into the workforce, and many will do both over time. To support that, we’ve expanded opportunities in advanced placement, workforce connections, and industry certifications across areas like culinary arts, finance, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and logistics, which is especially important in Miami. At the end of the day, we want our high school graduates to leave with a diploma and be able to present an entry-level resume that reflects the experiences, credentials, certifications, and accomplishments they’ve already earned.

Another major priority is how we are implementing artificial intelligence. We are leaders in using AI across teaching and learning, supported by a strong partnership with Google’s education division. AI is being used not just as a tool for students but also to enhance instruction for teachers. We approach this thoughtfully, keeping students, teachers, and parents involved.

Another major focus is early childhood education. We are expanding high-quality programming grid for younger students, including three-year-olds, and partnering with private early childhood providers by welcoming them onto our school sites. This allows them to access stronger facilities while strengthening the overall quality of early learning in our community.

How is the district addressing staffing challenges while investing in educator success?
Hiring and retaining high-quality educators is the most important work we do. Talent makes the difference. Like many districts nationwide, we’ve seen fewer graduates coming from traditional colleges of education, so we’ve expanded our recruitment efforts significantly.

Today, about 60 percent of the teachers we hire are coming from outside traditional education programs. We are bringing in professionals from a wide range of fields who bring valuable real-world expertise into the classroom. I was one of those career changers myself, so I understand the value they bring. Our recruitment is not only focused on colleges of education. We recruit across disciplines because our offerings require talent from nursing, finance, technology, and other specialized fields.

We’ve also implemented paid internships for university students. The old model of 12 weeks of unpaid internship no longer works. We now pay interns so they enter the profession faster and with greater support. In addition, Florida’s teacher apprenticeship program has been transformative. Through partnerships with institutions like Miami Dade College, students can complete an associate degree, enter a paid apprenticeship, and finish their bachelor’s degree while working alongside an experienced teacher. In the end, they become fully certified.

We are also developing homegrown talent. Paraprofessionals who are doing excellent work in classrooms have pathways into teaching. We do the same with clerical staff who have degrees and the interest and skill to step into instructional roles. We also present ourselves as an employer of choice with opportunities beyond classrooms, including IT, finance, procurement, and the largest school police department in the country, with more than 500 officers.

How does the district sustain high graduation rates and strong academic performance?
We are deeply committed to continuous improvement. Miami-Dade County Public Schools has been an A-rated district by the state of Florida for six consecutive years, and excellence remains non-negotiable for us.

Our graduation rate reached 95 percent, and we’ve sustained that level for multiple years. That success comes from strong partnerships with local colleges, a focus on academic achievement, and a commitment to innovation. Our community and school board expect us to deliver results for students, and we take that responsibility seriously.

A major driver of success is how we support teachers. New educators are no longer handed the keys and sent into classrooms alone. We invest heavily in induction, coaching, and ongoing professional development. Education is changing rapidly, and we must equip teachers with the tools and training they need to deliver relevant, high-quality instruction in a technology-driven world.

What new academic initiatives and career pathways are preparing students for future workforce needs?
We are in the process of developing our strategic plan, and part of that work is defining what skills students need when they graduate. 

We are expanding programs in cybersecurity, logistics, architecture, and engineering, as well as international offerings like Cambridge and International Baccalaureate programs. The arts also remain a priority.

Entrepreneurship is another growing area of interest for students. Many no longer envision traditional career paths and instead want to start their own businesses. We are expanding business programs to reflect that reality, while continuing to strengthen established pathways that align with in-demand careers.

With more than a thousand magnet and choice programs, our district no longer operates on a simple neighborhood-school model. Families have access across the board to choose programs based on student interests, strengths, and long-term goals.

What initiatives are in place to support student mental wellness?
Student mental health is an area we take seriously. We have more than 140 mental health coordinators who support the work of counselors and help connect students to community resources when additional services are needed.

We also ensure that educators are trained to recognize and respond to mental health needs. Nearly 90 percent of our instructional staff have completed mental health first aid training, which strengthens early identification and support.

How do partnerships with business, community, and government leaders enhance student outcomes?
Partnerships are essential to delivering education that is relevant and connected to the real world. We no longer view partners simply as supporters. We want to see them as co-educators.

Businesses and community organizations can bring students into workplaces, provide internships and mentorships, and give feedback on curriculum and programs. This ensures that what we teach aligns with what industries actually need. Academic learning must be paired with industry-connected experiences, so students have multiple pathways to success.

We’ve built relationships with organizations like American Airlines, Florida Power & Light, and major automotive and logistics companies, and we will continue expanding those efforts. Partnerships help students avoid earning credentials that do not translate into employment. Instead, they graduate with skills, experiences, and connections that lead to meaningful careers. At the end of the day, partnerships make our schools more relevant to the community, and that relevance is the way forward.