Vilma C. Najera, principal at Watkins Mill High School since the 2023-2024 school year, has been named the Hispanic Educator of the Year by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Montgomery County (HCCMC). She was honored at the Hispanic Leadership Awards Gala on Friday, October 11th.
Per the HCCMC, “Najera is the principal at Watkins Mill High School and a passionate advocate for equity in education. As a County Coordinator for the Minority Scholars Program (MSP) and co-founder of PODER Educators in MCPS, she is dedicated to empowering students and supporting Latino educators. A proud graduate of MCPS and daughter of Salvadoran and Guatemalan parents, Vilma 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.
In collaboration with Michael Williams, she established an MSP chapter at Clarksburg High School in 2009, which has since expanded to all 25 high schools, 25 middle schools, and nearly 10 elementary schools in Montgomery County, fostering student leadership and advocacy. Recognized as Educator of the Year by the Montgomery County Executive Council in 2016, she has presented at national Conferences and pariciated in panels promoting cultural change.
Before her current role, Vilma served as an assistant principal and principal intern at Quince Orchard High School and acted as principal of Brown Station Elementary School. Driven by a commitment to equity and leadership through love, she is dedicated to ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed while honoring her cultural heritage and advocating for justice in education.”
