Dr. Oliveras-Ortiz is a former bilingual teacher and Texas school principal.  She worked in K-12 for 20 years prior to joining the University of Texas at Tyler faculty as an assistant professor of Educational Leadership and Curriculum and Instruction. She's the Interim Assistant Director of School of Education and also serves as the co-director of the Doctor of Education in School Improvement Program and coordinator of the Curriculum & Instruction Graduate Program.  Dr. Oliveras is President of the UT Tyler University Academy School Board. Her research agenda includes instructional supervision and the work of principals in rural schools, particularly the work of Belizean principals. She is also involved in the study of the impact learning spaces have on student engagement. Dr. Oliveras-Ortiz holds a B.S. in Elementary Education, an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Language & Literacy, and Ph. D. in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Curriculum and Supervision from Penn State University.