María Petrella is a dedicated educational leader with more than 20 years of experience advocating for bilingual learners and students with disabilities. Fully bilingual in English and Spanish, she has served in several key leadership roles, including Assistant Principal at Pinnacle School #35 and Director of Bilingual Education and World Languages, where she oversaw PreK–12 bilingual, ENL, and world language programs.
María’s career reflects her steadfast commitment to educational equity and access. She has designed and facilitated high quality professional development for bilingual and ENL educators, collaborated with community partners to strengthen school–family engagement, and ensured compliance with state and federal regulations supporting multilingual learners. Her foundation as a Bilingual Instructional Coach and Bilingual Special Education Teacher grounds her leadership in strong instructional practices and inclusive, student-centered approaches.
She holds dual master’s degrees in K–12 Leadership and Bilingual/Multicultural Education, along with New York State certifications in School District Leadership, School Building Leadership, Bilingual Extension, Special Education, and Childhood Education. María brings deep expertise, strategic leadership, and a passion for culturally and linguistically responsive education.
Guided by the belief that bilingualism and biculturalism are powerful assets, María continues to champion high-quality bilingual education that promotes academic achievement, equity, and the social-emotional development of English language learners across New York State.
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