Her Story
About Carrie
Dr. Carrie Torres is an executive leader serving as deputy school superintendent, where she runs a small school district and oversees all instructional programs and leadership. With 29 years of experience in the field of leadership and education, her area of emphasis is school leadership. She holds a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, and a doctorate, which she earned in 2024. Dr. Torres is a member of the Association of California School Administrators, the California Association of Latino School Administrators, and the American Association of School Administrators. She attributes her success to perseverance through life's challenges and advises that female leaders must be the architect of their own journey, preparing strategically and chasing their plans relentlessly. In her work, she remains student-centered, ensuring students have access to opportunities as a first-generation college student herself. Outside of her professional role, Dr. Torres participates in charity work through the National Charity League, providing food and school materials to foster youth alongside her daughter.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Carrie
01What do you attribute your success to?
Perseverance. I never give up through all life's challenges. I'm a widow who was raising a very young daughter, and I did my research on women in leadership. You have to keep moving through that, no matter what the challenges are, and you're gonna come out on top.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Female leaders need to be the architect of their own journey. I have taken that advice and built a beautiful career of progressive leadership and influence.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be strategic and be the owner of your own journey. Don't rely on others to tap you on the shoulder. They really have to ensure that they are preparing themselves and that they have a plan for themselves, and chase after it relentlessly.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges in education is engaging students and creating value for kids to be present with their peers at school. For women leaders, there's not many of us, and we need to keep fighting for those spaces. But it's also an opportunity with so many opportunities to be a leader at school site, district, or state level, and women need to find themselves in those spaces and seize the day.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In professional life, ensuring students have access to what they need to have opportunity. I'm a first-generation college student, so that's really important to me. I'm student-centered, student-focused. In personal life, family and the connections built with my children, partner, and family. Staying close with family is really important.
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