Atrisco Heritage principal heading for Va.
Atrisco Heritage Academy Principal Karen Sanchez-Griego is moving from one APS to another as she accepts a new high ranking administrative position at Arlington Public Schools in Arlington, Va.
“Isn’t that ironic?” SanchezGriego, 49, said , as she ends a distinguished 22-year-career at Albuquerque Public Schools, and prepares to begin anew in late July as assistant superintendent of instruction at the Arlington district.
A strong and varied background in working with students and families from impoverished communities was a major impetus behind Arlington’s vigorous pursuit of Sanchez-Griego.
“Dr. Sanchez-Griego’s passion for education and for making a challenging instructional program available for all students has been evident throughout her career,” Arlington Superintendent Pat Murphy said in a statement.
Murphy cites SanchezGriego’s passion for closing the achievement gap, her knowledge of curriculum and her focus on parental involvement in improving student learning. He adds that she has the professionalism, experience and dedication to work with the district’s stakeholders.
“I think they recognized that I had a lot to offer, that I had different and important skills and that I was ready to help
bring success, equity and change to a district,” she said.
Eddie Soto, APS’ associate superintendent, wished Sanchez-Griego well on behalf of the district.
“During her tenure at Atrisco Heritage Academy, Mrs. Sanchez-Griego was dedicated to providing students with the best educational opportunities, and she embraced the AHA community,” Soto said in a statement last week. “We wish her well in her professional endeavors.”
Soto said the district was in the early stages of looking for a new principal.
Sanchez-Griego was honored in 2007 with the Governor’s Award as one of 20 Outstanding New Mexico Women. She also was one of 15 Hispanic educators chosen from around the country to participate in a roundtable discussion with former Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings on the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act.
From 2001-07, she was the executive director of Engaging Latino Communities for Education (ENLACE) at the University of New Mexico, overseeing the development of educational reform programs and policies.
Sanchez-Griego said she achieved a lifelong dream of becoming a high school principal in 2007 when she was named head of the new Atrisco Heritage Academy, which opened the next year. She assumed she would retire in the Albuquerque Public Schools.
“But I think sometimes God has a hand in rousing you to your next and newest experience,” Sanchez-Griego said, adding that she was impressed by Arlington’s vigorous pursuit of her.
“They’ve been amazing during a very lengthy process in which they have really just wrapped their arms around me,” she said. “I know this is going to be a very large change, but I am very honored and very excited about the opportunity.”
Sanchez-Griego said she planned in her new job to work toward helping to bring “academic excellence for all kids,” helping them to move on “larger and better things.”
Saying she was disheartened to be leaving Atrisco Heritage, SanchezGriego added that she’s confident students will continue to take the school “on a path of excellence.”
Sanchez-Griego said her last day with Albuquerque Public Schools will be July 27.