A look at Mr. Ram's background

New Corrales K-8, aka Corrales Elementary (CES), principal Alvaro Ramazzini is a graduate of several institutions of higher learning and has applied the knowledge he garnered to his career in education.

He received an associate degree in general studies from Cochise College in 1998, followed by another associate in liberal arts from Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) in 2011. He subsequently earned his Bachelor of Education from New Mexico Highlands University in 2013 and concluded his post-secondary work, at least thus far, with a master’s in educational leadership, also from Highlands, in December 2016.

In his curriculum vitae, he describes himself:

“A highly motivated and detail-oriented professional seeking to leverage my skills in education administration, curriculum development and project management to effectively support the Director of Secondary Curriculum. Eager to contribute to the creation and implementation of innovative, student-centered educational programs, while providing administrative assistance, coordinating projects, and ensuring smooth operations within the curriculum department. Committed to fostering a collaborative and efficient environment that enhances the learning experience for secondary school students.”

He summarizes his skills:

“As a bilingual (Spanish-speaking) individual who is organized, self-motivated and has the ability to identify the needs of his students, staff and implement effective solutions to accommodate those needs. Also, demonstrates use of technology in classrooms to promote online learning, communication skills that are valuable in collaboration with the community, parents and staff members to create a friendly and rigorous learning environment which will enhance the student’s learning potential. Modeling these essential skills to my students, families and staff reinforces positive behavior that will produce confidence and allow all involved to achieve their learning goals.”

Toward that end, he has pledged to take such measures as doing away with combined grade classes and filling positions that have been vacant for some time. He also personally signs awards that are given to faculty, staff or students at his schools.

He says he has lived by the motto, “I want to be uncommon,” and he taught that to his own children, as well as the students and faculty at his schools. He encourages them to “stand out.”

While he’s just getting started at CES, he brings a wealth of accomplishment from his previous assignments. He came to Corrales from Alamosa Elementary in the South Valley, where he was principal beginning in 2021. He says while he was there, he built “such a good team.”

“In my five years at Alamosa, I built a team of highly motivated teachers to create a culture of learning that targets all students. I created and implemented STEM and Makerspace rooms through the use of Family Index Funds, so that all students will have the opportunities to use valuable resources to help them be successful and engage critical thinking skills.

“I advocated for the implementation of the TOPs model for Alamosa Elementary. In doing so, the community and staff unanimously voted to establish the TOPs program for the students and families of Alamosa for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school year. We began the transformation that has brought the Community School vision to Alamosa elementary.”

When he speaks of team work and community, it reflects his daily work style. Soon after his arrival at CES, the students celebrated National Principal Appreciation Day with posters they made in their classes. He said he was surprised, “because I don’t even think of that. It’s all about my team, not just me.”

During his career, Mr. Ram, as he is known by the students, was a fourth-grade teacher at Hubert Humphrey Elementary, and first- and third-grade teacher at EG Ross Elementary, a first- and second-grade intervention teacher for reading and math, and an instructional coach at EG Ross Elementary.

Mr. Ram outlines his many responsibilities as a principal, but he concludes with one that seems nearest and dearest to his heart: “To ensure that every student has a voice to promote growth and success.”