JANUARY 2026 | DR. CHRISTINA KISHIMOTO
In this edition of Under the Flamboyán, we feature a powerful conversation with Dr. Maria Lucero, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning for the Yakima School District, whose leadership journey is deeply rooted in community and identity. A Yakima Valley native and graduate of Wapato High School, Dr. Lucero brings decades of experience from her early role as a paraeducator, to her entry into leadership roles as a bilingual teacher, principal, and today as an executive district leader with oversight for students’ learning pathways. In this interview, she reflects candidly on the influence of educators who believed in her as a young mother, and the importance of storytelling, representation, and human-centered systems in education. Her insights remind us that authentic leadership has the power to transform both systems and lives.
Enjoy the conversation with Dr. Kishimoto and Dr. Lucero below.
The following transcript has been edited for length and clarity.
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.
