Her Story
About Alondra
I began my career as a front office secretary in a non-education setting. After having my daughter, I went back to school because I wanted to know more about education. I worked with the homeless population of a large school district, then became a teacher at a charter school where I also served as a coach and eventually middle school principal. Now I am the founding principal at ASU Prep West Valley through a partnership with AZ Leads, a non-profit bringing high-quality schools to Arizona. I completed the Uncommon Schools Principal Fellowship to prepare for this role.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Alondra
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to serving our communities and making something right that has been wrong for so long in the state of Arizona because our kids deserve it.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Feedback is a gift. There's always room to grow. We're never fully developed, and accepting feedback is a gift to yourself.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Immerse yourself as much as you can in different parts of the educational field. Network. Find mentors that will contribute to your development, and get feedback. Always get feedback, because feedback is a gift.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The challenge in Arizona is that the profession hasn't been taken professionally serious, which has taken away the level of professionalism that teachers and educators deserve. The funding is horrendous. It has all contributed to the lack of candidates in our field because they don't feel like they're being valued.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Representation is really important. Accountability. High expectations and having a growth mindset.
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