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| Affiliation | Democratic |
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2018-01-01 |
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| Name | Karen M. Trujillo |
| Address |
Las Cruces, New Mexico , United States |
| Email | None |
| Website | None |
| Born |
September 25, 1970
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| Died | February 25, 2021
(50 years)
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| Contributor | BrentinCO |
| Last Modifed | BrentinCO
Jan 21, 2022 09:46pm |
| Tags |
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| Info | NM Secretary of Public Education
Dona Ana County Commissioner
Dr. Karen Marie Trujillo, 50, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, beloved wife and partner to Ben Trujillo, mother of Taralyn, Tim and, Tavyn, transitioned from this earth to be with her Lord Jesus, and with the Communion of Saints, on Thursday, February 25, 2021. Karen was born in Albuquerque on September 25, 1970, to Gilbert and Bernadette Apodaca. After stints living in Farmington and Questa, her Apodaca family moved to Santa Fe. She was precocious, a student of life, always learning. She attended Kearney, Capshaw and Santa Fe High. In her youth, she was active in 4-H, and began her lifelong affair with words, art, music, and nature. She was first a teacher to her four younger siblings, and to many cousins and friends. The summer before her senior year, she was elected Lt. Governor of Girls State, then moved to Las Cruces. Excelling in her studies and active in drama, she graduated from Mayfield High in 1988. She was commencement speaker.
In 1991 Karen met the love of her life, Ben Trujillo. They were married in the summer of 1992 by Monsignor John Anderson at Holy Cross Catholic Church. They went on to have 3 beautiful children, Taralyn, Timothy and Tavyn.
Karen lived a profound life of service and was a force for education in the state. Her deep spirituality guided her each day. She delighted in her faith journey—with a particular devotion to Mary and the Holy Family—and, at the same time, Karen saw the Spirit of God in all whose lives she touched, whatever their background. For twenty-five years, she dedicated herself professionally, with full resolve and purpose, and with much wisdom and joy, to the students, teachers, and families of New Mexico. She lit up every room she entered with authenticity, intelligence, and compassion. In a world built on transactional relationships, Karen did for others without expectation of something in return. She shared by example her vision for elevating others above self, and working on being our best selves. She was living out God's purpose for her life.
Karen began her career as a math teacher at Las Cruces High in 1993. She thereafter taught at Cobre High in Bayard, Hot Springs High in Truth or Consequences and at Alma D'Arte Charter High School in Las Cruces. She served as Principal of the Las Cruces Catholic School.
Karen was a proud Aggie, earning her bachelor's and master's degrees in mathematics education, and her Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction in mathematics. As all who witnessed know, she loved cheering (intensely) for her beloved Aggies.
In 2000, Karen began working at NMSU as an adjunct professor and remained a local school administrator. While at NMSU, among other things, Karen wrote grants, conducted research and became Director of K-12 outreach for the Alliance for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning with the College of Education. While Director, in 2015 she founded Educators Rising New Mexico, a program which recruits high schoolers to teaching careers. Karen also started NMSU's Southwest Outreach Academic Research Lab and worked in multiple research and development roles for Math Snacks, a grant-funded program which developed a set of games and animations to help children understand math concepts. Later, Karen became Interim Associate Dean for Research in NMSU's College of Education.
In 2018, Karen ran for the District 5 seat on the Doña Ana County Commission and won. After weeks in office, and her selection as Chairwoman, she was nominated to be Secretary of the New Mexico Department of Education. She was unanimously confirmed by the New Mexico Senate and served with grace and knowledge. She tirelessly rallied the state's students and teachers to a belief that there was hope to be had in our shared future. Karen thereafter returned home, where she became Superintendent of the Las Cruces Public School District. She guided the children and teachers of Las Cruces with a steady hand. She navigated a cyber-attack and the current pandemic. She never was overwhelmed by circumstance or expectation because she always knew that education was the business of changing lives. There was nothing she would rather do. She led without fear, and with the conviction that we all have a duty to use our gifts to make our community and world a better place.
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