Dr. Silvy Lafayette to Receive MASA’s Richard Green Scholar Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 18, 2026
Contact:
Deb Henton, Ed.D., deb.henton@mnasa.org
Executive Director
(651) 439-7719
(Medford, MN) – The Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) has named Dr. Silvy Lafayette, Executive Director of Assessment, Research and Evaluation for St. Louis Park Public Schools, recipient of the 2026 Richard Green Scholar Award. Dr. Lafayette will present her paper, “Minnesota’s Immigrant Students: Comprehensive Achievement and Civic Readiness, the READ Act, and Lingering Lessons from the Haitian Community Center (HCC) in Miami, Florida,” at the 2026 MASA Fall Conference, September 28–29.
MASA established the Richard Green Scholars Program in 2006 to honor the scholarly work and professional development of Minnesota school leaders. The program annually recognizes research, writing and presentation of a paper reflecting the practice of excellent school leadership. Scholar candidates apply for the program, and a subcommittee of the MASA Executive Development Committee selects the recipient. MASA is grateful to Cuningham for its ongoing support of the Richard Green Scholars Program.
Dr. Lafayette’s research examines how Minnesota’s Comprehensive Achievement and Civic Readiness framework and the READ Act intersect with the educational experiences of immigrant students. Drawing from her doctoral research on culturally relevant teaching and lessons learned from the Haitian Community Center in Miami, Florida, her work encourages Minnesota education leaders to broaden their understanding of academic achievement beyond standardized testing metrics. The paper highlights the importance of student voice, culturally responsive practices and deeper analysis of racially disaggregated data to better support immigrant communities across the state.
Dr. Lafayette has served St. Louis Park Public Schools since 2019 in her current role overseeing assessment, research and evaluation. Previously, she was assistant principal at Brooklyn Center Secondary (6–12) in Brooklyn Center Community Schools and served as an administrator in the Office of Leadership Development for Saint Paul Public Schools. She also completed administrative internships with Saint Paul Public Schools.
Dr. Lafayette earned a Ph.D. in Education, with a focus in Curriculum and Instruction, from the University of Minnesota. She also holds a master of Education in Elementary Education (Urban Education) from Boston College and a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology from the University of Notre Dame. Dr. Lafayette completed the University of Minnesota’s K–12 principal licensure program and holds Minnesota administrative licensure.
Each year, MASA recognizes members for their contributions to public education. MASA is a professional organization of Minnesota’s school leaders, including superintendents, assistant superintendents, directors of special education and other central office administrators, as well as state department administrators, college and university professors and other educators throughout Minnesota dedicated to educational leadership for students.
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