KatieAnn Juanico is the Assistant Secretary for Indian Education at the New Mexico Department of Public Instruction. She was announced as the new assistant secretary by Secretary Arsenio Romero on May 9, and has since begun work to let New Mexico's Native communities know that the department exists to support their efforts and help advance student performance. She received cultural recognition for her efforts in balancing the Western and traditional cultures that Native students must navigate.
She was surprised to receive a call from New Mexico Secretary of Education Arsenio Romeo. Juanico said she thought she might have done something wrong. Because it was unexpected for her to receive a call from such a high-ranking official. But it soon turned into a moment of joy and celebration when she found out that she had been nominated and elected as Assistant Secretary of Education for India.
Juanico served as director of education for the Pueblo Tribe of San Felipe before becoming Assistant Secretary of Indian Education for the State of New Mexico. In this role, she worked closely with tribal leaders, educators, and community members to enhance educational opportunities and support for Native American students within the tribe. Juanico's experience as a tribal education director has provided her with valuable insight into the unique challenges and needs of her Native students and prepared her for her current position with the New Mexico Public Education Department.
“I think it’s always important to have Native Americans in these roles,” Juanico said. “I pray that every Native American child will have the confidence to take on these roles.”
As Assistant Secretary for Indian Education, Juanico was determined to ensure that Native American students had representation within the public education system. She believes that providing culturally relevant education, supporting tribal sovereignty, and addressing gaps in educational outcomes are key priorities.
One of her important initiatives is to promote direct communication with tribal leaders and educators, including consultations and field visits to tribal communities. In just seven months, Juanico and New Mexico Secretary of Education Romero visited the state's 21 pueblos, tribes and nations, listening and learning about the unique needs and priorities of each community.
“We are here to listen and learn,” Juanico said. “Our role is not to dictate the agenda. “We always remind ourselves that we exist to support tribal sovereignty and recognize tribal leaders on their turf.”
Juanico also hosts monthly meetings with tribal education directors to provide a platform for dialogue, sharing updates, and addressing questions and concerns. Through these efforts, she is seeking to streamline administrative processes, reduce teacher reporting burdens, and improve more equitable allocation of resources to Native American communities.
two worlds
Born and raised in the Pueblo of Acoma, Juanico's story begins in the heart of rural New Mexico. She is a proud product of Head Start, where her educational journey began. But her path was different from the beginning. She, like many Native American students, returned from Albuquerque, where she was born, to the Acoma Reservation. It was in this upbringing that she learned her essential life values.
Juanico recalled his childhood at Saint Joseph Mission School, where many of Acoma's Native American students were educated. The small school in rural San Fidel, New Mexico was one of her family's few options.
“My parents were very interested in my education, to the point where they chose where I had to pay tuition. “That was not common for many Native American families at the time,” she said. Her parents' dedication to her education, despite having to pay her tuition, left an indelible mark on her. It was a clear message that her education was very important to them.
Beyond the confines of the classroom, Juanico's real-world learning took place within the close-knit community of his home and reserve. She grew up in a place known as “dashka”, which translates to “lake area” in Acoma. Here she began her adventures with her younger brother: walking home from the bus stop, playing in a nearby ditch, and playing basketball with a basketball hoop planted firmly in the reserve. This experience was more than just play. It was part of her upbringing and instilled values of discipline, responsibility and cultural significance.
Her education was taken to the next level when Juanico's father became involved in cattle ranching. Growing up, every Saturday was devoted to livestock work. Waking up early to fetch water and take care of the cows became a daily routine. Butchery has become part of a family tradition that marks a journey of bonding, discipline and hard work.
In addition to these experiences, Juanico cherishes the exposure to cultural events his parents provided him. These rituals, deeply rooted in tribal heritage, reinforced the importance of Juanico's cultural values. “My culture has taught me to be respectful, to pray, to ask for help when I need it, and to always take care of myself and others,” she said.
Juanico's path to becoming India's Assistant Secretary of Education began with his own experiences as a first-generation college student. With encouragement from her high school senior advisor, Vicki Gonzalez, she applied for the Bill Gates Scholarship, which would ultimately cover her tuition throughout her undergraduate and graduate studies.
“Vicki Gonzalez was more than an advisor. She was my guiding light. Her unwavering belief in me and her encouragement to pursue the Bill Gates Scholarship changed the trajectory of my life. She showed me the power of mentorship and the impact one person can have on another’s journey,” Juanico said.
With deep gratitude for his upbringing, Juanico decided to make a difference and began his educational journey. She transferred to public schools for middle school and high school, and in 2005 she graduated from Grants High School as class president. She chose her path in education, inspired by her mother's career as a teacher and her family legacy of educators. Her journey led her to Lobo at the University of New Mexico, where she completed her bachelor's degree in elementary education with an endorsement in language arts.
But Juanico's thirst for knowledge did not end there. She holds a Master's degree in Educational Psychology and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. In the same field. Her dedication to her education and her ability to navigate her “two worlds” of cultural upbringing and Westernized education set her apart as a role model for her Native American students.
Juanico explained that the concept of “two worlds” refers to the idea that Native American students are often navigating two different cultural and educational environments. On the one hand, they have a rich cultural heritage that includes traditions, language and values rooted in their tribal communities. On the other hand, they have to adapt to a westernized education system and society where different expectations and norms prevail. “That’s what the two worlds theory is,” Juanico said. We live in two worlds. We have grown culturally, but we have also assimilated into a Westernized culture. I learned to navigate that duality well, but I also knew that I had grown up filled with culture, language, prayer, and respect, and I knew how to process and balance that in a Western public education classroom.” She said this is not an easy transition and that many Native Americans struggle to overcome cultural differences.
During his academic journey, Juanico became acutely aware of the underrepresentation of Native American students in his classes, both in high school and college. She recognized the need for her Native American students to see themselves reflected in her own educational experiences and the importance of acknowledging her own unique learning preferences and challenges.
As a teacher herself, she uses her background to advocate for Native American students and provide insight into their educational needs. Juanico taught at UNM for 11 semesters, and her upbringing on the reservation shaped her teaching style. She said her main focus is creating a positive classroom climate, supporting her teachers' professional development, and providing fun and relevant learning for her students.
source of inspiration
Looking ahead to 2024, Juanico said he will continue to work in consultation with tribal communities. She plans to focus on efficiency, “meaningful data collection,” and targeted technical support to ensure resources are utilized effectively to benefit Native American students.
Juanico expressed gratitude for the sources of inspiration in her life, saying, “I am deeply grateful to my family for the wisdom and cultural values they instilled in me, especially my mother, who shaped me into a strong Pueblo woman. Their guidance fuels my passion for Native American education. I would also like to thank Vicki Gonzalez for believing in me and encouraging my educational journey. My sister Mary Helen is a true role model for balancing her motherhood and career aspirations. And I am truly honored to work with Secretary Romero, who steadfastly supports my commitment to improving Native American education.”
Juanico said he has a source of inspiration for every situation in his life. She honors each of these inspirations, from people to the natural world around her, and is always grateful for the opportunities in her life, she said.
Juanico wrote a message for the state's Native American students. Warning that she might cry when she delivers this message, she hastily tells her students: “Education is very important. We learn in the classroom, but we also learn at home. Education in all its forms will guide your life choices. Hold yourself accountable with high expectations, be confident, try new experiences, take healthy risks, and reach out to others who truly care about you. Take all the advice and discipline your community has taught you and use it to guide you and keep you on the right path. Our tribal leaders always tell us and remind us that everything we are doing today and all the energy we are putting into our lives now is for the benefit of those who will come after us, even our unborn children. Let’s do our part.”
Katie Ann Juanico's journey from a small reservation in New Mexico to the forefront of Indian education is not only a testament to her dedication, but also a beacon of hope for Native American students working to overcome educational gaps and achieve their dreams.