Principals of Change: New Leaders Take Charge in Highland Cluster
Learn more about new executive leaders taking charge at six schools in Albuquerque’s Highland Cluster.
by Samantha Anne Carrillo
In early July, Albuquerque Public Schools announced that the district has named 24 new principals for the 2024-2025 school year. When the fall semester begins, students, administrators and teachers at six schools in Albuquerque’s Highland Cluster—five of which are community schools that build partnerships with community resources and serve as a location for utilizing those partnerships—will be working with new executive leadership.
Emerson
Emerson Elementary School, a community school that has served local students since 1952, welcomes Angel Roman as its new school principal. Roman, formerly the interim principal at Hawthorne Elementary, has worked as both an administrator and a teacher in the district since 2002 and is “excited to continue the transformational work at Emerson.”
Emerson Elementary School
620 Georgia St. SE
(505) 255-9091
emerson.aps.edu
Hawthorne
At Hawthorne Elementary School, a community school established in 1954, the new principal is Melissa Chavers. Previously interim principal at Governor Bent Elementary, Chavers has been with the district since 2001 and has over 15 years of education experience. As an educator who is dedicated to bilingual education, Chavers looks forward to growing the school’s Dual Language Program.
Hawthorne Elementary School
420 General Somervell St. NE
(505) 299-4424
hawthorne.aps.edu
Highland
Highland High School, a community school built in 1949, says goodbye to longtime principal Marco Harris, who is moving on to his new APS role as Assistant Superintendent of High Schools. Highland High is seeking input from community members, including students and parents, to inform its selection of a new principal. Make your voice heard by filling out the HHS Principal Selection Community Survey at surveymonkey.com/r/7C7HD6S.
Highland High School
4700 Coal Ave. SE
(505) 265-3711
highland.aps.edu
Sandia Base
The incoming principal at Sandia Base Elementary School, which opened in 1949, is Mary Salazar. Moving on from her work as principal at Lew Wallace Elementary, Salazar has worked as a teacher and administrator for APS since 2001 and reports being “ready to take on her new challenge.”
Sandia Base Elementary School
21001 KAFB East
(505) 268-4356
sandiabase.aps.edu
Whittier
At Whittier Elementary School, a community school established in 1950, the new head of the executive leadership team is Dr. Robert Sims Jr. While Sims is new to the district, he has over 25 years of experience in education. According to APS, Sims is “pumped up and ready to take on the work alongside his staff, students and community.”
Whittier Elementary School
1110 Quincy St. SE
(505) 255-2008
whittier.aps.edu
Van Buren
Van Buren Middle School, a community school established in 1960, selected Moises Padilla to head the school’s executive leadership team. Padilla, previously a teacher at Taft Middle School, has over 20 years of educational experience and sees education as an agent of change in removing systemic barriers for children and their families. According to APS, Padilla believes “education can be transformed through high expectations, college and career preparation, cultural relevance, and continuous improvement.”