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.
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.
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:
She regularly serves on academic peer review panels and collaborates on research that supports transformational leadership and equity-driven school practices.
Dr. Rapaido’s achievements have earned national and state-level recognition, including:
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.
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