Hillary Rios

I attribute my success to a willingness to do the work, learn continuously, and stay grounded in why I entered education in the first place. I have been fortunate to work alongside strong mentors and dedicated colleagues, but I have also learned to trust my judgment and lead with both clarity and empathy. Focusing on building systems that actually support people, rather than adding layers of complexity, has allowed me to make a meaningful impact.

Early in my career, I was told that leadership is not about having all the answers, but about asking the right questions and bringing people together to solve problems. That advice shaped how I lead. It reminded me that listening matters, relationships matter, and progress happens when people feel supported and respected.

Find your voice early and use it with confidence. You do not need to have every answer to be effective, and you do not need to model yourself after anyone else to be successful. Lead with integrity, stay curious, and do not underestimate the power of consistency and follow through. Most importantly, protect your passion for students by setting healthy boundaries and asking for support when you need it.

One of the biggest challenges facing education right now is balancing increasing demands with limited resources while still meeting the diverse needs of students and families. At the same time, this moment presents an opportunity to rethink systems, prioritize student well being, and design supports that are more responsive and humane. By focusing on collaboration, clarity, and sustainability, educators can create environments where both students and staff can thrive.

I believe that strong systems should make hard work feel possible for teachers. I try to lead with clarity and empathy, with high expectations so that my teachers feel supported and students benefit. I think that leadership work is emotional and includes emotional labor, and women specifically have to balance decisiveness with empathy. I try to model that, so I try to be steady and grounded in my leadership. I also have learned that you don't have to be the loudest voice to be influential. You can be a quiet, steadfast leader and still really influence positive change. The systems I build should really work for people and not against them - teachers shouldn't feel alone doing hard work.