Dr. María Melendez-Tirado is an education professional with over two decades of experience, currently serving as the Acting Deputy Commissioner of Fiscal and Administrative Services for the Virgin Islands Department of Education. Fluent in both English and Spanish, she has significantly contributed to education through effective technology integration and strategic leadership.

Dr. Melendez-Tirado began her career as an Elementary Teacher, focusing on curriculum development and technology integration. She advanced to key administrative roles, including Director of the Territories Freely & Associated States Education Grant, Director of Federal Grants, and Assistant Principal, where she excelled in federal grant management, regulatory compliance, program budgeting, and school improvement planning. Her expertise in disaster recovery and project management was highlighted in her role as Senior Manager of Disaster Recovery Monitoring and Compliance.

As Chief of Staff and later Chief Turnaround Officer, Dr. Melendez-Tirado oversaw support systems for underperforming schools, driving strategic improvements. A Certified Public Manager (CPM), she holds numerous professional certifications, including Principal, Technology Coordinator, and Online Virtual Instruction.

Dr. Melendez-Tirado’s academic achievements include a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of the Virgin Islands, a Master of Arts in Education specializing in Computers and Technology, a Certificate in Instructional Design and Technology from Walden University, and a Doctor of Education in E-Learning from Northcentral University.

PREVIOUS NEXT