Maria F. Vazquez, Ed.D.
As the daughter of immigrants, Dr. Maria F. Vazquez understands the power education has to transform lives. Her parents fled Cuba, leaving everything they owned behind to provide a better life for their family. They instilled in her that education was the most valuable currency she had and she could not squander it. A first-generation American, Dr. Vazquez traces her passion for education back to the talented, dedicated teachers who changed her own life. Through the work of caring adults, school was a safe place where Dr. Vazquez thrived; she succeeded despite her language barrier. It is because of those experiences that she has made it her life’s work to create learning environments where students feel supported and successful.
As a teacher, principal, and administrator, Dr. Maria F. Vazquez has dedicated her career to ensuring every student has a pathway to success.
Dr. Vazquez has served at every level of the education system and has extensive expertise in curriculum and instruction. After beginning her career as an elementary school classroom teacher and resource teacher in reading and language arts, Dr. Vazquez served as an assistant principal and principal in OCPS. She served the district across multiple roles including area superintendent and chief academic officer before being promoted to deputy superintendent in 2018 and now Superintendent of the 8th largest school district in the country. During her tenure at OCPS, Dr. Vazquez has developed a proven track record of leadership for educational equity. She has expanded access to advanced coursework for historically underserved students, recruited great teachers to the most vulnerable schools, and reprioritized the district’s budget to support teaching and learning. Under her leadership, Orange County Public Schools earned an “A” grade from the Florida Department of Education for the 2023-24 school year.
An active community member, Dr. Vazquez currently serves on several boards, including Orlando Economic Partnership, City Year of Orlando, United Arts of Central Florida and CareerSource Central Florida. She is also a member of the prestigious Chiefs for Change.
Dr. Vazquez has been married for 38 years to her husband Ulysses Vazquez. They have three children, Elizabeth, Stephanie and Robert as well four beautiful grandsons, Wyatt, Henry, Theodore, and Charles. Her greatest joy is spending time with her family.