OCTOBER 2025 | DR. CHRISTINA KISHIMOTO
Dr. Concie Pedroza is in her third year as Superintendent for the Tukwila School District, a diverse school district in the state of Washington. Prior to Tukwila, Dr. Pedroza served as the Associate Superintendent for Seattle Public Schools. Concie has thirty years of contribution to the field of education in various central office and school leadership positions, and as an ELL and intermediate teacher. As a principal, she led a school that was recognized as a school of distinction for three consecutive years. Dr. Pedroza is active in presenting at regional and national conferences on matters of equity and student centered practices.
Enjoy the conversation with Dr. Kishimoto and Dr. Pedroza below.
The following transcript has been edited for length and clarity.
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.
