Celebrating National Assistant Principals Week: Honoring the Heart of Our Schools

A.J. Romero has never taken the easy path. As the assistant principal at Garden Place Academy, a school facing numerous challenges in downtown Denver, she plays a pivotal role in student behavior management, implementing positive behavioral strategies and creating individualized interventions. She also supports an intensive program for students with autism, coaching and mentoring teachers and paraprofessionals to ensure the program's success.

"My mission is clear: to support students who need it most," she says. "I will always be the person who finds fulfillment in being there for others."

A.J.'s journey into education and leadership is deeply rooted in her upbringing. Raised by a single mother who worked tirelessly to provide for her, A.J. was also profoundly influenced by her maternal grandmother, Bea Romero, who played a crucial role in raising her.

"My grandmother was everything to me," A.J. recalls. "She showed up for me every single day, even walking me to school during my elementary years."

Athletics played a key role in A.J.'s development and became her anchor. From a young age, she excelled in basketball, softball and baseball. Although her family couldn’t afford competitive sports programs, they ensured she had access to quality programs at the La Alma Recreation Center, YMCA and through school-based athletics.

She attended JFK High School outside her neighborhood and says, "It changed my world. It was a community that truly cared about its students." There, she met Harry Mosley, an inspiring basketball coach who made a lasting impact. Years later, A.J. took over his coaching position, carrying on his legacy.

By high school, A.J. was playing varsity softball and basketball. College sports were not part of her overall vision, but by the age of 13, she knew her calling was to teach kids about sports. She began coaching youth sports to give back to the community. Coaching became a year-round commitment—summer jobs, volunteer work—and a source of personal fulfillment.

After earning her B.A. and M.A. in Colorado, A.J. continued to coach basketball at various schools across the state. However, she quickly realized that making ends meet on her modest salary wasn’t feasible. She took a paraeducator position at Smith Elementary School, a high-needs school where 98% of families are on free and reduced lunch, and many students experience high levels of trauma and homelessness. Despite the challenges, the Smith community worked together to support one another for the benefit of the children.

A.J. quickly made an impact, becoming the restorative justice coordinator. "I was always willing to do whatever it took to give back," she says, recognizing the support she received growing up.

At Smith, A.J. organized a wide range of events, including spring and fall festivals. She also coordinated more than 22 enrichment programs designed to support students' social-emotional needs and help families feel welcome.

When she was promoted to dean of students, she took on special education management and developed systems to improve school culture. Her portfolio expanded further when she became assistant principal, overseeing instructional practices and professional development. She was also deeply involved in supporting the Affective Needs program, which provided targeted interventions for students with emotional and behavioral challenges.

Today, at Garden Place Academy, A.J. continues to work with the same kinds of student needs and challenges. "No matter where I am or where I land, I will always advocate for students in need and connect them with resources to help them realize their potential," she says.

Reflecting on the state of education today, A.J. acknowledges the difficulties caused by ever-changing academic initiatives.

"There are so many initiatives that often shift before they are fully implemented," she notes. "And in low-performing schools, it's hard to agree on the best way to achieve high standards and provide the right social-emotional supports.”

She adds, “Education is a tough field, yet it is extremely rewarding….Watching kids grow up and become good people who aim to achieve their goals and be who they want to be is key and sets the tone for the next generation."

A.J. has become an active member of the Denver School Leaders Association, AFSA Local 136. She sees unions as an important means of addressing concerns and fostering a supportive work environment.

On a personal level, A.J. has found a good work-life balance. This is the first year in 16 that she is not coaching. She now has more time to support her two sons, Liam, 5, and Blake, 6, in their athletic and academic endeavors. Liam is particularly enthusiastic about sports, while Blake is more academic and attends Denver University at Ricks, an outstanding program for gifted and talented students.

A.J. and her wife, Lindsay—also an assistant principal—have settled into a family-friendly home in Henderson, just a short drive from downtown Denver. Liam has a passion for singing, and music plays a central role in their lives. They also have a gentle service dog named Nova, a golden retriever who sometimes accompanies A.J. or Lindsay to work. "Nova is the calmest dog you could ever meet," A.J. says. "She is an angel to our family and to our schools."

Through her school and personal experiences, A.J. says she hopes to continue "to embody the values of perseverance, service and advocacy."