Nilka Avilés, Ed.D.
Senior Education Associate, Intercultural Development Research Association

Nilka Avilés, Ed.D., is an IDRA senior education associate focusing on teacher professional development in science, particularly in serving English language learners and strengthening college access and readiness for underserved and underrepresented students in higher education. She earned an Ed.D. in educational leadership from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Her dissertation title was “Examining the Components of the Early College High School Model and the Impact on the Participants in the Program.” She received her master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Texas at San Antonio and her bachelor of arts degree in secondary education, specializing in biology from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras campus.

Dr. Avilés has worked in the governmental sector in Puerto Rico, serving as a teacher, personnel director assistant, and director of a cultural and recreational center. She later taught science in the Edgewood Independent School District in San Antonio along with teaching English as a second language and GED prep to adult learners. She later served as academic dean and then principal.

During her exemplary career, Dr. Avilés was selected among educators throughout the nation to attend science symposiums in prestigious universities such as Princeton University, University of California-Berkeley, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Texas-Austin, University of Northern Colorado, and others. In the 1990-91 school year, Dr. Avilés was selected campus and district Teacher of the Year and was a nominee for the San Antonio Trinity Prize for Excellence in Teaching and recipient of the Sigma XI Outstanding Science Educator Award.

In 1994, Dr. Avilés was promoted to the position of Academic Dean of Memorial High School. Under her leadership, Memorial rose to the top of the Edgewood district in the state TAAS testing scores. She set in motion a change to instill pride and a work ethic in teachers, pushing many to excellence.

After serving for five years as academic dean, Dr. Avilés was tapped by the district to open and lead the Above and Beyond Ninth Grade High School Initiative to serve students who were considered at-risk of dropping out of school, where, as a result, 114 of 118 students moved to the 10^th grade, compared to 40 percent retention rates for ninth graders in the district and state.

Dr. Avilés served as principal at Gus García Middle School where she re-establish the direction of the school and help change the culture and climate of the school. Two months into the 2000-01 school year, she was informed that an elementary would be transferring sixth grade students and teachers to her school due to construction. She incorporated this new class of students into the campus and worked tirelessly to support the staff and establish a triad: building relationships with parents, teachers and students to increase academic and social excellence. Gus García Middle School quickly jumped to the top or near the top of TAAS scores in the district and in the city. Dr. Avilés served as lead principal for the secondary division, mentoring and assisting principals in the Edgewood ISD from 2002 to 2004.

Dr. Avilés’ nomination, as one of five state finalists for the HEB Excellence in Education Principal’s Award, was in recognition of an outstanding career and a passion for education. She has received numerous teaching awards of excellence and appreciation, but she most cherishes the former students who return, sharing their successes and how she has influenced their lives in a positive way.

In July of 2004, in pursuit of an opportunity to reach the goal of being a college professor, Dr. Avilés joined the workforce of the University of Texas at San Antonio where she directed of the Early College High School (ECHS), a pioneer program in the state of Texas and of the UTSA P-20 Initiatives Office. The Office of P20 named her the ECHS Champion for her passionate enthusiasm, courageous dedication and commitment to her students.

At IDRA, she is collaboratively strengthening and creating self-renewing public schools that work for all children, valuing and empowering them along with their families and communities. Her focus is building capacity in the area of science education and college readiness fostering quality schools and nurturing sustainable connections that produce effective and productive performance outcomes.

In addition, Dr. Avilés has been a college instructor for the College of Education and Human Development; Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Department at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She has been teaching the following graduate-level courses to teachers working to become school administrators: EDU 6223: “Education in a Cultural and Linguistic Diverse Society,” which immerses students in an interdisciplinary overview and deeper understanding of matters related to culture and equity in education from philosophical, historical, political and sociological perspectives; EDL 5303: “Human Relations in Educational Administration,” which prepares students in their supportive role in the supervision of professionals in education to comprehend how positive interpersonal relationships contribute to the process of potentiality, actualization and efficacy development; and EDL 5403: “The Principalship: Educational Unit and Site Administration,” which prepares students to assume formal and informal leadership roles in schools.Dr. Avilés has received many awards for her dedication, commitment and passion for student success and she has presented her research at many conferences throughout various states. 

IDRA is an independent, private non-profit organization, directed by María Robledo Montecel, Ph.D., dedicated to strengthening public schools to work for all children. As a vanguard leadership development and research team for more than three decades, IDRA has worked with people to create self-renewing schools that value and empower all children, families and communities. IDRA conducts research and development activities, creates, implements and administers innovative education programs and provides teacher, administrator, and parent training and technical assistance.

Contacting staff at IDRA: Thanks to the world of spam, we cannot post the email address of individual staff members. However, you can either call IDRA directly at 210-444-1710 or use our online form to have your message directed to the staff member you want to reach.