Classification Speech

Yamilis Cruz is the Assistant Principal at Bentley Academy Innovation School in Salem, MA, bringing over 13 years of experience in teaching and educational leadership. A native of Miami, Florida, and fluent in Spanish, Mrs. Cruz has served as a literacy coach, English and ESL teacher, and administrator across school districts in Florida and Massachusetts. She holds a bachelor's degree in English Education and a master's in Reading Education from Florida International University, as well as a CAGS from Nova Southeastern University.

Since relocating to Salem in 2021, Mrs. Cruz has been deeply involved in the local community and schools, most recently as a literacy coach at Collins Middle School. Passionate about equity in education and the power of representation, she is committed to supporting Bentley’s Dual Language program and celebrating the cultural and linguistic diversity of its students. Mrs. Cruz also serves on several district and city committees, including the Racial Equity Advisory Team and the City of Salem Scholarship and Education Committee. She lives in Salem with her husband, Camilo, and their son.