As students across the state plan for their future, Academy for Innovative Education in Miami-Dade County is making exceptional strides thanks to the tireless efforts of Vice Principal Dorremi Canelo. A former school counselor, Canelo has transitioned into a leadership role while continuing to champion college and career readiness with unwavering dedication. Because of this, she was recognized as the 2025 College Ready Florida Innovator at the Talent Strong Florida Summit.
Wearing many hats, Canelo continues to oversee a wide array of postsecondary initiatives, ensuring that every student receives the personalized support, resources, and guidance necessary to reach their goals after graduation.
One of Canelo’s most innovative and impactful contributions is the Senior Round-Up, a interactive workshop held before the school year begins. Seniors dress in western-themed attire and participate in engaging sessions covering critical topics such as the college application process, FAFSA completion, graduation requirements, and letters of recommendation. More than just an informative event, the Round-Up fosters a sense of community and excitement around the college journey.
Recognizing the crucial role families play in student success, Canelo also hosts a Senior Parent Night, providing each parent with a customized folder containing individualized information about their child’s academic progress, graduation status, and next steps. Canelo personally assists families with FAFSA completion and holds one-on-one meetings with students to review college essays, write letters of recommendation, and offer continuous updates on scholarships and deadlines. The area’s local community coalition, Bridge 2 Life, also provides various FAFSA resources to support students including informational FAFSA videos.
Canelo’s support doesn’t stop at senior year. To build a culture of college and career readiness across all grade levels, she organizes annual assemblies for grades 6–12, educating students on promotion and graduation requirements, academic pathways, and acceleration opportunities.
Thanks to these visionary efforts, students under her guidance have gained admission to top-tier institutions. Additionally, Canelo oversees the Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, offering students the chance to graduate with industry-recognized certifications in areas like Adobe Visual and Video Design, Python programming, robotics, pre-engineering, and emergency medical response.
Through these comprehensive initiatives, Canelo has significantly increased student engagement in the college-going process, strengthened academic programs, and empowered countless students to realize their postsecondary dreams.
Congratulations to FCAN’s 2025 College Ready Florida Innovator!