Dr. Cynthia Rapaido

Dr. Cynthia Rapaido, a highly accomplished educator, holds an Ed.D. in International and Multicultural Education and an M.A. in Educational Administration from the University of San Francisco. With over 30 years of experience in K–12 education, she has served as a high school principal, assistant principal, and biology/chemistry teacher, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the educational landscape across various schools and districts in California. Dr. Rapaido’s dedication extends to higher education, where she has contributed significantly as a faculty lecturer, dissertation advisor, and university field supervisor at esteemed institutions such as the University of California, Berkeley, University of San Francisco, and California State University, East Bay. Her passion for teaching, mentoring, and coaching educators is evident in her continuing role as an educational leadership coach and consultant. She also mentors graduate and doctoral students at her alma maters. Often actively engaged in research, Dr. Rapaido participates in academic peer review panels and presents her work at conferences, covering diverse topics within education and leadership. Her research interests include educational leadership, teacher education, school climate, diversity sensitivity, multicultural competency, social justice, emotional intelligence, and the impact of colonialism and imperialism. Dr. Rapaido was honored by the Filipina Women’s Network (FWN) in 2011 as one of 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the United States. She was commended by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA)and received the 2013 California Secondary Co-Administrator of the Year award. The following year, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) recognized her as a finalist for the prestigious "Assistant Principal of the Year" award for the State of California, highlighting her outstanding, active, and front-line leadership. Dr. Rapaido is a respected figure in education, known for her expertise, leadership, and dedication to academic excellence and inclusivity. She currently lives in San Leandro, California with her husband. In her free time, she likes playing the piano, making handcrafted jewelry, dancing, and skating. This is her first book.