Paula Papponi, retired NM school Superintendent, is the Republican candidate for State House of Representatives, District 60, in Rio Rancho.

Paula has been an educator in New Mexico for 28 years, and has lived in Rio Rancho for 13 years. Currently, Paula is the Associate Director for Professional Development and School Improvement Services for the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI - AdvancED). 

“I look forward to hearing your concerns, your ideas, your hopes and dreams for the future of our city. I will address them with the utmost integrity and in the most ethical manner. I believe in honest, ethical government. This is not merely a political slogan, but who I am and how I live my life. All politics begin at the local level, where a focus on education, well-planned economic growth and development, support for large and small business, and low taxes must prevail. That’s why I am in this race. This campaign is about you and about what we can do together,” Papponi said. “I will fight for high quality healthcare that is accessible and affordable for every New Mexican, especially for our children and our senior citizens.” Paula Papponi received her Masters Degree from New Mexico State University and earned her Ed.D at the University of New Mexico. Dr. Papponi has served as the Superintendent for Carrizozo Municipal Schools, and for the Jemez Valley Public School district where she established a student and teacher Foreign Exchange Program with China, Italy, Germany, Australia, and Spain.  She was the principal of Ruidoso Middle School, where along with the language arts teachers was a recipient of The State of New Mexico Heritage Preservation Award for establishing an innovative program in history, culture, and archeology. Paula was Assistant Principal of Los Alamitos Middle School in Grants, as well as a middle and high school teacher in Grants, NM.

“Improving education is a lifelong passion of mine. We must close the achievement gap for all New Mexico students. I look forward to writing and passing legislation in support of teachers, and legislation that will better equip New Mexico children with the knowledge they need to lead prosperous, ethical lives. The Future of New Mexico depends on the quality of our children’s education,” Paula said.

Paula is married to Gabriel Papponi. They have a wonderful family of three children, their spouses, and five grandchildren.

Papponi has achieved many successes in her career. Her long list of accomplishments includes being chosen to present her research on secondary education at Oxford University, Oxford, England, as well as at Peking University, Beijing, China, and Washington, D. C., for the U. S. Dept. of Education. She is a Fulbright Memorial Fund Scholar, selected from a national pool of over 2,700 applicants to earn this honor.  Her name appears in Who’s Who of American Women, and Who’s Who Among Top Executives. 

Dr. Papponi has served as an Executive Board Member for the Compact for Learning and Citizenship, a national organization under the U. S. Education Commission of the States, and was a presenter at the Celebrating Educational Opportunities for Hispanic Students in San Diego, California. Paula received the Cooperative Leadership Award from the National School Development Council, and for her work in establishing a student and teacher foreign exchange program in China was featured in New Mexico Woman’s Magazine. Also, she was featured in the national publication: Laboratory for Student Success n Field Notes, The Mid-Atlantic Regional Educational Laboratory at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA.

By invitation, Paula participated in a Multicultural Curriculum Panel Discussion at UNM.

She has served as president of the NM Northern Network for Rural Education, and the NM Research and Study Council where she developed and presented the first conference on Native American Student Success.

Papponi said that she wants to provide safe, secure neighborhoods for families, children, and senior citizens, as well as work to strengthen the ethical fabric of our state government. In her career she has a proven ability to work successfully with political leaders, budgets, and securing monies for large projects.

“My life and career have prepared me for public service,” Papponi said. In this election, I see the opportunity for a future of wonderful and endless opportunities. Politics is the art of the possible! My priority as your candidate for New Mexico State Representative House District 60 is to work on legislation that will better the lives of New Mexico families. I assure you that I will work hard to serve you. I want to provide as many outlets for communication between myself and the people as possible. I invite you to call me at 896-0531, or visit my Web site at www.paulapapponi.com.