Natalie Ake

School Superintendent for Region 3

Natalie Diaz Ake is currently the Elementary School Superintendent for Region 3 in the Boston Public Schools. She has been an educator in Boston for the past 23 years and started the first 10 years of her career in the classroom as an elementary and middle school special education English Language Arts teacher in Boston. She has experience teaching in both district and charter school settings. For the past 3 years, Natalie has supported a network of schools through leadership coaching, professional development, and coordination of central office support. Natalie is passionate about her work in this role, as it allows her to leverage her experience as a teacher and leader in BPS to support the development of equitable and excellent educational experiences for all students throughout our city.

Prior to joining BPS in this role, Natalie was a Leadership Effectiveness Director at the Lynch Leadership Academy where she coached sitting and aspiring school leaders, planned and facilitated equity-based professional development, and collaborated with district, charter, and parochial districts to support leadership development strategies. Prior to LLA, Natalie was a principal and Assistant Director for Special Education in the Boston Public Schools. During her tenure as principal, Natalie was committed to expanding high-quality inclusive opportunities for all students and their families. She led her community through the transformation to become a fully inclusive school in partnership with teachers, families, and the district. As a principal, Natalie significantly increased student achievement outcomes for English Language Learners and students with disabilities, developed a positive school culture by engaging teacher leadership, and strengthened rigorous STEM and Arts instruction schoolwide. Natalie has also served as an instructor at Simmons College and taught graduate level courses.

Natalie received her Bachelor’s degree from Boston University, her Master’s degree in Special Education from Simmons College, and is currently working on her doctorate in Educational Leadership at Boston College.

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