Elizabeth Armijo

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Elizabeth Armijo

Nonpartisan

Prior offices

Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education District 6

Successor: Josefina Dominguez

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Elizabeth Armijo was a member of the Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education in New Mexico, representing District 6. She assumed office in 2017. She left office on December 31, 2021.

Armijo ran for re-election to the Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education to represent District 6 in New Mexico. She won in the general election on February 7, 2017.

Elections

2017

See also: Albuquerque Public Schools elections (2017)

Four of the seven seats on the Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education were up for by-district general election on February 7, 2017. In his bid for re-election to District 3, incumbent Lorenzo Garcia defeated challengers Ali Ennenga, Amy Legant, and Charles White. District 5 incumbent Steven Michael Quezada and District 6 incumbent Don Duran did not file to run for re-election, leaving both seats open for newcomers. Four candidates—Annie Bell-Rahman, Rachel Gonzales, Kayla Marshall, and Candelaria Patterson—ran for the District 5 seat, and Patterson won the race. Six candidates—Abbas Ali Akhil, Elizabeth Armijo, C. Douglas Brown, Melissa Finch, Paula Maes, and Paul Sievert—ran for the District 6 seat, and Armijo won. The race for the District 7 seat featured incumbent David Peercy and challengers Ian Burch, William Steinberg, and Brian Tierney. Peercy won re-election to the board. A total of six candidates withdrew from the race before their names were put on the ballot: R. Jason Vaillancourt in District 3, Than-Lan Sena, Alex Villanueva, and Anne Young in District 5, Stephen Verchinski in District 6, and Sina-Aurelia Pleasant-Soul in District 7.

Results

Albuquerque Public Schools, District 6 General Election, 4-year term, 2017
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Elizabeth Armijo	53.27%	2,622
C. Douglas Brown	18.39%	905
Abbas Ali Akhil	13.04%	642
Paul Sievert	7.58%	373
Paula Maes	5.28%	260
Melissa Finch	2.44%	120
Total Votes		4,922
Source: Bernalillo County Clerk, "APS/CNM School Board Election February 7, 2017," accessed February 22, 2017 and Bernalillo County Clerk, "APS/CNM School Board Election was certified Friday, Feb. 10th, 2017," February 13, 2017

Funding

See also: Campaign finance in the Albuquerque Public Schools election

Armijo reported no contributions or expenditures to the New Mexico Secretary of State in the election.

Endorsements

Armijo was endorsed by the Albuquerque Teachers Federation, the Albuquerque Educational Assistants Association, the Weekly Alibi, and the Progressive Champions PAC.

Campaign themes

2017

Armijo participated in a questionnaire provided by the Albuquerque school district. The district's questions are shown in bolded text, and Armijo's answers follow below.

1. Why do you want to be a board member for Albuquerque Public Schools?

“	I’m passionate about education and the life-long opportunities a good public education can provide - especially for our children. I believe that now, more than ever, citizens should actively participate and engage in ways to make our communities stronger. As a parent of an APS student, I will be a voice for children, families, and educators. I have a sense of fairness and understand that there are complex issues that affect our students. I know that learning in the classroom needs to be innovative, relevant and connect with the diverse learning styles of our children and that it’s incredibly important that educators have a voice in their classrooms. I am interested in how our schools can better engage families and the community.	”
—Elizabeth Armijo (2017)

2. What is your interest in education?

“	I believe we all have a vested interest in public education since education is related to our economy, growth, poverty and crime. We should all work to promote strategies for learning and engagement and be a part of the equation.	”
—Elizabeth Armijo (2017)

3. In what ways will you support the mission and vision of the district?

“	I will serve with integrity to support APS’ mission and vision which values all students and works towards improving student outcomes.	”
—Elizabeth Armijo (2017)

4. How will you work with the superintendent?

“	The job of the an elected school board member is to make sure the superintendent is doing his or her job as the executive of the school district. I will commit time and energy to nurture a positive relationship with the superintendent and the board members.	”
—Elizabeth Armijo (2017)

5. What is your past and current involvement with Albuquerque Public Schools?

“	Over the past 15 years, both my children have attended APS. I have been an involved and active parent and have served on my children’s PTAs. My daughter is a graduate from APS and is in college and my son is currently a sophomore. I participated in my children’s Drama, Softball, Baseball, and other school events.	”
—Elizabeth Armijo (2017)

6. What should be the relationship between the superintendent and Board of Education?

“	The relationship should be positive and have ongoing, frequent communication. The superintendent and board should work on a shared vision that consist of goals and strategies that support the Master Academic Plan.	”
—Elizabeth Armijo (2017)

7. What qualities and skills would you bring to the Board of Education?

“	I have been a long-time community advocate in New Mexico. I have worked extensively within diverse communities, collaborating with populations who experience disparities and injustices. As a mentor, and employer, and an advocate, I have promoted inclusiveness and cultural awareness in all my initiatives. My career and life passion have been rooted in promoting civil rights, racial justice, and women’s empowerment. I am experienced and accomplished in relationship management, including stewardship, cultivation and facilitation work with boards, councils, staff, volunteers and donors. My work style is about understanding the client, exploring creative approaches to their needs, and being resourceful while providing an incredible client-focused experience. I have a BA in Communications & Journalism.	”
—Elizabeth Armijo (2017)

8. What school or community volunteer activities have you participated in related to the community?

“	Previously I have served on ZIA PTA and Noah’s Ark childcare center board. Below are the boards I currently serve on: NAACP Albuquerque Branch, 2nd Vice President Heart Hospital Foundation Board, President	”
—Elizabeth Armijo (2017)

9. How do you plan to work with constituents?

“	As a school board member, I will be active, visible and accessible. It’s important to hear the concerns and ideas from the constituents in the district. I will engage and seek input at various levels.	”
—Elizabeth Armijo (2017)

10. What do you see as opportunities and challenges to the district?

“	APS does an especially good job with it’s community wrap-around schools - I’d like to see APS expand on that model. The biggest challenge to APS has to do with funding - for our schools and our front-line educators. We need to retain our best teachers and make sure they feel valued.	”
—Elizabeth Armijo (2017)

11. What do you think is the best way for the district to accomplish the three academic goals?

a. Early learning - Early learning begins with expecting parents, is nurtured as children develop language and number skills in elementary school, and grows with students as they mature in supportive classrooms becoming adept at using these skills in a variety of contexts.

“	I am a strong proponent of early childhood education and believe the district should actively support state legislative efforts to expand quality early childhood education funding and home visitation programs. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the investments in early learning leads to lifelong success - improved test scores, high school graduation and the increased likelihood of attending college. Early learning is then supported in the classroom with teachers helping to develop the language, reading and number skills. The Academic Master Plan, established Fall 2015, lays out goals, focus areas, and key strategies. I’m in support of the groundwork that was done to establish the Plan and will work to ensure evaluation strategies are in place.	”
—Elizabeth Armijo (2017)

b. College and Career Readiness - Students acquire skills which support formal and informal life-long learning to adapt and remain productive through changing economic and job market landscapes. All students will be prepared for postsecondary opportunities (college and/or career) without the need for remediation.

“	I’m in support of the groundwork that was done to establish the Academic Master Plan and will work to ensure evaluation strategies are in place. The two focus areas I would like to see more emphasis on are: 1. Develop schools, schedules and course offerings to retain students and improve their success rates. 2. Develop partnerships that extend student learning beyond the classroom including internships, apprenticeships and on-the-job training.	”
—Elizabeth Armijo (2017)

c. Developing the Whole Child - APS will ensure each child is safe, engaged, challenged and supported through programs and practices focused on removing social, emotional and physical barriers to learning and increased health literacy.

• Safe and welcoming environment
• Whole Child includes ... physical, mental, emotional, social, intellectual
• Remove barriers to learning
• Discover and develop individual gifts and talents
• Use skills to better the community

“	I believe that all students should be supported and feel safe in school and that programs like the arts and physical education help create a more well-rounded student. Again, I support the groundwork that was done to establish the Academic Master Plan and will work to ensure evaluation strategies are in place. The focus areas I would like to see more emphasis on are: 1. Sustain and expand community schools. 2. Expand support services including nursing, counseling and social work. 3. Provide training to ensure that classroom instruction mitigates commonly exhibited behavior challenges.	”
—Elizabeth Armijo (2017)

12. If elected, how will you work with the current board?

“	As a school board member, I would work with the current members to uphold the vision and goals, and measure the success of the district and superintendent. I would collaborate as a team on all decisions that impact the district.	”
—Elizabeth Armijo (2017)

See also

• Albuquerque Public Schools, New Mexico
• Albuquerque Public Schools elections (2017)

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