Dr. Marisa Rivas is currently working as an Instructional Services Specialist in the department of Research, Assessment, and Evaluation in Riverside Unified School District.  She earned her doctorate degree at Azusa Pacific University studying the factors that affect the school-wide implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) programs.  As a teacher, she received the Milken Educator Award which honors and rewards outstanding K-12 educators nationally for their exceptional educational talent as evidenced by effective instructional practices and student learning results in the classroom. 

During her more than 20 years in education, Dr. Rivas has served as an elementary school principal, middle school teacher, and as an educational consultant, where she trained and coached teachers on the use of educational technology.  She is an active member of California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators (CALSA) and the Milken Educator Network, a group of more than 2,900 distinguished educators and leaders from across the country, whose expertise and mentorship serve as a valuable resource to fellow educators, legislators, school boards and others shaping the future of education.   

Dr. Rivas is passionate about the strategic use of data to improve academic and behavioral outcomes for diverse student populations.  She has been instrumental in the implementation of Universal Screeners within an MTSS Framework, leading professional development to guide teachers in using the data to impact outcomes for students.  She strives to create a culture of data literacy utilizing the Cycle of Inquiry to inform the assessment continuum.