Dr. Jose Dotres, Superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Faculties (M-DCPS), was honored this week with the 2025 Affect Advocate Award throughout Children’s Week Florida’s annual Advocacy Dinner and Awards Ceremony. The award acknowledges leaders who’ve made a big affect on the lives of kids, teenagers, and households throughout the state by unwavering advocacy and transformative management.
As head of the nation’s third-largest college district—serving over 330,000 college students—Dr. Jose Dotres has earned recognition for his steadfast dedication to schooling fairness, psychological well being entry, literacy, STEM initiatives, and trainer retention, particularly inside underserved communities.
A former English Language Learner himself, Dr. Dotres brings firsthand understanding to his work. Beneath his management, Miami-Dade faculties have expanded assist providers and applied coverage modifications that replicate the various wants of scholars and households. His advocacy has reached past the district stage, together with testimony earlier than the Florida Legislature on essential points similar to early childhood schooling and literacy interventions.
“Dr. Dotres is making such an affect in South Florida and all through the state by talking on points that affect our youth,” stated Erin Smeltzer, President and CEO of the Kids’s Discussion board. “His management and fervour for the way forward for Florida’s kids, notably in underserved communities, is inspiring. It’s clear that his legacy will probably be outlined by the work he’s carried out.”
The award was introduced by Miami-Dade scholar Clint John, Jr., in entrance of a packed room of lawmakers, baby advocates, dad and mom, and educators.
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The night additionally acknowledged former Senator Loranne Ausley with the 2025 Chiles Advocate Award, and South Florida teen Christopher Web page, who acquired the Youth Advocate Award. All three honorees had been introduced with a particular present on behalf of the Lawton Chiles Basis by Bud and Kitty Chiles.
The celebration, sponsored by Walmart, featured leisure from the award-winning Deerlake Center College Orchestra and a keynote handle by B.J. Daniels. It served as each a celebration of advocacy and a name to continued motion on behalf of Florida’s youngest residents.
