Councilor Amanda Chavez

Amanda Chavez

District 4 Councilor

Councilor Chavez is a mother, educator, community servant, and mental health advocate. She was born and raised on the south side of Santa Fe by her parents, Eliseo and Tomasita Chavez, who are retired from the New Mexico state government. Councilor Chavez attended Sweeney Elementary School and, Turquoise Trail Elementary School, Capshaw Middle School and graduated from Santa Fe High School in 2003. After high school, she moved to Albuquerque to attend the University of New Mexico. In 2007, she earned a double Bachelor's in Special Education k-12 and General Education k-8 with a minor in mathematics. Councilor Chavez then began to teach middle school in Albuquerque and was immediately drawn to the population of students that needed her most. The children with so much potential but so many barriers and challenges inspired her to do more and to make a difference on a larger scale. In 2013 she began a Master's Program at Grand Canyon University, and in 2015 earned a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership.

In 2015 she moved back home to Santa Fe. She taught special education at Amy Biehl Elementary School for two years and then received an opportunity to become assistant principal at César Chávez Elementary School. After a year as assistant principal, she moved into the principalship at César Chávez Elementary School, where she oversaw the school's recent transition to a community school. This community school work allowed her to truly see the needs of Santa Fe and to meet all of the community partners and individuals trying to address these needs. She was able to not only witness but experience the power of community uniting to address a common cause and the impact it can have. This work motivated her to run for City Council as she wanted to bring her experience of united community efforts to the city leadership.

Councilor Chavez is also currently the Special Education Director at Santa Fe Public Schools. Her heart in both roles continues to be focused on making a difference for our youth.