About Me

My name is Marlene Aviles-Solivan and I am an inner-city school teacher who has been in the public school system for over 15 years. I have taught all subjects to grades 3-5 and have been an instructional coach servicing teachers from K-5.     

I am a proud Latina educator that strives to show students of color that they, too, can be successful.   I have a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and a Master's degree in Curriculum & Instruction.      

After experiencing the inequalities in the educational system, I decided to embark on my Ph.D. journey to make a change. I will be starting the Teacher Education and Teacher Development Program at Montclair State University-Summer 2020. 

I grew up in a loud and proud Puerto Rican home: Salsa filled Saturday mornings, arroz y habichuelas con maduros, a sea of cousins and the occasional "I don't care if that's what your friend's parents let them do...yo no soy de aqui" speech.   I am the first in my family to receive a bachelor's and master's degree and will be the first to earn a Ph.D.      

I am married to a wonderful and supportive husband and have an AMAZING support system of family and friends. They are my biggest cheerleaders. I  love being the best "Titi" in the world to some of the coolest kids east of the Mississippi, and  although I do not have human children, I am a rescue dog mom to a min pin mix, "Jasper" and an English Staffy, "Neni."