Amalia Delamora

I attribute my success to those core values - lots and lots of hard work, remaining faithful, and putting my family first. Every time I had a really big decision, I put my family first, and sometimes it didn't look like the right thing on the outside, but I knew that my family was the most important thing to me, and that whatever I did that was gonna be good for them was going to be good for me and for my future. And so, that's never steered me the wrong way. I've also had really good mentors who always encourage me and tell me never to give up, and to just try again if it doesn't work the first time. They're older, like older than my parents, and they've been around for so long. They're so good at grounding me and bringing me back to real life when I'm thinking of the here and now.

The best career advice I've received from my mentors is to never give up and to always try again. They always encourage me and tell me that if it doesn't work the first time, don't give up so easily. Typically that seems to work for me - when you just kind of brush it off and you're able to try again. Another piece of advice that was really crucial for me came when I wanted to become a principal and wasn't receiving the support I felt like I needed. It seemed like a dead end, like I wasn't going anywhere, but I knew I was capable. I had a quick 15-minute conversation with someone, and they said something that really led me - don't think that a door shut in front of you is the only thing. Look for an open window, or maybe take a curve, go through another door. Keep looking for the next other thing. Don't think that the one thing you thought was the only thing. I've lived that way since then, and it has produced more fruit for me than anything I could have ever imagined.

I would use the same advice that had been given to me - don't give up, and just try again. One thing that was really crucial for me was when I wanted to become a principal and wasn't receiving the support I felt like I needed. It seemed like a dead end, like I wasn't going anywhere, but I knew I was capable. Someone told me something that changed everything: don't think that a door shut in front of you is the only thing. Look for an open window, or maybe take a curve, go through another door. Keep looking for the next other thing. Don't think that the one thing you thought was the only thing. I've lived that way since then, and it has produced more fruit for me than anything I could have ever imagined. I can tell you, in recent years, I have had so many doors shut in my face. But I just think there's no way that this is the only thing, there's no way that this is the only opportunity - there has to be something else. So I allow myself a little bit of time for a little pity party, because we're human, but then it's time to pick myself back up and go find the open window or the next door. I'm notorious for reaching out to people I don't know and just saying, 'Hi, can you give me a couple minutes?' And sometimes it leads to big things, and sometimes it doesn't, but I never want to stop doing that.

I believe education is currently undergoing significant change, which presents both challenges and opportunities. I am focused on continuously strengthening my expertise so I can be prepared to contribute meaningfully, support improvement in the field, and help guide positive change as opportunities arise. Throughout my career, one of my biggest challenges has been balancing a demanding professional path with being a working mother, often navigating competing expectations between work and family while managing time and financial constraints. I have also faced challenges related to my non-traditional career trajectory and leadership style, as some environments favor more linear paths. However, I view this as an opportunity to bring a unique perspective and to align with organizations that value diverse experiences and approaches.

Faith is very important to me, as I am a believer and strive to approach both life and work with a strong sense of faith and purpose. Family is also central in my life, and I prioritize it in my decisions, even when those choices may not always appear conventional from the outside. Integrity and hard work are core values that guide how I show up professionally and personally, and I consistently aim to act with honesty, responsibility, and perseverance. Ultimately, I make decisions with my family in mind, trusting that honoring those priorities leads to long-term stability and alignment in both my personal and professional life.