Aris Ayala Cruz

Aris is the principal of Lincoln Middle School in Portland, Maine, where they have led a full transformation centered on equity and student success. Their career in education began in Chicago, where they grew up, and took them to Boston for their first leadership role before bringing their vision to Portland. Today, Aris is working to ensure every student, especially those historically underserved, has access to the high-quality education they deserve. Beyond students, they are also elevating the next generation of leaders through coaching and mentoring, building a culture of resilience and excellence across their community.