Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion and Director of Curriculum

Christina Rios

Christina Rios has been a member of the Laurence family since 2009. Before stepping into her current role as Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion and Director of Curriculum, she taught kindergarten, first grade, and second grade at Laurence, and led the faculty Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee.

Mrs. Rios’s interest in teaching began while earning her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Education Studies from UCSD. Through her experiences in elementary schools throughout the San Diego area, she developed a passion for creating inclusive learning environments and celebrating the unique identity of every student. Her commitment to inclusion and belonging deepened through UCLA's social justice-focused Teacher Education Program, where she earned a Master’s in Education and Teaching Credential student teaching, while student teaching in first, third, and fifth grade classrooms. Her educational philosophy is reflected in the words of Dr. Gholdy E. Muhammad, author of Cultivating Genius: “It is our job as educators to not just teach skills, but also to teach students to know, validate, and celebrate who they are.”

In her current role, Mrs. Rios works to foster a strong sense of belonging throughout the Laurence community. She created a faculty mentoring program to help new faculty and staff feel welcomed, connected, and supported, and she leads the Global Education and Sister School programs. One of the many rewarding aspects of her work is seeing students feel a sense of pride when their identities and traditions are celebrated in the classroom and through the cultural assemblies. 

When Mrs. Rios is not at Laurence, she enjoys staying active through hiking, running, and cycling. Her favorite way to spend her free time is with her husband, Jason, and their daughters, Naia (‘33) and Malia.