Rosa L. Rivera-McCutchen earned her doctorate in Teaching and Learning at NYU. Her dissertation, "Is Small All? A Study of the Intersecting Factors Contributing to the Successes and Challenges of a Small Bronx High School" was based on an ethnographic case study of school that emerged from small school reform efforts in the 1990's. Prior to her doctoral studies, she taught Humanities and History for several years in a Bronx high school, after which she served as the Operations Director of DonorsChoose.org, an education non-profit.  She has worked as educational research consultant and conducted numerous program evaluations. Most recently, she was an adjunct assistant professor at Baruch College, where she taught a series of graduate courses as part of the Scaffolded Apprenticeship Model, an educational leadership and comprehensive school improvement program.  She currently lives in the Bronx with her husband and three children.