Bonnie Lightfoot is a native New Mexican who is a product of New Mexico public schools and a graduate of New Mexico State University. She earned both a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Animal Science and a Master’s Degree in Agricultural Education from NMSU. She is happy to have been in New Mexico education for the entirety of her 29 year career. Prior to administration, she was an Agricultural Education teacher and FFA Advisor and taught in the Aztec, Magdalena and Moriarty, New Mexico school districts. Her favorite part of being a Ag Teacher was the leadership skills and opportunities she was able to provide for her students. Bonnie is most proud of training the New Mexico FFA State Champion Parliamentary Procedure team in 2005 that went on to win the Parliamentary Procedure National FFA Championship in 2005 as well.
Bonnie has recently retired but following her time in the classroom, she served as the Superintendent of House Municipal Schools, Superintendent for Roy Municipal Schools, and Principal and Special Education Director in the Cimarron School District. It was always her goal to meet the needs of students by providing them with world-class teachers who were dedicated to student success, safety, achievement, character-building, and contributions in society. Proficiency scores, graduation rates, and other traditional measures were a priority during her leadership, but molding students into employable, happy, well-rounded adults was a greater goal.
Retirement is not an accurate depiction of Bonnie’s time these days, she is still giving to New Mexico students and educators by her involvement in state level associations where she is continuing to foster relationships with New Mexico lawmakers for the benefit of public education in New Mexico.
While Bonnie is passionate about education in New Mexico, she is most proud to be married to Clay Lightfoot for 28 years and mother of three children; Mackenzie, Micah and Braeden. Education runs deep in her family as both she and her husband are educators and two of their three children are seriously considering entering the education field as a career choice as well.
Past AASA New Mexico Superintendent of the Year Winners:
2023 New Mexico Superintendent of the Year: Dr. Kimberly Mizell
2022 New Mexico Superintendent of the Year: Dennis Roch
2021 New Mexico Superintendent of the Year: Kim Mizell
About the Award:
The Superintendent of the Year program, sponsored by First Student and AASA, pays tribute to the talent and vision of the men and women who lead the nation’s public schools.
State-level winners are selected on the following criteria:
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- Leadership for Learning
- Communication
- Professionalism
- Community Involvement