Tom Jenkins SATs Chair Real Estate Advisors | Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce
Dr. Gabriella Duran Blakey, Superintendent of Albuquerque Public Schools, addressed participants of the Leadership Albuquerque program on April 22. The event, titled "K-12 and Early Childhood Education Day," offered in-depth insights into the state of New Mexico's education system.
Leadership Albuquerque Chair David Campbell emphasized the significance of education, stating it is crucial for combating poverty and supporting economic growth. “We’re going to make sure we understand how children in New Mexico are performing academically, how the state and school districts are measuring and communicating this information, and how they plan to raise student achievement,” Campbell remarked.
Guest speakers featured at the event included Dr. Gabriella Durán Blakey, along with Danielle Gonzales and Courtney Jackson, President and Vice President of the APS Board of Education, respectively. New Mexico Public Education Secretary Mariana Padilla also spoke, highlighting recent initiatives from the governor's administration.
Campbell noted the focus of the discussions, highlighting APS leaders' efforts to drive continuous improvement in student learning through new goals and strategic plans. Padilla provided insights into the initiatives undertaken by the governor’s administration to enhance educational outcomes.
The day also covered the role of charter schools in public education. “One of the key beliefs of the Chamber with respect to public education is that we believe every child is capable of learning and improving every year and that every child regardless of their background should have access to a quality school and education,” Campbell said.
Durán Blakey, who has been with APS for over 20 years, was praised for her commitment to academic improvement and her openness to embracing charter schools. “During her short time as superintendent, overseeing more than 140 schools and 68,000 students, the Chamber has been impressed with how focused she is on academic improvement, her eagerness to embrace high-performing public charter schools as part of the APS family, and her willingness to think strategically – and make difficult decisions," Campbell stated.
Amanda Aragon, Executive Director of NewMexicoKidsCAN, provided a presentation on effective education policies, while Matt Pahl, Executive Director of Public Charter Schools of New Mexico, discussed the functioning and contributions of charter schools.
The event featured a Q&A session with Mariana Padilla led by Campbell, covering topics such as the governor's education agenda and the role of the Yazzie/Martinez ruling in policy-making.
Participants also explored the initiatives of the APS Board of Education under the guidance of Danielle Gonzales and Courtney Jackson. The focus was on setting academic goals and implementing a strategic plan for improving student performance.
Concluding the event, Kim Finke, Cibola High School principal, and Rachael Sewards, founder and head of Solare Collegiate, highlighted the evolving leadership roles within schools. Jeremy Oswald, Leadership Albuquerque Vice Chair, shared insights on effective school leadership, stating, “The theory of change is this: a good leader sets a positive culture and high expectations.”
The event ended with discussions on leadership development within schools, preparation for principal roles, and handling discipline challenges. Graduation for Leadership Albuquerque participants is scheduled for May 19.
