skip to main content
Karen Sanchez-Griego
Karen Sanchez-Griego
01:05

Karen Sanchez-Griego

Cuba Independent School District

Cuba, NM USA

"Without teachers, we have nothing else."

Career Roadmap

Karen's work combines: Education, Business, and Teaching / Mentoring

See more careers and stories that connect to your interests.

Take Roadmap Quiz

Day In The Life

Superintendent

I lead educational initiatives and provide professional leadership as a school district superintendent.

My Day to Day

I try to get tasks done before people arrives on campus. I listen in on student pick-ups on my district radio. Sometimes I help schools welcome the kids or attend Catholic Mass with the community. My meetings begin at 9:00 AM. If schools need me, I pivot to support my leaders. I spend time working on grants and funding. I try to attend school dismissal or listen on the radio. My door is open for anyone who needs me. In the evenings, I attend community meetings, take calls, and read emails.

Skills & Education

Advice for getting started

I moved to a different state for a big educational leadership position. It was important work and I loved it, but I felt like it just wasn't the right move for me. I wanted to come home but felt like a failure if I did so. With encouragement from my dad, I decided to go ahead and come home, ultimately finding the opportunity to create the impact I wanted to closer to home.

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

  • Bachelor's Degree

    Political Science and Secondary Education

    College of Santa Fe

  • Graduate Degree

    Educational Leadership

    University of New Mexico

  • Doctorate

    Educational Leadership

    University of New Mexico

Learn more about different paths to this career

Life & Career Milestones

My path in life has been direct

  • 1.

    After facing systemic racism in school, I was driven to pursue law for social justice.

  • 2.

    Discouraged by a counselor, I shifted away from aspiring lawyer and found an unexpected path in education.

  • 3.

    I started teaching English and history, finding my passion in advocating for underrepresented students.

  • 4.

    Wanting to enact more change, I decided to go back to school for educational leadership, ultimately aiming for a principalship.

  • 5.

    As a high school principal, I challenged the status quo and advocated for equitable education for all.

  • 6.

    I moved to Arlington, Virginia, for a leadership role, but returned home to make a deeper impact.

  • 7.

    I continued to devote myself to leading transformative educational initiatives while focusing on culturally responsive practices and systemic change.

  • 8.

    I now serve as the superintendent of Cuba Independent School District in New Mexico.

Defining Moments

How I responded to discouragement

  • THE NOISE

    Messages from Myself:

    I'm a failure for leaving a good opportunity to come home.

  • How I responded:

    I moved to a different state for a big educational leadership position. It was important work and I loved it, but I felt like it just wasn't the right move for me. I wanted to come home but felt like a failure if I did so. With encouragement from my dad, I decided to go ahead and come home, ultimately finding the opportunity to create the impact I wanted to closer to home.

Related Leaders

No related leaders found