Indy Standard

Indianapolis Public Schools recently conducted an interview with Frances Rivera, principal at T.C. Howe Middle School, to discuss her thoughts on National Hispanic Heritage Month. This month is celebrated from September 15 to October 15 and acknowledges the contributions of Hispanic Americans to U.S. history and culture.

Rivera, in her first year at Howe, brings over a decade of educational experience, having served as assistant principal at Ernie Pyle School 90 before joining Howe. Her background includes being an IB Leading the Learning certified administrator and experience as a dual language teacher and curriculum developer.

When asked about how her Latino/Hispanic heritage influences her leadership approach in K-12 education, Rivera stated: "My Latino/Hispanic heritage has instilled values of community, respect, and the importance of family, cultural diversity, and having a rich support network. This is what guides my efforts to create an inclusive and supportive environment for our students regardless of their background."

Rivera expressed pride in her Puerto Rican roots: "I am most proud of the strong sense of family, community, and inclusivity ingrained in Puerto Rican culture." She emphasized that these qualities have helped her overcome challenges throughout her career.

Reflecting on her journey to becoming a school leader after moving from Puerto Rico during middle school without speaking English initially, she noted: "My cultural background is a big part of what drives my passion for equity, inclusivity, and empowering students and families from diverse backgrounds to succeed."

Regarding how her heritage shapes her professional vision for T.C. Howe Middle School, Rivera explained: "It instills in me a deep commitment to inclusivity, cultural diversity, and community engagement."

Finally, Rivera shared how she encourages students from Latino/Hispanic backgrounds: “Be proud of your language, where you come from; don’t hide it; this is what makes you great.”