This transcript has been edited for clarity and length.
Under The Flamboyan | October 2025 Edition
Dr. Christina Kishimoto (Host):
Welcome everyone. I’m Dr. Christina Kishimoto, and you’re Under The Flamboyan with us today. I’m thrilled to have a wonderful guest—Doctora Concie Pedroza, Superintendent of Tukwila Public Schools in Washington State.
Dr. Pedroza, it’s such a joy to talk with you. We know each other from different spaces, including the When Women Lead conference this summer where you led a great session on governance. How’s the school year going so far?
Dr. Concie Pedroza:
It’s been a wonderful start. We tripled summer school enrollment compared to past years, offered tutoring and community events, and made sure everything was ready for our scholars in August. By September, operations were running smoothly—my team even said it felt “too smooth”! Our students came back happy and excited, and that energy has carried into the fall.
Dr. Kishimoto:
That’s fantastic, especially given the broader challenges in education today. National policies are shifting so quickly it’s hard to summarize the “big issues.” How has Tukwila prepared for this uncertainty?
Dr. Pedroza:
Last year, as national policy changes loomed, we reviewed all of our district policies with community input. We also built new systems to support families and committed to making the hardest budget cuts farthest from students. Because of that early work, we started this year stronger and more stable. Collaboration with fellow superintendents in the region has also been critical—we lean on one another.
Dr. Kishimoto:
This is also Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from mid-September to mid-October. Sometimes people get confused by the timing, but really, it’s about honoring an incredibly wide and diverse history. We often forget that “Hispanic” and “Latinidad” aren’t a single story—they include the heritage of 21 nations across the globe.
That means the languages, food, music, and traditions span from Spain to Mexico, from the Caribbean islands like Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic, all the way to South America. And here’s something that surprises many people: there’s even a Hispanic nation in Africa. Equatorial Guinea was colonized by Spain until the late 1960s, and Spanish is still one of its official languages. So, when we talk about Hispanic heritage, we’re talking about a culture that exists across Europe, the Americas, the Caribbean, and Africa. It’s such a rich and complex heritage—one that deserves celebration well beyond a single month.
How do you celebrate and connect this broad heritage to your leadership?
Dr. Pedroza:
My parents were migrant workers who marched during Cesar Chavez’s time. They taught me resilience—responding with strategy, peaceful protest, and pride in who we are. Their stories always carried hope, even in hard times.
That spirit grounds me. I share personal stories with staff, and I’ve asked both staff and students to share theirs. We’re publishing these reflections because stories deepen relationships and build community. For me, Hispanic Heritage Month is about celebrating our struggles and our hope—while ensuring our students have every opportunity to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.
Dr. Kishimoto:
I love your line: “We are more than what you think.” That captures the heart of these heritage celebrations. What are you hearing from your students?
Dr. Pedroza:
Our students are vocal. Our advisory board wrote a statement to teachers about cultural responsiveness, representation, and well-being. They even presented it at our staff kickoff! They want educators who see them and understand their identities.
One student once said, “I am excellence.” That really struck me—reminding us that excellence isn’t only about role models out there, but about honoring the brilliance within our students. That’s why we’ve invited them to share their own stories.
Dr. Kishimoto:
As we close, what advice do you have for superintendents and leaders navigating today’s challenges?
Dr. Pedroza:
Three things:
- Don’t do it alone. Build committees with staff, community members, and board members. Lean on colleagues—especially those who share your lived experiences.
- Review policies and procedures. Make sure your values show up in practice, especially during crises. Clarity and consistency are essential.
- Be visible, flexible, and transparent. Crises will come—budget cuts, floods, shifting policies. Stay adaptable and grounded in values.
We learned during COVID that schools can adapt quickly. We must carry those lessons forward.
Dr. Kishimoto:
Thank you, Dr. Pedroza. I deeply appreciate your leadership here in Washington and nationally. And to our audience: a reminder that proposals for When Women Lead 2026 in Vancouver, WA, are now open at voice4equity.com.
Doctora, thank you for this inspiring conversation.
Dr. Pedroza:
Thank you. I’m honored to be here and to share this space.
