MNT2ACHIEVE with Priscila Torres
An Interview with Priscila Torres, Founding Head of School and Chief Academic Officer, Escola Concept, Sao Paulo Brazil
“Leadership is all about relationships and people...The right people, in the right positions, will lead you to extraordinary results. ”
Were you always a leader? When did you know you had the capacity to lead?
I would say that I had leadership aspirations and that I was a natural leader in many ways since the beginning of my career in education. I remember speaking to my first Head of School about offering academic clubs to students as part of their co-curriculars since the school did not have these options ... this evolved into becoming a coach for several of these clubs, which later evolved into other leadership opportunities. I knew I had the capacity to lead when several colleagues came to me for support with classroom management, planning ideas, or even to ask for suggestions. Another indication was when my principals asked me to lead committees, lead PD opportunities, or take on additional roles/responsibilities. I also got involved in many opportunities outside the scope of my teaching position, which focused on supporting the community in different ways - as this started happening more often, I noticed people knew they could count on me and trust me to get things done well and in a timely manner.
Who or what had a strong Influence on you growing up?
My parents always had a very strong influence on me growing up. They always emphasized that education, integrity and a strong work ethic could get anyone anywhere.
Can you summarize your career trajectory from the first job to present?
I began my education career as a teacher at Wizard/Wisdom, a language school in Brazil. After that I worked at School of Nations, Brazil where I began as a permanent substitute served as a summer camp counselor, and held a variety of academic and co-curricular roles including Middle School Science Teacher, AP Science teacher, Head of the Science Department for the International Program, Forensics Coach, MUN Director, and Cheerleading Coach. Later I founded Discovery Learning Center, which offered tutoring services in all subjects, SAT, ACT, TOEFL, and college essays. At the American School of Brasilia, I held a variety of positions including Middle School Assistant Principal, Middle School Principal, IB Coordinator and Director of Advanced Services. At North Broward Preparatory School I began as the Residential Academic Coordinator and served as the High School Assistant Principal, Currently, I am the Founding Head of School, Chief Academic Officer for Concept Schools, a group of three schools located in Brazil.
What role have mentors played in your life?
Mentors have really played a very important and inspirational role in my life. I have had a few mentors who supported me throughout my career at different stages. Mentors coached me, listened to me, advised me, and gave me A LOT of feedback.
What is the most difficult leadership lesson you’ve learned?
The fact that hard work, dedication, and integrity are not solely the most important characteristics for a great leader to have... competence alone will not get you there either... and the toughest lesson of all is that young age, looks, and personality, will influence how people view you as a leader.
How do you maintain a work-life balance?
I wonder if it is realistic to say that work-life balance fully exists...
I try to maintain it by including appointments with myself throughout the evening, such as setting a time to exercise, finding a realistic time to go home, protecting time to be with family, and allowing myself a certain time to disconnect.
What advice do you have for aspiring leaders?
Her’s my advice for aspiring leaders:
Get involved in the community beyond your job description and focus on developing tight networks within the community.
Be a team player.
Read education books and business books - when reading business books think about how they can apply to the business of education.
Study - position yourself to be well prepared.
Talk to seasoned leaders.
Find a mentor you trust.
What would your 21-year-old self think of you now?
My 21-year-old self would be very proud to see how much I achieved in 20 years! She would be particularly impressed by my perseverance, resilience, and my open mindset to take risks.
What is a favorite leadership quote and why?
“First Who ... Then What. We expected that good-to-great leaders would begin by setting a new vision and strategy. We found instead that they first got the right people on the bus, the wrong people off the bus, and the right people in the right seats—and then they figured out where to drive it. The old adage 'People are your most important asset' turns out to be wrong. People are not your most important asset. The right people are.” Jim Collins, Good to Great
What is next for you?
To transition into a full time educational corporate role, leading the Concept Schools as their Chief Academic Officer.
BIO
Priscila Torres is an international educator who continues to enjoy over twenty years of working in international school settings in both the United States and South America. She is a life-long learner.
Priscila completed a Master’s degree in International Education, a graduate degree in Neurological Development, and a third graduate degree at the John’s Hopkins University in Leadership and Supervision with a focus on Technology. Early in her career she combined her passion for education, leadership, and entrepreneurship and founded and managed her own tutoring business; Discovery Learning Center (Brasília, Brazil), for twelve years.
Her most recent career experiences include serving Grupo SEB as both the Chief Academic Officer for the three Concept Schools of innovation in Brazil and the Founding Head of School of the Concept School, São Paulo, Brazil. In Florida, Priscila served the North Broward Preparatory School community as the High School Assistant Principal and Residential Academic Coordinator. Earlier in her career, I served the American School community in Brasília, Brazil as the Middle School Principal, Director of Advanced Services and Gifted and Talented education, International Baccalaureate (IB) Program Coordinator, and an AdvancED pre‐accreditation consultant. Before being a school leader, she taught Math, Science, and ESOL.
In addition to being a very active educator inside her immediate community, Priscila has been equally active in the greater educational community. She developed academic support systems, published articles in the newsletter for the Association of American Schools in South America, presented in several educational conferences at the national and international level and have been engaged with international student recruitment.
Priscila is a passionate and innovative leader of learning who prides herself in developing strong relationships, cultivating talents, and inspiring those around her.