Ana Cortez-Hernandez

I definitely attribute my success to my mom, my husband and my children, and an endless number of mentors that I've encountered through my high school journey, my college journey, and the different schools that I've worked for. These are mentors that believed in me, that saw the potential, that connected me, that showed me the way, that encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone. Even now, as I serve in this role, I get to work with a mentor just to debrief and brainstorm, and it's always nice to have someone that you can count on and go to. My middle sister, who I call my Irish twin because we're only 10 months apart, has been incredibly important. When we were in college, she reminded me of our why and why it was important to not give up. She's been my best friend as well as my husband. I've been very fortunate to have a lot of individuals who have believed in me and who've held me accountable.

I would say the best career advice I ever received came from the director of the Upward Bound program when I was in high school. He would constantly remind us to choose a career path that's going to fill your heart and soul. Choose something that you're passionate about, that you know you're gonna wake up with a desire to go to work. Since I began my career, there is not a day where I wake up dreading going to work. I wake up joyful and happy to tackle the day, because I absolutely love what I do. Even though it comes with challenges at times, I see those challenges as opportunities to be better.

I would say don't fake it till you make it. There is no need to fake anything. Ask for help and support and clarity and guidance as much as possible. Find a person that you trust, that you admire, and reach out and ask questions. A big part of it is don't just stay within a community. Even if you stay at a school, reach out to other people who are in similar roles in other schools to see what can you offer, but also who can you learn from, and what can you bring back to the community that you're serving. Essentially, get a mentor.

One of the biggest challenges and opportunities in my field right now is the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, which has the potential to transform teaching and learning but also requires thoughtful implementation to truly support educators and students. In addition, teacher burnout continues to be a major concern, and I am focused on finding ways to better support educators who are on the front lines of student learning and well-being. At the same time, the current political climate presents ongoing challenges, particularly in how education policy and funding decisions impact students, families, and schools on a daily basis, making it essential to advocate for stability and meaningful support within the education system.

The values most important to me are integrity, being hospitable and welcoming, being true to oneself, and spirituality. Spirituality is a big one for not just me, but for my family and the work that I do. It's not tied to a religious congregation, but it's more about how you find your own spiritual journey.