Ileana Herrera Lobo

Associate Principal at Carrboro High School

Ileana was born and raised in Costa Rica. She has two wonderful children, Daniela and Carlos. Ileana came to the US in 1999 to teach as a visiting teacher in Lee County. Ileana became a single parent while the family was adjusting to the new cultural barriers, school system, new jobs, new language, new weather, all the "news" we experience when we first get to the US. She struggled a lot to stay afloat, like many of you may have as well. Ileana started as an ESL teacher at first, then advanced to ESL Lead teacher, migrant database manager, and interpreter/translator for the district. During this time Ileana grew as a professional and was offered the opportunity to stay, so the family of three stayed. Later Ileana completed the master for school administration in UNC Chapel Hill and started her career as a school administrator, basically in isolation and with no support system. During this time, she has been a school administrator at Jordan-Matthews High School, then Chapel Hill High School, then East Chapel Hill High School, and finally Carrboro High School. During this time, she has experienced discrimination, alienation, and isolation in her leadership role. It felt as if no one can see or noticed what she has done for the schools she has served. She realized after 14 years in the profession, that the best she could be was a Latina leader within her own community. She is seeking to organize the Latino professional community in her district and seeking representation at the board level, so that their work can be seen and celebrated, just like everyone else's. Ileana realized that only her community will notice her and recognize her as an asset in the very complex world of public education. She is thankful for the support, the recognition, and the welcoming. She is encouraged to keep going with the support of her community.