Los Lunas Schools superintendent, family man and ‘Star Wars’ geek

 

Submitted photos
Arsenio Romero, who was born and raised in Valencia County, was hired as the Los Lunas superintendent at the beginning of this year after serving as the superintendent of Deming Public Schools.

Dr. Arsenio Romero, the superintendent of Los Lunas Schools, is married to Amber Romero. He previously worked as superintendent of the Deming School District before moving back to Valencia County, where he was born and raised, when he was appointed to superintendent in January. He, his wife and children, Taylor, 22, Joseph, 18, Adlilen, 11, Andru, 10, now reside in Los Lunas.

 

Q What do you think about when you’re alone in your car?

A “I return a lot of my phone calls while driving in the car. I do love music though. I am definitely a metal fan!”

 

Q What’s a myth about your profession you’d like to bust?

A “It is hard to describe what a superintendent does. I believe that many people have a perception of what happens from day to day.

“The truth is that a superintendent must make the best decisions he or she can to better the lives for all students. People are always involved in every decision that needs to be made.”

 

Arsenio Romero with New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham after he received a Humanitarian Award in September 2019 for his work with asylum seekers.

Q What were you like in high school?

A “I was the ‘nice guy.’ I had a wonderful core group of friends. We are all still very close today.”

 

Q What is the best advice you’ve ever received and from whom?

A “Always do the right thing, even when it is hard to do … this is from many mentor superintendents.”

 

Q What did you want to be when you grew up?

A “A school principal … I wanted to be like Mr. Chavez. He was my principal at Jaramillo Elementary in Belen.”

 

Q Who inspires you?

A “My mom inspires me. She was a first-grade teacher for 25 years. She still has an amazing positive impact on her students to this day.”

 

Q If you could work any other job for one day, what would it be and why?

A “I am still a teacher at heart. Sometimes I still get to be that. I love to go into classrooms and teach a lesson. I also teach classes for our future teachers and leaders at both Western New Mexico University and New Mexico State University.”

 

Q What do you do in your free time?

A “I do a lot of Jeep overlanding and offroading. I also love to ride dirt bikes with my friends and family.”

 

Q What’s something about you most people don’t know?

A“I am a ‘Star Wars’ geek.”

 

Romero pictured with his four children, Taylor, Joseph, Adilen and Andru, and his wife, Amber. When it comes to football in his household, half are Washington Football Team fans and half are fans of the Dallas Cowboys.

Q What three books would you to take to a deserted island?

A “The Alchemist, The Count of Monte Cristo (and) Sapiens.”

 

Q You find a lottery ticket that ends up winning $10 million. What would you do?

A “Take care of all of my family and give back to my community. I would love to set up scholarship funds for future students.”

 

Q Who is your best friend and why?

A “My wife, Amber, is my best friend.  We love being together and living life together. Everything is OK when I have her with me.”

 

Q What’s your favorite song to sing when you’re alone?

A “Too many to list … so many metal bands!”

 

Q Where is your happy place, and why?

A “With my family … going on adventures together. Doing things outdoors.”

 

Q Have you had a life-changing experience that led you to where you are today?

A“Life has brought so many experiences … some good … some bad. I am so very grateful for my children. They have been the greatest gift.

“Of course I do not have a favorite, but one child is very special to me. Her name is Adilen and she is 11 years old. Adilen is strong, opinionated, smart, caring, loving, adventurous and also just happens to be autistic. She teaches me something everyday. She is life changing every day. She makes me a better person every day!”

 

Q What teacher had the greatest impact on you?

A “Mrs. Alice Chavez, my third-grade teacher. She always believed in me.”

 

Arsenio Romero loves to ride dirt bikes, like his KX450, with his friends and family.

Q What is your favorite movie scene and why?

A “I love you.” ”I know.”

 

Q If you could have dinner with one famous person — dead or alive — who would it be and why?

A “I would love to sit down and talk to, learn from, many of our Native leaders, such at Sitting Bull, Geronimo, Crazy Hose and Red Cloud. I know that there is so much I could learn from them.”

 

Q What are you most proud of?

A “When students that I have had an impact on become productive and influential citizens in their community.”

 

Q How would you like to be remembered?

A “As someone who made a difference in public education, in the local community and within the state of New Mexico.”

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The Valencia County News-Bulletin is a locally owned and operated community newspaper, dedicated to serving Valencia County since 1910 through the highest journalistic and professional business standards. The VCNB is published weekly on Thursdays, including holidays both in print and online.