Albuquerque Public Schools
Meet the Superintendent
Dr. Gabriella Durán Blakey is the superintendent of New Mexico's largest school district.
Gabriella Durán Blakey at Tony Hillerman Middle School
As superintendent of Albuquerque Public Schools, Dr. Gabriella Durán Blakey is leading one of the largest and most diverse school districts in the country, serving more than 60,000 students across urban, suburban, and rural communities.
Under her leadership, APS is focused on improving student outcomes through the Board of Education's Goals and Guardrails and the APS Rising Strategic Plan, with an emphasis on early literacy, middle school math, college and career readiness, and the skills, habits, and mindsets students need for life success.
Superintendent Durán Blakey oversees more than 140 schools and 11,000 employees while working closely with students, families, educators, staff, community partners, elected officials, and unions to strengthen schools and expand opportunities for students.
She is committed to building systems that are student-centered, responsive and future-focused, while ensuring every APS graduate leaves prepared for success in college, career, and life.
About Superintendent Durán Blakey
Albuquerque Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Gabriella Durán Blakey brings more than 25 years of public education experience to the leadership of New Mexico's largest school district. Since becoming superintendent, she has guided APS through a period of renewed focus on academic performance, equity, and systemwide coherence anchored in four clear goals: stronger reading and math outcomes, meaningful preparation for college and careers, and the development of the skills, habits, and mindsets students need to succeed beyond graduation.
During her tenure, APS has sharpened instructional priorities, broadened access to high-quality learning, strengthened transparent progress monitoring, and deepened its investment in safe, supportive schools. Dr. Blakey leads with the conviction that all students can achieve at high levels when expectations are clear and opportunities are aligned.
Dr. Blakey began her career as an English Language Learner teacher and has served in a wide range of public education roles, including teacher, principal, associate superintendent, and chief operations officer. She also served as assistant superintendent for Santa Fe Public Schools and founded a charter school focused on project-based learning for historically underserved students. She grew up in the school district she now leads, giving her a firsthand understanding of the power – and responsibility – of public education.
Raised in a multilingual household and as one of the few Hispanic women leading a large urban school district, Dr. Blakey recognizes the significance of her role and the visibility that comes with it. She approaches that responsibility with intention, viewing leadership as both a commitment to excellence and an obligation to ensure opportunity is accessible to every student.