A Vice Principal’s ‘Vulnerageous’ Equity Leadership
“Sometimes I struggle with my own imposter syndrome as a leader, especially in the education world,” Dr. Nicole Tafoya candidly shares. “Because I've always felt like I didn't fit in the box.” Dr. Tafoya is a Vice Principal in Santa Clara Unified School District whose deep-rooted value of education stretches back to her own childhood. Growing up in a Santa Rosa neighborhood where she witnessed firsthand the struggle against systemic barriers, Dr. Tafoya brings more than just professional expertise to her role — she brings a profound understanding of what's at stake for her students.
Since 2023, Dr. Tafoya and a team of district colleagues have participated in the National Equity Project's District Redesign Network (DRN). The District Redesign Network is a national network of U.S. school districts seeking to redesign their school system to improve learning conditions and experiences for historically marginalized and underserved students. Teams develop student-centered, equity leadership skills through coaching, virtual convenings, in-person retreats, and on-site learning labs.
As she enters year two of DRN’s 3-year program, Dr. Tafoya has not only strengthened her leadership capabilities, but she’s also deepened her understanding of how her own lived experiences enhance her ability to serve her students. "My own leadership has drastically changed by being a member of National Equity Project," she reflects. "It's really given me the opportunity to find my own voice, to really think deeply about who I wanna be when I show up."
According to her NEP coaches, showing up is exactly what Dr. Tafoya has done throughout her participation in the program. From volunteering to join a personal experience panel in year one to sharing the impact and learnings of students in her Dreamerz program in year two, she’s shown a deep commitment to the equity leadership development process. “Dr. Tafoya has a lot to teach other people about what it means to be ‘vulner-ageous’,” says NEP Sr. Equity Leadership Consultant, Roxanne Kymaani. “She understands what it means to be vulnerable, courageous, and authentic.”
What might once have seemed like limitations, Dr. Tafoya now recognizes as her unique strengths. Along with her deep passion for Santa Clara youth, her ability to connect with students across different backgrounds and circumstances has become one of her greatest assets. "I can walk onto the prison yard at San Quentin State Prison and work with lifers and youth offenders, and I can walk on a kindergarten campus and deal with an upset kindergarten grandma," she shares proudly.
Through her work with DRN, Dr. Tafoya is not only embracing her authentic leadership style, she's also developed an enhanced capacity to advance equity in education. "Now with National Equity Project, there's so many more doors I wanna knock on and things we have to change for our future." Equipped with growing equity leadership skills, an approach that’s fundamentally student-centered, and a like-minded community of DRN equity leaders — Dr. Tafoya is a powerful force for positive change in public education. “As someone who grapples with imposter syndrome myself, I look at her and think, ‘Wow, how could you not be here,’ says NEP Sr. Equity Leadership Consultant, Woo Williams. “The world needs her to shine as bright as she can because she is just amazingly powerful.”
