As the superintendent/principal of Twin Rivers Charter School since 2016, Villalobos has led her team to create a lasting impact on the school community. Serving grades TK-8 in Sutter County, Twin Rivers Charter School prioritizes the development of a strong foundation in learning that will help students succeed in high school and college and career. Their work has earned such honors as California Distinguished School in 2023, PBIS Platinum School, California Green Ribbon School in 2022, California Pivotal Practice in 2021, and California Middle Schools to Watch in 2019 (with a redesignation in 2022).

This recognition only validates the achievements that are making a difference every day. These include a focus on learning acceleration with an intervention team that has trained paraprofessionals to work on frequency and dosing of instruction; expansion of the EL program with a higher reclassification rate; a schoolwide professional learning community program that prioritizes collaboration within grade-level pods, allowing for consistent cross-curriculum growth; and improved CAASPP scores with the ongoing goal of increasing student achievement and closing the achievement gap.

“Dr. Villalobos’s leadership skills, decision-making skills [and] empathy skills along with her team approach have proven highly effective and has directly attributed to the educational success and development of the whole child at TRCS,” wrote Mike Paustian, Twin Rivers Charter School Board President.

What’s your favorite book or quote on leadership? My favorite recent read is “100 Day Leaders” (Reeves & Eaker). Synopsis: there’s always time to effect change and our students need change cycles that don’t take years. This message spoke to the work TRCS did during and following COVID. Our students don’t have five to seven years to be successful, they need us to be proactive now, which has required us to change how we provide intervention and challenge our teaching practices to accelerate learning. Our students are counting on us.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? My dad gave me the best advice I’ve ever received: If you work hard, you’ll never have to worry about job security. I love this because it has helped me be courageous at times and take risks in my career to continue to make a difference in education.

What’s your best strategy for work-life balance? This is a bit tongue in cheek because I realize it’s pretty rare, but the best work-life balance I ever had was when I became the principal/superintendent of my own children’s elementary (TK-8) school. In 2016 I was offered the job at TRCS, before I said yes, I asked my then sixth grade son and fourth grade daughter what they thought. Unequivocally they said “Yes!” It was amazing to be at every school event with them — athletics, awards assemblies, plays, concerts, celebrations and field trips; I’d absolutely recommend it if you are ever given the opportunity. When you spend your days doing what you love, and knowing it’s not only benefiting your own children but future generations, it’s pretty special.

What are some life hacks that you would recommend for a new administrator? Find a great mentor, someone who has your interest at heart. This person will be someone you will come to rely on your entire career. Read books that interest you, and take time off!

What would people be surprised to learn about you? I was a mediocre student in high school and I disliked writing so much I only applied to state schools that didn’t require an essay. This became very ironic given the fact that my doctorate, “Training Beginning Teachers How to Engage Families,” is 178 pages.

What made you want to become a school administrator? My mom was an elementary school teacher and she always spoke about her first elementary principal having a great influence. They remained in touch her entire life. I thought if every school administrator could do that for one teacher, imagine the influence on the educational system.

When I became the BTSA [Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment] director over 20 years ago, I led that program with the belief that children don’t have a say where or who educates them, yet laws require them to be in school. We have to be their advocates. The beginning teachers and their mentors would hear me say, “If a teacher isn’t good enough for my own child, they aren’t good enough for someone else’s.” I’ve absolutely stood by this statement the last 22 years in school administration. Teachers are the most integral foundation in a child’s success in school.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve overcome to get where you are? As a female in education administration, I think the biggest challenge I’ve had to overcome is the balance of being a mom and the endless hours required of a school administrator. The balance of doing both jobs well, knowing that children, my own and someone else’s, are counting on me to do the best job possible, weighs on me, every single day.

What are you most proud of accomplishing? Personally, my two kids. J.T. is Class of 2023 and will attend Cal Poly, SLO, this fall, and my daughter, Ava, is a sophomore (Class of 2025). They have both exceeded any expectations I’ve had as a mom for them. I continue to wish for them to be happy, healthy and productive future community members.

Professionally, I also have two. First, earning my doctorate. As I have shared with colleagues, a doctorate demonstrates your tenacity. It requires a lot of sacrifices and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to earn this degree because of the support of my dad and kids.

The second is very recent. Being awarded the 2023 California Distinguished School award earlier this year was a huge accomplishment for our school. When I was hired as the superintendent/principal seven years ago, TRCS was one of the lowest performing schools in Sutter County. This award is the culmination of seven years of hard work by the entire TRCS staff. This staff has refined and built their practices to ensure student engagement and learning. There are so many talented educational leaders who never achieve this recognition, and that is not lost on me. It’s truly a wonderful recognition.

How has ACSA supported you in your career/current position? I am proud to have been an ACSA member for the last 25-plus years. I think I have utilized every resource and service possible, from career professional development to legal support (e.g., reviewing my contract). However, the best part of ACSA has been getting involved at a deeper level, whether it be on the ACSA strategic planning committee or legislating policy for California students. I’m proud of the work ACSA does every day supporting students and education in California.

How are you prioritizing mental health for yourself, your staff and/or your students? At TRCS mental health is a priority. We have a 2.0 FTE counseling staff for 482 students. We know that students learn better when they are healthy and have their needs met.

I believe the best way I’ve modeled this personally is communicating and prioritizing my own mental health. Having lost my father last year after a brief illness, the balance between being a superintendent/principal, a full-time mom to two teenagers, and a daughter whose dad needed a full-time caretaker provided a very public scenario. For seven weeks, I was my father’s primary caregiver, while also modeling to my staff that putting family and my own health first was not lip service. I’m grateful to have had a Board of Directors and administrative team who supported this decision. It was scary, I hadn’t had seven weeks off from my career since I was 28. But taking this time with him allowed me to focus on my family and return to work in a better place; I’ve had staff thank me for doing this. Being very public with my staff and the school community was important during this time, and I believe supported our school’s belief in advocating for mental health.