Uncrowned Community Builders

Rita E. Fraiser is a Buffalo native, and has dedicated her life to developing and expanding the minds of young children for the past 26 years. Believing throughout her career as both teacher and administrator that "Together we can make a difference," Rita has focused on giving her all to the field of education both inside and outside of the classroom.

After receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education Biology in 1975, Rita began her career within the educational community teaching elementary science at the Diocesan Educational Campus School from 1975-1984. Realizing that she could not continue to expand the minds of our youth without first expanding her own, Rita returned to school and received her Master's Degree of Science in Secondary Education from Canisius College in 1982. Upon completion of her Master's Degree, Rita, faced with the new responsibility of raising a family of her own, decided to leave the classroom and take a brief sabbatical to focus her energies on developing the minds of her own children. Rita raised three successful children, Shniece - Regional Manager, Charles Jr. - Naval Officer, and Levar - Engineer.

With the strong desire to bring her motto to fruition, Rita returned to the classroom in 1989 as both a teacher and student. She joined the Buffalo Board of Education as a science teacher, but she knew that she could give more if she moved out of the classroom and into administration. Therefore, she decided to attend Canisius College to obtain a Masters of Science in Educational Administration/ Supervisor Certification. Within the Buffalo Board of Education, first as a teacher and as an administrator over the past five years, Rita has held various positions such as, Liberty Partnership Coordinator, Magnet School Specialist and Math Coordinator; Acting Assistant Principal, Futures Academy and Assistant Principal, Emerson High School. Rita has moved quickly through the ranks becoming well-known as a shining star who could master any task or obstacle placed within her path.

Rita became Principal of Stanton Academy (P.S. #31) and is presently Principal of BUILD Academy where she lives her motto on a daily basis, "Together we can make a difference."

Rita has many interests such as golfing, swimming, and traveling. She has visited many places such as the Far East, Europe, and Japan.

Rita is an active member of the Association for Supervision/ Curriculum Development, Middle Level Association, Phi Delta Kappa, and Metropolitan Buffalo Alliance of Black School Educators. She has been an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. for twenty-six years, holding several officer positions in Xi Epsilon Omega Chapter. Rita was recently elected as the group's president.