December 2025 - Dr. Angela Valdez

Colorado Association of Latino/a Administrators and Superintendents LA LUZ DE LIDERAZGO - A MEMBERSHIP SPOTLIGHT December 2025

Welcome to the CO ALAS Membership Spotlight. Each month we introduce you to one of our many CO-ALAS members. Let’s see what they are doing and what’s on their mind!

This month we are featuring Dr. Angela Valdez, Assistant Superintendent of Support Services in Harrison School District 2 in Southeast Colorado Springs. Dr. Valdez shares their professional career and current bio below. You can read the diverse experiences that have led to their various leadership roles. One of our shining stars!

🌟 Career Highlights & Education

Dr. Angela L. Valdez is a distinguished educational leader and advocate for culturally responsive teaching and community-oriented school environments. She currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Support Services in Harrison School District 2 in Southeast Colorado Springs. Before this role, Dr. Valdez served as the Principal of Mountain Vista Community School K-8 in Harrison School District 2.   Dr. Valdez has also served as an assistant principal and teacher in D2 as well as a bilingual teacher in Denver Public Schools.

Dr. Valdez holds a Doctorate of Education from Walden University, where she researched the impact of bilingual education models on writing achievement for English Language Learners. She also holds a principal’s license from the University of Denver, master’s degree in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education from the University of Colorado Boulder and a bachelor’s degree in Spanish with an emphasis in Bilingual Education and Elementary Education from the University of Northern Colorado. Last spring, she completed her administrator license at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.

Dr. Valdez has demonstrated exceptional leadership, resulting in significant increases in student proficiency and growth across all content areas. Her initiatives have led to higher student achievement and retention rates, as well as a drastic reduction in suspension rates through the implementation of restorative justice programs. Dr. Valdez's accomplishments were recognized in 2023 when she was named Colorado Elementary Principal of the Year by the Colorado Association of School Executives (CASE) as well as Mountain Vista Community School being named a 2025 Trailblazer School to Watch.

Her contributions extend beyond the school district to the state level, where she has been involved in various educational panels, committees, and as a conference presenter. She is also an active member of the community.

Her dedication to education and her community has made her a respected leader and advocate for student success and equity in education.

✨ What is exciting about my job?

Although I am an introvert at heart, I thrive from building relationships with students, parents, colleagues, and community members. In my current role, I can impact change and innovation on a large scale while staying grounded in my why. The thing I find most exciting and empowering about my job is that I grow as a leader each and every day whether that be through working with principals, recruiting new teachers into the district in innovative ways, or working with our transportation team to refine practices. I take comfort in being uncomfortable and being stretched as a leader while learning new things.

🧠 Words from a consejero/a

A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor. Embrace the challenges, be comfortable with the uncomfortable, and take everything as an opportunity.

💡 Advice you would give a new school leader?

1. You do not have to fix everything the first year.

2. You do not need to be the knower of everything! Build your team based on the areas that you lack.

3. Own your narrative

☀️ If you catch me outside the office, you'll find...

... me spending time with my husband Troy, 4 kids, and 2 shih-tzus! I love to read, crochet blankets, and love to play BINGO!

🤝 How does CO-ALAS add value?

CO-ALAS has completely changed my leadership trajectory. I participated in cohort 5 of the 4 Corners Leadership Academy last school year. After meeting other Latino/a leaders throughout the 4 corner states, it opened my eyes to leadership opportunities that I never saw myself in. CO-ALAS has provided me with a tribe of other Latino educational leaders to be a think partner with, challenge my thinking, and learn from.