Leadership in Motion: Three Highland Cluster Schools Get New Principals
Learn more about new executive leaders taking charge at three schools in Albuquerque’s Highland Cluster.
by Samantha Anne Carrillo
Last year, executive leadership changed at six schools within Albuquerque Public Schools’ (APS) Highland Cluster. For the 2025-2026 school year, leadership changes coming to Highland Cluster schools are halved, with just three schools welcoming new principals.
Whittier
Located in Albuquerque’s International District, Whittier Elementary School is a community school that originally opened in 1950. Whittier is home to the Albuquerque Reads program, a collaborative partnership between APS and the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, and the Genius Hour, a daily block of time wherein students participate in classes and activities focused on art, basketball, dance, drama, drumming, leadership, world cultures, and yoga.
Whittier Elementary School’s incoming principal will be Angela Rodriguez, who currently serves as assistant principal for Highland High School. Rodriguez has worked for APS for 28 years in roles ranging from assistant principal and principal to Director of Title III Programs. Whittier’s 2024-2025 Principal Dr. Robert Sims Jr. is departing to take on the role of assistant principal at Bel-Air Elementary. Sims joined the district last year, bringing 25 years of educational experience with him.
Whittier Elementary School
1110 Quincy St SE
(505) 255-2008
whittier.aps.edu
Emerson
Established in 1952 in the heart of the International District, Emerson Elementary School’s stated mission is providing a safe, positive learning environment that engages and inspires learners of all backgrounds and cultures by promoting global citizenship, problem solving, and social and emotional learning. Emerson’s vision is “Growing Empowered Learners Together,” and the school hosts Learning Together Childcare Center (LTCC), a before- and after-school program that offers academic support alongside access to art, music, recreation, science, service learning, and social-emotional learning.
Emerson Elementary School’s 2025-2026 principal will be Missy Cordero, currently assistant principal at Hawthorne Elementary. Current Emerson principal Angel Roman is transitioning to La Mesa Elementary, where he’ll serve as the school’s new assistant principal. Roman has worked with APS for 23 years, holding positions ranging from special education cross-categorical teacher to instructional manager, assistant principal, and principal.
Emerson Elementary School
620 Georgia St SE
(505) 255-9091
emerson.aps.edu
La Mesa
First opened in the 1940s and rebuilt in 1981, La Mesa Elementary School serves a culturally and linguistically diverse student body. At this bilingual community school, non-English speaking students and parents are the norm rather than the exception. In association with the City of Albuquerque, La Mesa Elementary offers early childhood (infant through kindergarten) programs that require parental involvement and administers after-school programs as well as classes for adult learners.
Joseph Henderson, who is presently the assistant principal at Mountain View Elementary, will be the 2025-2026 principal for La Mesa Elementary School. Current La Mesa Principal Aura Acabal, who has served in that role for seven years, will be heading over to Mountain View Elementary, where she will also be taking on the role of principal. To stay apprised of APS announcements, bookmark APS’ Core News Club at www.aps.edu/news.