Chelsea Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Almi G. Abeyta has received the inaugural Premio América Unida, a recognition of leadership that builds community across differences. She accepted the award September 25 at the América Unida gathering at the Harvard Graduate School of Education; the district announced the honor September 29.

For Chelsea, the recognition connects a local school leader’s work with a wider conversation about belonging in public education. The award recognizes education, advocacy for Chelsea students and mentorship of future system leaders, according to the district’s announcement.

Chelsea’s students at the center

Abeyta’s leadership emphasizes knowing students through their names, strengths and individual stories. The district describes that approach as a way to ensure students and families are recognized and included as partners in their schools. Those are the values the award celebrates: dignity, belonging, shared care and a meaningful voice for communities.

The honor came at a gathering organized by students and alumni in celebration of Latinx Heritage Month. Its focus was what the experiences of Latin America and its diasporas can teach educators and community leaders about building belonging. Educators, students and community leaders came together for that discussion at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

A career rooted in public education

Abeyta has led Chelsea Public Schools since January 2020, according to her official superintendent biography. Raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, she began her education career as a kindergarten teacher and later led Boston’s Donald McKay K–8 School.

Her work also includes assistant-superintendent roles in Boston, Santa Fe and Somerville. The district biography lists two master’s degrees and a doctorate from Harvard Graduate School of Education, making this a return to an institution that has been part of her own professional development.

Recognition shared with the next generation

The September award also highlights mentorship. Abeyta has worked with candidates in Harvard’s Doctor of Education Leadership program. At the gathering, one of her mentees, Carolina Armstrong, presented the honor. That detail links the award’s purpose to a person who has experienced that support directly.

Abeyta also participated in a panel with Harvard’s Maritza Hernandez, state education official Shirley Vargas and Massachusetts Secretary of Education Stephen Zrike. Margarita Ruiz, director of Harvard’s education-leadership residency program, moderated. The district shared photographs of Abeyta with school colleagues and with her mother and daughter, bringing both professional and family connections into the celebration.

Abeyta’s previous honors include the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents’ inaugural Latina Administrator of the Year award in 2015 and Latinos for Education’s inaugural La Lucha Award in 2021. In 2025, she was recognized as a Massachusetts Commonwealth Heroine and an ALX100 honoree. Her district biography also lists participation in superintendent and education-leadership fellowships in 2024.