Join host Pablo Muñoz for a wonderful conversation with his featured guest — Ana Samaniego.

Ana is a passionate educator with 30 years of experience, currently in her ninth year as superintendent of the Douglas Unified School District in Arizona. She has also served as a teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent. Ana has dedicated her career to advancing student success and strengthening opportunities for rural school communities.

1:03 - Introduction

2:22 - My Leadership Story

19:34 - Rural Border School District

32:18 - Educational Equity Principal

44:09 - Developing Leaders

51:14 - Student Success Stories

1:04:53 - Educate with Heart

1:15:52 - Guiding Principles

1:23:27 - Coda

Ana Samaniego is committed to improving student achievement, supporting educators, and building meaningful partnerships with families and the community. She began her career as a classroom teacher in Douglas, where she spent 14 years inspiring students and fostering academic success. Ana later transitioned into leadership, serving as an instructional coach, assistant principal, principal, and Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources.

Ana is widely recognized as a collaborative educational leader and serves in several leadership roles across Arizona. She is the past president of the Cochise Association of School Administrators (CASA), president of the Arizona Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (AZALAS), and serves on the Arizona School Administrators (ASA) and Arizona Rural Schools Association (ARSA) Boards of Directors. Ana attended the Harvard Leadership Academy, where she studied the Data Wise Improvement Process to strengthen instructional practices and student outcomes.

Ana is dedicated to creating safe, inclusive learning environments where all students can thrive and where educators are empowered to make a lasting difference. Her leadership philosophy is centered on the core principle of "Educating with Heart." Ana believes every child deserves an advocate who believes in their potential and that educators have the power to transform lives through compassion, high expectations, and unwavering commitment.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ana-samaniego-107802197

Email: asamaniego@douglasschools.org

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Latino Leaders podcast is a production of Muñoz & Company, an educational and leadership consulting organization.

Pablo is a leadership coach, teacher, trainer, and speaker who is also the author of The Leader’s Algorithm.

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