Interim Superintendent Renetta Mondragon has signed a contract to fill the position on a temporary basis. District Board President Mark Flores said the board hopes to have a new superintendent hired by June.

According to Mondragon, who has moved through the ranks of the district for the past 22 years and served associate superintendent, the opportunity to become interim superintendent and potentially be hired into the role has been a reminder of the district’s “grow your own” initiative. educational experience, no matter what challenges are handed down to us.

Her sights weren’t always  set on education. Mondragon was originally set to study history, but her older sister convinced her to switch gears. Mondragon received her teaching license and graduated from the New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas with two bachelor's degrees, one in history and another in elementary education. She began her career as a kindergarten teacher at Ranchos Elementary, where she taught for about seven years.

Next, she taught first grade for roughly the same amount of time, became an instructional coach, then became a reading interventionist — an educator who helps students struggling with literacy. She then became an assistant principal, then principal, and finally the district associate superintendent, a position she held until recently, when Trujillo stepped away from the superintendent role.

“Mrs. Mondragon has been a longtime educator within Taos schools,” Flores said. “She started as a kindergarten teacher, she was an elementary teacher and she worked her way into administration. She knows what’s going on, she’s very in tune with the students and the community. We’re very lucky to actually have somebody in her capacity right now to be leading the schools.”

Mondragon’s relationship with the classroom and the district's students has changed throughout her various roles. As principal, she remained in the classroom and dealt with students on a daily basis both as an administrator and an educator. Mondragon has been away from the classroom for five years now, but she said she still has plenty of interactions with students and parents as an administrator, overseeing instruction and curriculum district-wide.

“I’ve enjoyed my job this entire time,” Mondragon said, noting that she thought her sister was right to steer her toward education. “My family has always believed in giving back to your community, and that education is going to pull you out of poverty and situations that may not be the best for you. Being a part of this is very fulfilling for myself.”

If the board hires another person to fill the role, Flores is aiming for June so the new hire could benefit from onboarding with Mondragon as a mentor while she's still acting as interim super. Such timing, Flores noted, would also let a new hire get settled during the summer break, rather than in the middle of the school year.

Mondragon is currently acting within the full capacity of superintendent, but if someone else is hired, Mondragon will return to the capacity of associate superintendent.

“I’ve enjoyed my job this entire time,” Mondragon said, noting that she thought her sister was right to steer her toward education. “My family has always believed in giving back to your community, and that education is going to pull you out of poverty and situations that may not be the best for you. Being a part of this is very fulfilling for myself.”

If the board hires another person to fill the role, Flores is aiming for June so the new hire could benefit from onboarding with Mondragon as a mentor while she's still acting as interim super. Such timing, Flores noted, would also let a new hire get settled during the summer break, rather than in the middle of the school year.

Mondragon is currently acting within the full capacity of superintendent, but if someone else is hired, Mondragon will return to the capacity of associate superintendent.

Article by Taos News By Liam Easley

Jan 10, 2024 Updated Jan 11, 2024