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Since joining the Miami Unified School District (MUSD) as Superintendent just four months ago, Dr. Richard K. Ramos has set a strategic plan in motion that is aimed at increasing student achievement and fostering a deeper relationship with the community. With 29 years in education, including his recent tenure as Executive Director of Innovation and Learning for Roosevelt School District in Phoenix, Dr. Ramos brings a blend of experience and vision to the District. His plans are ambitious, involving a four-part framework that he believes will shift MUSD’s path for years to come.
Building Community Ties with the Business Partner Café
Central to Dr. Ramos’ vision for MUSD is what he calls the Business Partner Café—a unique program that leverages community relationships to help drive educational goals. The Café brings together local businesses, District leaders, and students in structured gatherings designed to encourage dialogue and collaboration.
“We needed something to bridge the gap between the District and our stakeholders,” explains Dr. Ramos. “With the Café, our community members are no longer just spectators; they’re active participants in shaping our future.”
Since the initial launch of the Business Partner Café, 70 local business leaders and 25 students now gather quarterly in the Miami Junior-Senior High School Library, where students themselves help to facilitate conversations. Student representatives at each table lead discussions on topics like the District’s new vision and mission statements, as well as what Dr. Ramos calls a “portrait of a graduate”—a concept detailing the characteristics students need to have in order to attend college, and work in our community and the global market.
The partnerships created within the Café have also inspired tangible contributions. When the District needed new staff T-shirts, four partners quickly stepped up with donations, demonstrating the power of community support. “Building a network system like this is essential to the District growing and thriving in the Miami community,” said Dr. Ramos.
Another example of the buy-in Dr. Ramos has achieved with community organizations is one with ConvergeOne. Working together, Dr. Ramos and ConvergeOne successfully wrote, submitted and was awarded a grant for a school violence prevention program within just five weeks. The success of the Business Partner Café has even extended beyond Gila County, with other districts, like those in Pinal County, taking interest in replicating this innovative, community-focused approach.
According to Dr. Ramos, he is laying a foundation of trust, accountability, and mutual benefit in the community. “Our message is out there, and we’re seeing real buy-in,” he says.
Kids at Hope: A Framework for Student Potential
Another key pillar of Dr. Ramos’ plan is the Kids at Hope philosophy which is all about seeing children “at hope” rather than “at risk.” Founded on the belief that every child can succeed, the framework provides students with four mentors, known as “Aces,” who support them across different areas of life: family, school, recreation, and community. These Aces help to gauge what needs are filled, or not filled, in the life of each child.
“This is more than a program,” says Dr. Ramos. “It’s a mindset that reshapes how we approach student success. Every child is seen as having an unlimited potential to succeed, no matter their circumstances.”
The four mentors are essential to the Kids at Hope model, which seeks to instill a sense of future orientation in students. The District encourages students to set personal goals across four domains—home and family, hobbies and recreation, college and career, and community and service. Each goal helps students visualize a positive future, laying out a path for their success.
By facilitating these connections between students and adults who are invested in their future, the District is creating a supportive, goal-oriented environment that enables students to look ahead with optimism.
Enhancing Teaching with the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET)
One of the structural changes Dr. Ramos has introduced is the implementation of the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) model. Focused on enhancing teaching quality through professional development, NIET has shifted how MUSD evaluates and supports its educators.
“The NIET model allows us to invest in our teachers in a way that directly benefits student achievement,” explains Dr. Ramos. “We’re focusing on effective teaching practices that support all students, regardless of their background.”
This partnership with NIET provides MUSD with a three-year, $2 million grant that funds master teachers—two in grades K-6 and two in grades 7-12 —who mentor other educators. These master teachers meet with other faculty weekly, providing ongoing guidance on teaching strategies, curriculum alignment, and classroom management techniques. Through these interactions, the District has seen a change in how educators approach teaching, leading to improved student outcomes and a stronger school community.
The program also includes a performance-based pay structure for teachers, an incentive that Dr. Ramos believes will help attract and retain high-quality educators in Miami’s rural setting.
“By supporting our teachers and rewarding their successes, we’re creating a culture of excellence that benefits both students and the community,” he says.
Fostering Creativity and Teamwork in the Innovation Lab
Dr. Ramos is also focused on establishing Innovation Labs within the District. Currently, there is one Innovation Lab at the Miami Junior-Senior High School where students engage in hands-on, team-based problem-solving activities that go beyond traditional classroom instruction. The lab’s flexible spaces, with mobile furniture and updated technology, are designed to support different kinds of learning experiences and foster collaborative and project-based learning. In one example project, students might define a local problem, brainstorm potential solutions, develop a prototype, and present their ideas to an audience of educators and community members.
“We want to cultivate critical thinkers and problem solvers who are prepared for the real world,” Dr. Ramos explains. “The goal is to provide a space where students can explore their creativity while building essential skills in teamwork, communication, and innovation.”
A Vision for the Future
As Dr. Ramos moves forward with his strategic plan for MUSD, he’s continuously focused on encouraging a District-wide culture of growth, urgency, and collaboration.
For the broader Miami community, Dr. Ramos offers an open invitation to get involved and be part of the District’s progress. “Our community’s support and trust are essential to achieving our goals,” he says. “Together, we can build a District that not only prepares students for academic success but also empowers them to be leaders and problem solvers in the world beyond.”
For more information about the Miami Unified School District or to get involved in these and upcoming initiatives, contact Dr. Ramos at 928-425-3271 ext.1101 or via email at rramos@miamiusd40.org.
Carissa Pool is an Arizona native who grew up in Glendale and now lives in Peoria. Carissa earned her bachelor of arts degree from Arizona State University West and in her 15-plus year career in marketing and public relations has worked with a range of clients across various industries, from construction to non-profits. While she takes great pride in her professional achievements, her greatest joys come from writing and cherishing her role as a mother to her two young daughters.
