Lynn Romero
Las Vegas, N.M. — New Mexico Highlands University education graduate was named superintendent for Maxwell Municipal Schools in northeastern New Mexico.
Romero, a longtime social studies teacher, is a 2012 graduate of the educational leadership graduate program in the Highlands University School of Education. She also earned her B.A. at Highlands, majoring in history with a minor in secondary education.
Romero, 54, has lived in the small rural community of Maxwell since 1989.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to serve as the Maxwell superintendent,” Romero said. “Dr. Chuck Harrison, the former superintendent, is very well respected and I have big shoes to fill. We will be working together during the transition.”
Romero assumes her new position full time July 1.
She completed her M.A. at the Highlands University Raton Center through a federal Land of Enchantment Teacher Quality Partnership grant.
As part of the grant, Romero was given a paid leave of absence from teaching history at Raton Middle School. During the leave, in addition to her graduate studies, Romero worked as an administrative intern at Raton High School. She received on-the-job training as an assistant principal.
“Leadership is really about growing people and I got a good foundation in this going through the educational leadership master’s program at Highlands,” Romero said. “I took reflective leadership and other courses from Dr. Jim Burns, who inspired me as a learner and had a profound effect on how I think about the educational leadership process. My goal is to be an authentic, inclusive leader who builds trust with all the stakeholders in the district — from students to teachers to parents and the community.”
Romero said the Highlands educational leadership curriculum also gave her strong hands-on preparation in areas such as data-informed leadership, action research in education, principles of curriculum, supervision and evaluation, school finance and resource allocation, statistics and more.
Jim Burns joined the School of Education faculty full time in 2004 and has chaired the educational leadership program since 2009.
“Lynn has an inspired vision for education and the possibilities for student learning that will serve her well as the Maxwell superintendent,” Burns said. “She brings a wealth of experience inside and outside education to this position. Lynn is also a person of exceptional character.
“Our educational leadership program by its nature attracts capable and extraordinary educators who are motivated to work even harder than they already do as teachers. Lynn exemplifies the quality of our students,” Burns said.
Romero is certified as and advanced placement social studies teacher. Her education career also includes teaching positions with Foothill High School in Albuquerque and the former New Mexico Boys School in Springer, N.M. New Mexico Children Youth and Families Department Juvenile Justice Services operated both schools. Prior to that, Romero was a social studies and special education teacher in the public schools in Wagon Mound, N.M.
Romero is a leader in professional education organizations, including serving on the board of the New Mexico Council for the Social Studies and as a committee member in the House of Delegates and Resolutions for the National Council for the Social Studies.
Romero has raised four children, aged 19 to 30. She lives on a farm outside of Maxwell.
“I’m a rural student with a demanding schedule. The Highlands Raton Center gave me the flexibility I needed to complete my master’s degree, regardless of my location. The tech people at Highlands were fabulous. Once my oldest daughter, who has special needs, was in the hospital in Las Vegas and the EOS staff connected me to the ITV class I needed,” Romero said.