AfterClass

Arizona K12 Center at Northern Arizona University is proud to announce Daniela Robles, NBCT, as its new executive director. Robles becomes the third director to lead the Center, a hub for Arizona teachers to find community, professional learning, and inspiration to better their teaching, their leadership, and the broader education system.

Robles has been an Arizona educator for 27 years, serving most recently as the Arizona K12 Center’s assistant director of programs. She began her career in Isaac School District in Phoenix, serving as a classroom teacher, reading interventionist, and academic coach in her time in the district. She has also been a curriculum/instructional coach, teacher retention and professional development coordinator, and director of teaching and learning in Balsz School District in Phoenix and a director of research, evaluation, and assessment in Tempe Elementary School District.

“Daniela has focused her life’s work building the capacity of students in the Arizona public school system,” said Dr. Ramona Mellott, dean of the NAU College of Education. “Her experience in PK-12 education and deep commitment and dedication to elevating Arizona’s education systems will serve her well in bringing together teams and partners, and advance educators’ teaching to better serve the students and future leaders of Arizona.”

Robles has long been passionate about supporting Arizona’s educators and the work of the Arizona K12 Center. She achieved National Board Certification in Literacy: Reading-Language, Arts/Early And Middle Childhood, in 2007. That process was highlighted in the documentary “Mitchell 20,” created by the Arizona K12 Center about Robles and 19 other teachers at Mitchell Elementary School pursuing National Board Certification.

“I look forward to the next chapter of the Arizona K12 Center,” said Robles. “Arizona’s K-12 educational system serves over 1 million students, and we have an awesome responsibility to serve them well. We are committed to serving Arizona teachers and their systems well by addressing teacher retention systemically through pre-service support, induction and mentoring, National Board Certification, and teacher leadership.

Robles follows Dr. Kathy Wiebke as executive director of the Arizona K12 Center. Wiebke served as executive director for more than 17 years until her retirement in January.