Cultural Roots: Chicana
Dr. MariaRosa Rangel is a distinguished education leader with over 30 years of experience in fostering family and community engagement. As the Director of the Family and Community Engagement (FACE) program at Wake County Public Schools (WCPSS), she spearheads initiatives that strengthen school-family partnerships and promote student success.
Dr. Rangel holds a bachelor’s degree in Bilingual/Bicultural and Elementary Education from Northeastern University, as well as a master’s and doctorate in School Administration and Education from NC State University. Throughout her career, she has held key roles as a bilingual teacher, GED instructor, assistant principal, and district leader in multilingual education and Latino outreach.
In her current role at WCPSS, Dr. Rangel coaches school faculty and staff on evidence-based strategies to engage diverse families and enhance their involvement in their children’s education. She also provides district-wide professional development on family engagement and oversees the Family Academy Program, which offers free workshops to caregivers across the district. These workshops, available in eight languages, equip families with the tools to support their children’s academic success. Additionally, Dr. Rangel manages the Saturday Family Academy School, which provides international ESL classes for beginners and intermediate learners, along with free reading tutoring for K-5 students focused on the Science of Reading. The program also offers parent workshops to complement the tutoring services.
Dr. Rangel serves as an adjunct professor at Peace University and is a sought-after speaker on culturally responsive teaching. She holds leadership positions in several organizations, including the NC Society of Hispanic Professionals, Wake PTA Council, NC Education Corps, and NCREADS. From 2017 to 2023, she chaired the NC Governor’s Advisory Council on Hispanic/ Latino Affairs.
Her exceptional contributions to education have earned her numerous accolades, including the Ohtli Award, Latino Diamante Award, Hispanic Woman of the Year, and the LIFT Innovator Award. In 2023, she was nominated by the Lieutenant Governor for her outstanding work expanding the Family Academy Program to serve families in eight languages.
Dr. Rangel continues to advocate for strategies that empower diverse communities across North Carolina.