On Friday, October 11th, Vilma C. Nájera, principal at Watkins Mill High School since the 2023 school year, was honored at the Hispanic Leadership Awards Gala for proudly earning the award of Hispanic Educator of the Year by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Montgomery County (HCCMC).
When asked what motivated her dedication on a school and county-wide level, Nájera replied, “trying to make the school and the world [a better place] than when I [found] it.”
Nájera is a dedicated and passionate advocate for equity in education. Upon further involvement in the county as the County Coordinator for the Minority Scholars Program (MSP) and co-founder of PODER Educators in MCPS, she has taken the initiative as a leader to empower students and support Latino educators. In 2016, the Montgomery Executive Council recognized Vilma as Educator of the Year.
As a Latina graduate of MCPS, Nájera began her career as a Spanish teacher, where she founded the Organization of Latin American Students (OLAS) and coordinated the Annual MCPS Latin Dance competition. Before her current role, Nájera served as an assistant principal and principal intern at Quince Orchard High School and acted as principal of Brown Station Elementary School.
Throughout the years, she has shown her genuine dedication to ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed by honoring her cultural heritage and advocating for justice in education every step of the way.
Furthermore, in collaboration with Michael Williams, she helped establish an MSP Chapter to foster student leadership and advocacy at Clarksburg High School in 2009. This chapter expanded county-wide to 25 high schools, over half of the county’s middle schools, and nearly 10 elementary schools in Montgomery County.
Currently, Nájera works closely with young students at Watkins Mill within the Principal’s Leadership Council. They meet bi-weekly to discuss changes within the school. The Council has allowed students to get to know Nájera and has inspired young advocates within the school.
Vivian Urbina, a current member of the Principal’s Leadership Council, said, “She wants her community at our school to be welcoming, and that inspires me.”
