New APS Superintendent welcomes students for first day of classes

On the first day of classes at Jefferson Middle School, parents lined up in their cars to drop off their excited students. Waiting there to greet them for the new school year was the new Albuquerque Public Schools superintendent, Gabriella Blakey.

“As a former middle school principal, I enjoy seeing sixth graders entering this new world of middle school,” Blakey said. “It’s a critical transition, and I want them to feel supported.”

Standing by the drop-off line, she welcomed kids with a warm smile, encouraging words and a hug, even stopping to chat with some parents as they stopped their cars.

Blakey visited several classrooms, greeting both new and experienced teachers. She made a point to visit the bilingual classes, a particular highlight at Jefferson Middle School.

Blakey’s presence highlights a new initiative in which members of the APS leadership team visit schools to support and assist.

“In APS, we’re a family and a team. We have the responsibility of 70,000 students, and we need to do this work together. Our leadership team is visiting schools to welcome families and see if any assistance is needed to ensure a smooth start to the school year,” Blakey said.

She also wants to focus on continuing to get students back on track from the pandemic shutdowns.

“We want to ensure that our students are not only catching up but also thriving. This means focusing on foundational skills in reading and math, but also on preparing them for college and careers and ensuring they have the social-emotional skills needed to succeed in life,” she said.

In her new role at the district, she’ll also need to address a new concern: artificial intelligence.

“We are working with our staff to teach students how to use AI in a responsible way. Much like when the internet first became prevalent, AI can enhance learning if used correctly. We want students to understand and use these tools responsibly as they prepare for the future,” Blakey said.

“In a lot of ways, AI can be a tool that will be here forever,” she said. “We can use it to help students know how they can navigate it to enhance their learning.”

Blakey’s

visit concluded with a message of encouragement for the upcoming school year.

“Parents should know that we care a lot about their students, and we want them to feel a sense of belonging in school,” she said. “But I also want parents to know that we’re all in this together. So if they face any roadblocks along the way that they reach out to us.”