Profile
Doris Alvarez, Ph.D.
Principal/Director
The Preuss School UCSD
By accident—that’s how Doris Alvarez started her career in education. And a happy accident it was. Without it, the University of California, San Diego’s Preuss School would be without its dynamic, visionary leader. "I had an interest in international relations, "says Doris. "Somehow I got into one course that had an educational bent. It was interesting, and I decided education was for me."
Doris began in education as a classroom teacher of English, history, and Spanish—all at the secondary level. Later, she became a counselor. Before coming to Preuss in 1999, Doris spent twelve years as the principal of San Diego's Hoover High School, a comprehensive high school serving 2,000 students.
Preuss is a unique school. Located on the UCSD campus, it is at once a department of the University and a public charter school that serves 770 students in grades 6–12. Its mission is to improve educational practices and provide an intensive college preparatory school for low-income student populations (historically underrepresented on the campuses of the University of California). To accomplish its mission, the school provides an environment where students are continually encouraged and empowered to develop a greater sense of confidence and self-worth through self-sufficiency and a sense of pride in their academic accomplishments. The school fosters a culture of high academic performance in an environment that encourages risk-taking, the art of questioning and logical and critical thinking.
Technology plays an instrumental role at Preuss. It's not the focus of things; it's a tool to get things done. The school's modern building was designed with technology in mind. With at least nine computers in each classroom, Preuss is striving to close the digital divide by giving its students ready access to technology. With the help of the Milford Foundation, the school has introduced a music technology curriculum. The school's Robotics team received the regional Chairman’s Award and will go on to compete at the national level. Student work is maintained in electronic portfolios. Volunteers from the San Diego Supercomputer Center work regularly with students on various projects.
Doris believes we've only begun to tap the potential of technology for education. "Internet surfing and research is great, be we need to do more. We need to use technology in teaching. Inspiration software is one example, but there are so many kinds of software being developed. We just need time to find what's there and time to learn to use it!"
Like many other leaders, Doris also sees a downside to technology. "I've seen it misused a lot, where it takes over and it’s technology for technology’s sake rather than being used as a tool. I’ve seen teachers do lots of fun things, but did students learn anything? A lot of PowerPoints are truly 'powerpointless'; there’s no reason for doing it. When we spend too much time teaching the technology and not enough teaching the content skills, that’s a misuse."
Despite long hours at school, Doris makes time for her personal and family life. She's a seamstress. She's an avid reader and enjoys fiction by authors such as Alice Seabold as well as non-fiction, especially history. With four children and three grand children, there's plenty of family to keep track of. Every summer, Doris tries to shepherd this clan off to Spain to visit family there and to explore the different parts of the country.
What's next for Doris? More of the same. "I like what I do!" she exclaims. "It’s pretty exciting. It’s fun to be a principal. You can really make a difference. There’s so much we know now about teaching and learning. It’s fascinating to try these ideas out and see kids succeed."