Program Director Spotlight

Candice Rafael

Candice Rafael started with Spectrum Center in 2007 supporting students and teachers as a classroom assistant. Inspired by the school culture of servant leadership and student achievement, Candice pursued a graduate degree in Education, emphasizing in Behavior Analysis and Special Education. Candice was promoted into different leadership roles, eventually leading her to become the School Director at Peninsula Campus in 2014. Having been part of the original team to have opened the Peninsula Campus, Candice holds the school in a very special place in her heart. She believes that the growth and development of the school is a direct result of the hard work and commitment of its students, staff members, and community supporters. Candice is an advocate for staff succession and development, and has encouraged and mentored a number of Spectrum Center employees in advancing in their own careers. Candice’s philosophy in running a school program, is that a successful leader must first learn how to serve. Without service to others and clarity of the actual needs of the students and the school community, we cannot fully understand how to lead them in the right direction. “Good leaders must first become good servants”- Robert Greenleaf. Candice was born and raised in the Bay Area and is a mother to two beautiful and active young children.