Dr. Maribel Lopez was born in Tucson, Arizona and raised in a rural town called Marana. Maribel’s father is from Brownsville, Texas and mother from Nueva Rosita, Coahuila. Maribel’s household was Spanish-speaking with no English skills until she reached first grade, therefore, known as an English Language Learner. Maribel’s embraced her Hispanic culture and having the opportunity in being bilingual.
Dr. Lopez’s years of experience in working with school districts throughout southern Arizona provides a broad perspective for collaborative policy development, strategic planning, financial decision-making, staff professional development, and data-driven instruction best practices. In her twenty four years, she has taught Spanish to Catalina Foothills, bilingual education/regular education, a tile 1 position in the Sunnyside school district, a school principal in Sahuarita, a school principal and a Director of Research and Development for the Florence Unified School District. She is currently a school principal in the Coolidge Unified School District.
Maribel earned her Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Instructional Leadership, with Distinction, in 2015 from Grand Canyon University. She holds a Master’s degree in Bilingual/Multicultural Education, with Distinction, from Northern Arizona University, and a Bachelor’s in Education from Prescott College. Her credentials include Arizona Administrative, Early Elementary and K-8 Standard Teaching certifications with English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement. She is bilingual/bicultural in English and Spanish.
Dr. Lopez’s is an advocate for her community. Maribel works with business and community organizations to promote education, mentorship and future employment opportunities for thousands of Arizona students. Her professional affiliations include active memberships in the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the Arizona Latino School Board Association, Arizona School Board Association, and the National School Board Association. Elected positions include the Arizona Teacher Education Partnership, four terms on the Marana Unified School Board, and have been a member of the Federal Relations Network, Washington D.C. Lobbyists.
Dr. Lopez’s passion extends to four-year terms as a re-elected candidate for the Marana Unified School Board. She currently has served for 15 years, and continues providing a role as a servant leader for the Marana Unified School District. This opportunity not only stops at school level sites, but also impacts a district of almost 13,000 students. My experience as a board member allowed her to work collaboratively to run a successful school district for students and make financial decisions. I have gained experience in what it takes to run a flourishing competitive school district with existing 21st century needs. The innovative new schools has brought the opportunity to share her skills, work collaboratively as a team, bring ideas, stay competitive with other districts, and market our schools as a choice where parents want their children to go to school, shows her commitment to education for staff, parents, and the community.
Marana Unified School District
