This transcript has been edited for clarity and length.
Under The Flamboyan | January 2026 Edition
Dr. Kishimoto
Hello everyone, I’m Dr. Christina Kishimoto, and I’m excited to be with you again Under the Flamboyán. Each month we feature an amazing woman leading in education across the United States. Today I’m joined by Doctora Maria Lucero, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning in the Yakima School District, located in the Yakima Valley of Central Washington. Welcome, Maria.
Dr. Lucero
Thank you. I’m happy to be here.
Dr. Kishimoto
I’m especially excited because I just saw you a few weeks ago at the WALAS (Washington Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents) Conference in Washington. You served on a panel of executive leaders and did a wonderful job sharing your story. What was that experience like for you?
Dr. Lucero
It was definitely one of the larger settings I’ve spoken in. I’ve shared parts of my story in other spaces, so I’m becoming more comfortable with it. I’ve learned that when I don’t overthink it and just speak from the heart, things flow more naturally.
Dr. Kishimoto
It may have felt uncomfortable for you, but it was powerful for those of us listening. One thing I love about conferences like WALAS is the opportunity to reconnect and build relationships. Networking starts to feel less transactional and more meaningful. How do you approach networking now, both formally and informally?
Dr. Lucero
Earlier in my career, I would usually skip social gatherings and go back to my room to work. But in recent years, I’ve been much more intentional about showing up and connecting. I’ve realized how much incredible work is happening and how those connections strengthen what we’re doing locally. At WALAS, I attended the Compadres luncheon and reconnected with colleagues from my doctoral program—some I hadn’t seen in years. It was really about being purposeful.
Dr. Kishimoto
That pause—to slow down and connect—is such an important part of leadership growth.
Dr. Lucero
Absolutely. Networking often sparks ideas that wouldn’t surface if you just kept pushing through your day.
Dr. Kishimoto
With over 30 years in education, I’ve learned that confidence in spaces like that takes time. Early in my career, I was extremely shy. People today find that hard to believe. I used to keep my personal and professional selves very separate, which made me seem serious and reserved. How have you navigated that balance as your leadership identity has evolved?
Dr. Lucero
Earlier on, I probably came across as cold. But I now understand that our leadership is deeply shaped by our identities, experiences, and for me, trauma. I had trust issues, and I believed the less people knew about me, the safer I was. That worked for a while—even as a principal—but over time, I realized I needed to heal and be more open. I was honest with my staff about my growth and centered our work on presuming positive intent. It’s been a long journey, but I’m in a much healthier place now.
Being at WALAS helped because there were many people who looked like me. In other spaces, I may be the only Mexicana woman in the room, which requires more intentional engagement. But I remind myself that I’m at the table for a reason—and I carry other voices with me.
Dr. Kishimoto
Do you think culture and gender shape our willingness to be vulnerable, or is it more about personal narrative?
Dr. Lucero
For me, it’s absolutely tied to culture and identity. Sometimes it feels like we’re giving more of ourselves than we receive in certain spaces. But I’ve reached a point where I can’t let that stop me. I need to show up fully as myself.
Dr. Kishimoto
How does that influence what you share with young professionals and students today?
Dr. Lucero
I really believe in time and place. When people come to me with challenges, they often want to jump straight to the issue. I’ve learned it’s important to help them articulate why something landed the way it did. Teaching people how to say, “When you did X, it affected me this way because…” helps build understanding and more productive relationships.
Dr. Kishimoto
That kind of reflection is critical—especially in the complex, sensitive environments we’re working in now. You served as a principal in Yakima. Did you grow up there?
Dr. Lucero
Yes, I grew up in the Yakima Valley and graduated from Wapato High School. While earning my teaching degree at Central Washington University, I worked as a paraeducator before becoming a classroom teacher.
Dr. Kishimoto
When you look at your journey—from that young student to an assistant superintendent in a large, diverse district—what are the through lines you see?
Dr. Lucero
Becoming a very young mother shaped everything. I had my daughter at 14, and educators played a pivotal role in my life—both positively and negatively. Some saw beyond my circumstances and believed in me. I call them my angels. Without them, I don’t know where I’d be.
That experience fuels my work today. I know there are children—little Marias—who need educators willing to see them fully. As Assistant Superintendent, my focus is on supporting leaders so they can have that same life-changing impact. When students see someone who looks like them—who understands their culture—it expands what they believe is possible.
Dr. Kishimoto
Representation truly matters. Sometimes our presence alone reshapes what people believe is possible.
Dr. Lucero
It really does. I’ve also seen the power of story in resolving conflict. I once shared part of my journey with a colleague after a difficult interaction. Instead of escalating the situation formally, that vulnerability opened the door to understanding and repair. Years later, we still work closely together. Story helped us move forward in service of students.
Dr. Kishimoto
That speaks to the tension between policy and humanity. As an assistant superintendent, you’re also a policy leader. Where do you see the need to rehumanize our systems?
Dr. Lucero
Funding and compliance are big areas. With programs serving historically marginalized students under scrutiny, we have to ask whether we’re truly impacting the whole child—or just checking boxes. Are we really engaging families? Are we tailoring support to students’ academic, linguistic, social, and emotional needs? The dollars are there, but intentional, human-centered use of those resources matters most.
Dr. Kishimoto
Thank you for that leadership and for sharing your story so generously. These conversations are deeply meaningful. They remind us of the power and diversity within our communities.
Dr. Lucero
Thank you for the opportunity.
Dr. Kishimoto
And a reminder to our listeners: When Women Lead 2026 will take place June 18–20 in Vancouver, Washington. Visit the Voice4Equity website to register and join women leaders from across the nation. Maria, thank you again. I look forward to seeing you around Washington State.
To learn more about Voice4Equity and the upcoming When Women Lead 2026 Conference, visit voice4equity.com.
