Albuquerque Public Schools
APS Names Education Veteran Deputy Superintendent
With a background in innovation, Dr. Randy Mahlerwein will head leadership and learning.
Randy Mahlerwein, whose 28-year career in public education has been highlighted by his work in academic innovation and team building, has been named Deputy Superintendent of Leadership and Learning at Albuquerque Public Schools.
Dr. Mahlerwein has served for the past eight years as assistant superintendent at Mesa Public Schools, the largest school district in Arizona. He led secondary redesign efforts in the large Phoenix suburb, responsible for nearly half of the district’s 56,000 students.
“We’re excited to have someone of Dr. Mahlerwein’s experience, ability and enthusiasm join APS,” said Superintendent Gabriella Blakey. “He has a track record of thinking and executing outside the box, and that will help us move student outcomes forward in Albuquerque.”
Mahlerwein, 53, succeeds Dr. Antonio Gonzales, who has been named Deputy Superintendent of Operations.
Brimming with passion and curiosity, able to talk about men’s fashion and Cincinnati Bengals football in the same conversation, Mahlerwein said he loves working with a variety of people and communities, noting trust is the key component in relationships.
“One of my core values is, everything’s earned … I’ve got to earn this title every day,” he said. “Deputy superintendent: it’s a big title. I’ve got to earn it.”
Mahlerwein, a onetime junior high math teacher, led the implementation of college and career academies in Mesa and expanded work-based learning opportunities with some of the area’s largest employers. He also worked with Arizona State University on a grant to reimagine staffing and instruction.
His background will prove valuable at APS, which is redesigning the way it delivers education at both the middle and high school levels. Six APS middle schools this year are pioneering the New Education Workforce Initiative in collaboration with Arizona State’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, and the Academies of Albuquerque concept is about to debut at Cibola, Manzano and Highland high schools, with more to follow.
Both the middle and high school concepts are based on team approaches, both for students and teachers, rather than the one-teacher-on-an-island model that has held sway for many decades in American education.
Mahlerwein (pronounced Mal-er-wine) said the new way is critical to success in today’s world.
“Almost all great innovative ideas, all great businesses, all great discoveries have been done with a team,” he noted. “When we’ve got kids working in isolation, single desks, just staring, it’s just outdated.”
Mahlerwein grew up in Hamilton, Ohio, and holds a doctorate in educational leadership and two master’s degrees from Northern Arizona University. He earned his bachelor’s degree in education at Miami (Ohio) University.