“I was drawn to being around educators who wanted to do inner work so they could show up with a sense of peace, calmness, and reflection,” he says. “Not reacting, but really seeing people.”

In his role as Deputy Superintendent, Jose intentionally brings this presence into every space he enters.

“One of the biggest things TEL strengthened for me is being present in my body, not just a floating head with tasks to do,” he reflects. “Slowing things down, creating space between thought and action, that’s what allows for sound decisions.”

He has also reimagined how professional spaces are held, from district meetings to principal convenings.

“People trust the calmest person in the room,” he shares. “Being that presence, not doing the most, but simply being, puts people at ease and allows them to think more clearly.”

Through TEL, Jose embraced facilitation as more than a technical skill, but as a way of shaping the emotional and relational field of a space. “We can sit in a circle, begin meetings differently, and create spaces where people are more connected to themselves and each other,” he says.

Transformation from the Inside Out

While TEL offered tools and practices, Jose names his most meaningful transformation as an internal shift.

“One of the biggest changes wasn’t just strategies, it was becoming more comfortable being myself,” he shares. “Having confidence in spaces and knowing that education is not just a set of skills, but a way of being.”

Grounded in principles of nonviolence, interconnectedness, and reflection, his leadership now carries a steady presence that others feel.

“People sometimes say, ‘There’s something about you,’” he reflects. “It’s not that I don’t feel frustration, but I don’t attach to it the same way. That creates space for others to respond differently too.”

He has also brought a deeper focus on well-being into his leadership spaces.

“Creating space for check-ins, allowing breaks, letting people express their needs, those small shifts have transformed how meetings feel and how people show up,” he shares. 

The Power of Beloved Community

For José, one of the most profound aspects of TEL has been the sense of connection and belonging.

“By the end of the first convening, I felt like I had known these people for lifetimes,” he shares. “And every time we came back together, that feeling remained.”

The relationships formed through TEL continue to sustain him.

“It feels like there’s a network across the country of people doing good work that I’m connected to,” he says. “I get excited hearing about what others are creating, what they’re sharing, what’s unfolding in their lives.”

In a field where leaders can often feel isolated, this sense of community offers both grounding and inspiration.

Practices that Sustain the Journey

José approaches his own growth with curiosity and openness, allowing his practices to evolve over time.

“I don’t stay in one place for too long, but I always return,” he reflects.

Recently, reading has become a central practice.

“I’ve been reading a lot, fiction, different cultures, religions, political movements,” he shares. “It helps me make sense of what sometimes feels impossible to understand.”

He describes surrounding himself with books as a humbling reminder of all there is to learn. “The more you realize what you don’t know, the more human you become.”

Alongside reading, Jose has been exploring creative expression through writing and poetry.

“Anything that helps you be creative and curious about your inner world, that’s a spiritual practice,” he says.

Final Reflections

As José reflects on this moment in education, he speaks to both the challenges and the possibilities.

“We’re living in times that feel uncertain and out of our control,” he shares. “But as educators, we have a responsibility to create spaces where people can come together, where they feel a sense of belonging.”

He believes that the antidote to polarization is community.

“Our differences actually make us stronger,” he says. “Whatever the problem, community is the answer.”

For those considering the TEL Fellowship, his message is clear:

“What you gain is a community you can lean on, and a lived experience of what’s possible when people come together with purpose.”

Back to our Alumni Spotlights