About Cynthia Rapaido
Dr. Cynthia Rapaido, Ed.D., is a nationally recognized Filipina-American educator, leadership coach, and author, with over 30 years of impactful experience in K–12 education and higher education. She holds a Doctorate in International and Multicultural Education and a Master’s in Educational Administration from the University of San Francisco...
…Throughout her distinguished career, Dr. Rapaido has served as a high school principal, assistant principal, and classroom teacher, providing her with a 360-degree understanding of the educational system across diverse school districts in California. She is known for her deep commitment to equity in education, student success, and inclusive school leadership.
Champion for Educator Development and Inclusive Leadership
In higher education, Dr. Rapaido has made substantial contributions as a university lecturer, dissertation advisor, and field supervisor at top-tier institutions including the University of California, Berkeley, University of San Francisco, and California State University, East Bay. She is passionate about mentoring new administrators, supporting doctoral students, and coaching emerging leaders in education.
As a seasoned educational leadership consultant, Dr. Rapaido continues to work with school administrators, graduate students, and faculty on navigating school improvement, instructional leadership, and culture-building in multicultural environments.
Published Author and Academic Thought Leader
Her debut book, Step Up Your School Leadership Game: The New Administrators’ Guide – Lessons to Navigate Big and Small Challenges with Confidence and Purpose (July 2024), is now available on Amazon. This practical guide equips aspiring and new administrators with real-world strategies for success in today’s evolving educational landscape.
Dr. Rapaido is an active researcher and conference speaker, frequently presenting on topics such as:
- Educational leadership
- School climate and culture
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion in schools
- Multicultural competence
- Emotional intelligence in education
- Decolonization and the impact of colonialism in schooling
She regularly serves on academic peer review panels and collaborates on research that supports transformational leadership and equity-driven school practices.
Recognized for Excellence in Education
Dr. Rapaido’s achievements have earned national and state-level recognition, including:
- Named one of the 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the U.S. by the Filipina Women’s Network (2011)
- Honored as California Secondary Co-Administrator of the Year (2013) by the Association of California School Administrators
- Finalist for Assistant Principal of the Year (2014) by the National Association of Secondary School Principals
Beyond the Classroom
When she’s not leading or mentoring, Dr. Rapaido enjoys playing piano, designing handcrafted jewelry, dancing, and roller skating. She currently resides in California with her husband.
