Courtesy photo: Griffin in her role as former superintendent of the Humboldt Unified School District in Prescott Valley, AZ, 2024.
A candid Q&A with the superintendent of Santa Fe Public Schools
By Tara Melton
Dr. Christine E. Griffin, superintendent of Santa Fe Public Schools, brings more than 20 years of experience in public education. Her career reflects a deep commitment to student success, instructional innovation, and community engagement. Previously, she served as the superintendent of the Humboldt Unified School District in Prescott Valley, Arizona. She served as executive director of Educational Services and Innovation, as a principal, district intervention coordinator, instructional coach, and a classroom teacher.
She has championed equitable access and whole-child development throughout her leadership journey. Christine holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Northern Arizona University along with certifications in multiple areas, including special education and school administration. A strong advocate for professional learning, she has completed extensive training in school leadership and inclusive practices. Her work extends into the community through partnerships with education foundations, local chambers, and strategic planning groups, all focused on creating innovative learning environments where students and educators can thrive.
Can you tell us a little bit about where you grew up and what your childhood was like?
I grew up in Gilbert, Arizona. I lived on a street with four other girls my same age, so we often did a lot of things outside together. We all had horses. Mine was a dappled palomino, and her name was Coco. We would go out and ride through cotton fields, and Gilbert was developing so quickly that in sixth grade, I was riding the horse through the cotton field, and the next year, I was going to junior high where that cotton field used to be. I had a nice childhood, a lot of friends, and being outside.
What inspired you to go into education?
When I was younger, I really did not want to be a teacher. But then I graduated from high school and didn’t really have a plan. I attended community college and proved to myself that I could accomplish the work. I still didn’t know what I wanted to do. I ended up learning a trade and became a massage therapist in my twenties. I had my own business, and for several years I learned things the hard way. I began thinking, “Wow, I really wish I had learned this in school.” People around me would complain about kids these days, and it really inspired me to make a difference. I wanted kids to graduate with a plan and not experience things the hard way like I did. I decided to become a teacher when I was 27.
Courtesy photo: Griffin on a mountain bike ride, embracing adventure and the great outdoors.
Did you have a favorite subject you loved as a student or when you were teaching?
I loved science. I just always imagined myself to be a scientist. I think it’s a little bit ironic that the things that I loved in third, fourth, and fifth grade were researching a problem and trying different ways to solve that problem. Education is a lot like that, looking at data and figuring out how to solve the challenges within that data.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Griffin: I enjoy mountain biking. When I was forty, I learned about this subculture of people called mountain bikers, and they hung out together around campfires and rode their bikes all day. The idea that these grown adults who ride their bikes together on weekends just seemed really intriguing. Now, more than years later, every weekend my husband and I are out riding our bikes.
What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?
I’m not an extrovert. Being superintendent, you are around people constantly, and it’s so important to have that extroverted lens. But I’ve learned I need balance and to be able to recover from being around people all day.
How do you stay grounded during difficult times?
I walk my dogs in the morning and the evening. It gives me the chance to really shut out all the noise around me and take a moment to focus on the bigger picture.
What do you love most about leading a district?
I love helping people. Being a leader is such a privilege. Remembering the why behind it and being able to empower and allow people to make their own choices, and have their own autonomy, but all move in the same direction, and support them with that is really incredible.
How do you define success for a school district beyond just test scores and graduation rates?
It’s 100 percent culture. When you walk into any of our schools, I want you to feel welcomed and that you belong. Also, all of the amazing outcomes for our students, it’s a feeling of being proud to be where you’re at.
How do you balance leading such a large district while staying personally connected to students and families?
This is something that’s super important to me. One of the tools that I’ve learned in the past is how important it is to manage my schedule. I have to make sure that every week I have time set aside to be at the schools, walking through classrooms, and making sure that when there are parent events, that my staff and I are attending those things, so we know the heartbeat of the district.
Courtesy photo: Griffin and her husband enjoy a night out listening to live music together.
What advice would you give to students who are struggling or feeling unsure about their path?
Just keep at it. It’s not meant to be easy, and anyone who thinks that they’re supposed to know everything, doesn’t know everything. So just give yourself a break, and take a breath, and know that learning is hard but it’s worth it.
What legacy do you hope to leave behind a superintendent?
My legacy is always leaving places better than I found them. I hope that people will look back and see that I was able to accomplish things and that I led in a very kind, authentic, and supportive way.
What’s your vision for students and parents in the district?
The vision is engagement. Our students, in the world that they’re growing up in, are very disconnected from each other. It’s about being present in the moment and engaging with their surroundings, their classmates, their peers, and for the families to engage with the schools. I also want teachers and staff to feel welcomed. That’s really the goal—to have every student, family, teacher, and staff member engaged.
Courtesy photo: Griffin pauses to share a joyful moment with her beloved Labrador, Ollie.
Tara Melton serves as the public information officer of the Santa Fe Public Schools (SFPS), a district dedicated to educating approximately 11,000 students throughout the Santa Fe area. SFPS is committed to providing every student with a safe, high-quality, and engaging education—one that embraces diversity, promotes equity, and advances social justice. The district works in close partnership with the community to make the most of its collective resources. Learn more at sfps.info.
