Episode 9 - From Paraeducator to Superintendent: Leading a School District in the Mountains

In this candid and uplifting conversation, host Athena Cordero sits down with Manny Marquez, Superintendent of Bear Valley Unified School District, to explore what servant leadership looks like in a close-knit mountain community. From his start as a paraeducator to 25 years of growing alongside the district he loves, Manny shares how sincerity, accessibility, and emotional intelligence shape every decision he makes. He pulls back the curtain on a superintendent’s day-to-day—being on campuses, taking parent calls on the spot, and navigating “surprise” responsibilities like facilities, contracts, and construction. Manny also recounts the district’s coordinated response during wildfires—daily cross-department briefings, rapid family outreach (especially for EL families), and turning school nutrition into a community lifeline. Looking forward, he highlights Bear Valley’s pride points and priorities: a long-awaited stadium, expanding CTE and arts, and ambitious dual-enrollment cohorts helping students earn real college credit early. Woven through it all are stories of alumni returning to serve, the district motto—Educate, Inspire, Prepare—and why “inspire” is the word that matters most.🔑 Highlights & TakeawaysFrom Paraeducator to Superintendent: Manny’s 25-year journey in Bear Valley—and why he’d still “teach in a heartbeat.”Leadership Philosophy: Be sincere, be honest, be yourself. People (and kids) can spot a performance.Small-District Reality: A superintendent who’s hands-on, highly visible, and reachable—even nights and weekends.Emotional Intelligence Matters: Reading the room, listening first, and keeping people at the center of every decision.A Day in the Life: Greeting every staff member, taking real-time calls, solving problems as they arise, and staying present on school sites.The “Unplanned” Parts of the Job: Facilities, construction, contracts, and other non-instructional curveballs.Crisis as Community Work: During wildfires, daily leadership “war room” meetings with transportation, M&O, nutrition, principals, and unions to keep everyone aligned.Serving Families Quickly: EL parent liaison outreach uncovered immediate needs; child nutrition mobilized to fill meal gaps when school closed.People First: “Students first” means people first—seeing the teacher–student partnership and the human context behind every classroom.Educate, Inspire, Prepare: Why inspire fuels everything—motivation precedes achievement.Growing Our Own: Pride in alumni returning as educators and counselors; hiring “from within” strengthens culture.College Starts Here: Dual-enrollment cohorts (some freshmen with 9–18 units) widen access for a rural community and build momentum toward AA/transfer.Balanced Ambition: Push opportunity while protecting the joy of high school—clubs, arts, athletics, and belonging.Advice to Aspiring Admins: Love the work, be a servant leader, and measure success by how well others thrive.Fuel & Family: A 4 a.m. routine, close bonds with staff, and time with his grandson keep Manny grounded.What Worked for Him as a Kid: Adults who saw potential he couldn’t see yet—and told him so.Thanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram | www.cahelp.org | [email protected]