Carolina Rodriguez is a 2025-2026 Teach Plus California Policy Fellow and 7th grade science teacher at McKinley Institute of Technology in Redwood City, California. She is focused on accessible and restorative practices that prioritize a quality education. Carolina has been program lead in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) departments, instructional coach for grades 5-12 in all subject areas, and teacher union leader, as well as has designed and led professional development. She was named California League of Middle Schools’ Downtown College Prep Campus Teacher of the Year and Region 5 Nominee (2018), was a founding teacher and co-president for the South Bay Educators United California Teachers Association Chapter (2020-2025), and received the K-12 Promotion of STEM Education Award from San Jose State University (2015). Carolina earned a BA in liberal arts, with studio art major and minor in mechanical engineering, from Smith College and MEd from Santa Clara University.
