Welcome to Adelante Leadership, the podcast where we celebrate the stories of inspiring leaders who are creating meaningful change in their communities and beyond. We are your co-hosts, Peter and Tania, and we are so excited to bring you today’s episode, which delves into a topic that is at the heart of true leadership: vulnerability and its transformative power in education.

Joining us today is Hector Bojorquez, a visionary leader with over 25 years of experience in education. Hector began his journey as an educator in a bilingual elementary school classroom, where he saw firsthand the profound impact of culturally responsive teaching. Today, as the Director of Operations and Educational Practice at the Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA), he is shaping racially equitable education systems that lift up students, families, and school communities.

At IDRA, Hector has pioneered initiatives like Youth Leadership Now, an asset-based program that empowers students in at-risk situations to become community leaders and blaze a pathway to success. He also co-directs Re-energizing Leadership to Achieve Greater Student Success, a project that transforms school instruction through innovative practices and school-community collaboration.

In this episode, we’ll explore how vulnerability has guided Hector’s work in education—from building trust with students and teachers to creating spaces where individuals feel seen, valued, and empowered to succeed. We’ll discuss the challenges and triumphs of transforming schools into inclusive, collaborative environments and how vulnerability serves as a catalyst for both personal and systemic change.

Get ready for an inspiring conversation about leadership, equity, and the courage it takes to reimagine education. Let’s dive in!