Ana Cordova (Democratic)

1217 E 22nd St
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001-3934
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I’m a 3rd generation Wyomingite, born and raised in Cheyenne, and I am 40 years old. I am running because I believe in the transformative power of effective public education. I am proudly a product of Wyoming public schools, and from them, I received the foundation needed to succeed at prestigious universities in law and medicine, and in my career.

I am running to be given the chance to ensure that students across the state have the same opportunities that were afforded to me. I believe in keeping public money in public schools, in trusting and empowering local leaders to make the right decisions for their communities while also maintaining a high standard of academic excellence, and ensuring that all of our students are prepared for their future, no matter their path.

I’m proud to be the Democratic nominee for Superintendent of Public Instruction in this year’s election.

I spent the last decade in Washington, DC where I worked in education: instructing at the Georgetown University School of Medicine, at the American Association for the Advancement of Science where I developed K-12 science curricula which are nationally available from the NSTA Press. I also worked at the AccessLex Institute supporting law schools and future lawyers, and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education where I worked with universities across the country.

After graduating from Cheyenne Central High, I completed a Bachelors in Biochemistry from New Mexico State University and a Masters in Human Genetics and Molecular Biology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine – and the Bill Gates Millennium Scholarship Program funded both. I later completed a Masters in Law at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law where I focused on legal and administrative procedure, regulatory compliance, and statutory interpretation.

Since my youth, I have been heavily involved in the community, including continued volunteering with Laramie County Head Start, the Laramie County Library, Cheyenne Frontier Days, the Hispanic Organization for Progress in Education (HOPE), and others. I am also a big believer in giving back, community strength, and helping those who come behind me – which is why I established the Cordova Family scholarship for a Central High School senior in 2020.

I am running because I believe in the transformative power of effective public education. I am proudly a product of Wyoming public schools, and from them, I received the foundation needed to succeed at prestigious universities in law and medicine, and later in my career at national education-focused nonprofits.

I am running to be given the chance to ensure that students across the state have the same opportunities that were afforded to me. I believe in keeping public money in public schools, in trusting and empowering local leaders to make the right decisions for their communities while also maintaining a high standard of academic excellence, and ensuring that all of our students are prepared for their future whether that includes directly entering the workforce, pursuing the trades, or continuing studying at a college or university.

I will do this by providing trusted, demonstrated leadership as a state executive -
meeting with schools and districts statewide, listening to community concerns, asking the right questions, fostering a collaborative partnership with each district and their constituents, and advocating for the needs of all students. I’m happy to discuss education priorities with any Wyomingite, and I hope to hear from Wyomingites across the state about the issues that matter to them and their communities.

My three priorities for enhancing public schools in Wyoming are 1) attracting, supporting, and retaining quality educators across the state, 2) appropriately funding Wyoming public schools, as mandated by the Wyoming constitution, including keeping public money in public schools, and 3) creating a workforce community of opportunity that encourages our students to remain in Wyoming after high school. To address these issues, Wyoming will need a strong leader who can work with districts and the legislature to advocate for the resources needed by our schools, including competitive, comprehensive compensation for excellent educators. Additionally, a data-driven and evidence-based school funding model will help the legislature more accurately and holistically fund our districts, providing students with quality education and the tools and skills needed to be successful in life. Additionally, Wyomingites value education, and by strengthening relationships with community partners and businesses, we can create opportunities across the state where students are able to work after graduation or after pursuing additional education in college or the trades. Wyoming has a lot to offer to early professionals and young families - we just need to make sure that career options are available where our graduates can thrive across our state.