April Spotlight: Every Woman of Action Makes a Difference!

Mary Ann Dellinger

This month’s spotlight is Mary Ann Dellinger, a newly elected school board member in Humboldt Unified School District. Our SMART Schools (Schools for Merit, Academics, Respect & Truth) program helped her with knowledge, connections and campaign training. We’re proud to count her as one of our WINS for students’ education! Mary writes, “I am very honored to have your confidence and thank all the AZ Women of Action for their unyielding support of our children, the most precious gift we have.”  

Read Mary Ann’s Interview below and why she says, “there is no more meaningful way to serve your community”. 
 

• Tell us about yourself   

I was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and grew up on Long Island—though if you speak with me, my accent will likely give that away. At the age of four, my father—a sales manager for Procter & Gamble—was transferred to Frankfurt, Germany, to work in Military Resale. German became my second language, but it was Spanish that captured my heart. That passion led me, shortly after college, to Spain, where I lived for 18 years and raised my son, William Antonio.  

I am honored to hold the title of Professor emerita of Modern Languages and Cultures (Spanish) at the Virginia Military Institute. During my tenure at VMI, I taught Spanish, Peninsular Studies, and Spanish for Specific Purposes (SSP). My 49-year career as an educator in second languages and teacher education spans two continents and four languages, including 11 years of service in the Tucson Unified School District.  

I earned my PhD in Spanish from Arizona State University and my Master’s in Education from the University of Arizona; my undergraduate work (Secondary Ed/Spanish and French) was at the University of New Mexico.   

My academic research bridges two distinct but intertwined fields: second language acquisition and the Communist discourse of Spain’s anti-Francoist movement. Together, they inform my central scholarly pursuit—Marxist education. Over the years, I have published numerous critical essays, co-edited three scholarly volumes, and presented more than 50 papers at international conferences.    

I have also co-authored four textbook programs, including the 2nd and 3rd editions of Sendas literarias, a literature-based course designed for native and heritage speakers of Spanish.  

For the record, I have never held membership in a teachers’ union—local or national—nor in the American Association of University Professors.  

• How did you first hear about AZ Women of Action?  

I was first introduced to Arizona Women of Action at a community event in Chino Valley last April—and the rest, as they say, is history.  

I am deeply grateful for the training, resources, and network of principled, courageous individuals that AZ Women of Action has provided. Their support has been invaluable to me—both as a Conservative candidate and now as an elected member of the HUSD Governing Board.  

• What compelled you to run for school board?  

When asked why I chose to run, my answer is always the same: I had no choice.  

Not because I was pressured, but because I was compelled—by conscience, by experience, and by a deep love for my profession and my country. After nearly five decades in education, I could not stand by while the very foundations of academic excellence, intellectual freedom, and civic virtue are being quietly dismantled.  

To remain silent would have been easier. But it would also have been a betrayal—of everything I’ve taught, everything I’ve learned, and everything I believe.  

• Now that you’re elected (congrats by the way!!), what has your experience been as a school board member? Any surprises or things you didn’t expect?  

Thank you. ... The greatest surprise thus far has been the sheer scope of time and study required to truly grasp the responsibilities of a governing board member—and the complexity of the issues we face here in Humboldt. Fortunately, retirement affords me the freedom to give this role the full measure of my attention: attending webinars, asking questions, and immersing myself in the work—reading, reading, and reading some more.  

But I remain steadfast in my commitment to due diligence to ensure every decision I make is the product of careful inquiry, thoughtful deliberation, and an unwavering focus on what best serves our students, our schools, and the community we are entrusted to represent.  

• What are the biggest issues you’re hoping to address/change in Humboldt Unified?    

My focus is—and will remain—squarely on academic achievement. Yes, proficiency rates across the state are troubling, but that does not give any district a free pass. We cannot excuse poor performance by pointing to equally poor outcomes elsewhere. Comparisons are no substitute for excellence.  

Moreover, the concept of “growth” has been given outsized importance, particularly through the Arizona School Report Card system. While growth matters, it must not overshadow the fundamental goal: ensuring that students reach and exceed grade-level proficiency.  

In alignment with President Trump’s Executive Orders on combating indoctrination in public schools—and in response to the subsequent “Dear Colleague” letter issued by the current Department of Education—I am equally committed to upholding the principles of equal access and treatment of all students, with no exceptions.  

I am especially encouraged by HUSD Superintendent Griffin’s recent announcement of a comprehensive audit of our district’s policies, curricula, and practices. This proactive step—to assess alignment with the expectations set forth in the Department’s letter—will include a thorough evaluation and, where necessary, revisions to ensure full compliance with both federal and state regulations. It is a timely and important measure, and I fully support it.  

• What advice do you have for someone considering running for school board?  

Above all, if you’re considering running for school board, know what you’re signing up for—and be prepared to invest long hours, both seen and unseen. The work extends far beyond the dais. It means studying policy, poring over budgets, attending trainings, engaging with the community, and staying current in an ever-evolving educational climate.  

But perhaps more importantly, it means understanding the weight of the responsibility you carry. You are entrusted with the future of children, the confidence of their parents, and the responsibility to uphold the public’s trust. You will make decisions that affect lives—and not everyone will agree with you. In fact, someone will always be unhappy. But such is the nature of leadership.  

You must be able to withstand pressure without losing your principles, and face criticism without compromising your convictions. The role demands a steady hand, a clear mind, and a thick skin. It is not glamorous, and it is certainly not easy.  

And if you’re willing to do the work, to stand firm when it counts, and to always keep students at the center of your decision-making, then I would say there is no more meaningful way to serve your community.  

Mary Ann Dellinger, PhD, MAEd, Professor emerita of Spanish, Virginia Military Institute