Dora Maldonado is a content creator and health peer specialist who is challenging incumbent James Hernandez for the Place 1 seat on Edgewood ISD’s Board of Trustees. She has also served on Edgewood’s School Health Advisory Council.
Hear from the candidate
1. Please tell voters about yourself.
I am Dora Maldonado, a longtime Edgewood ISD parent as well as EISD graduate, community advocate, and passionate voice for children and families. I have four children connected to the district, giving me firsthand experience navigating our schools as a parent and advocate. I have served in leadership roles including SHAC Chair, DEIC Co-Chair, Booster Club President, and on PBIS and other school committees. Professionally, I am a Community Health Worker, Certified Family Partner, and Mental Health Peer Specialist, supporting children, families, and communities through challenging situations. I am also a college student continuing my education while working and serving my community. My connection to Edgewood is deeply personal. I graduated from EISD sat in those classrooms , sat in meetings, advocated for students, supported teachers, and experienced both the strengths and challenges of our district firsthand. I am running because every child/staff/teacher and community Member deserves someone at the table who will listen, ask questions, and stand up for them.
2. Please describe the relevant work experience you bring to this job and any endorsements voters should note.
I bring something that cannot simply be learned from a textbook, lived experience. As a parent and community advocate, I have spent years navigating IEPs, 504 plans, ARDs, school concerns, student services, and district processes while advocating for children and families. My professional experience as a Community Health Worker, Certified Family Partner, and Mental Health Peer Specialist has taught me how to listen without judgment, work with families in difficult situations, connect people with resources, and bring different voices to the table. My leadership through SHAC, DEIC, PBIS, athletics, City of San Antonio positions/policy council and other school committees has also given me direct experience working with parents, students, educators, administrators, and community partners. My greatest qualification is understanding what it feels like to be the parent sitting across the table asking, “Who is going to advocate for my child?” I will bring that same determination to every student in EISD.
3. Why did you decide to seek this office and how you would approach the role?
I decided to run because I believe our children deserve a school board that listens, asks the hard questions, and puts students first listens to staff /teachers and community. I have experienced firsthand what happens when parents feel unheard, when communication breaks down, and when families have to fight to receive the support their children need. I am not running because I believe I have all the answers. I am running because I know how to listen, ask questions, research the issues, and keep pushing for answers. My approach would be transparent, student-centered, and community driven. I will not be afraid to respectfully challenge decisions when I believe they are not in the best interest of our students. I want parents, students, teachers, staff, and community members to know they have a voice. I will bring lived experience, accountability, compassion, and a willingness to stand up for ALL kids not just the loudest voices in the room.
4. How would you solicit input and feedback from constituents?
I believe serving on the school board means being accessible to the people you represent not just during election season or having someone dictate what you can do or not do. I would create multiple ways for parents, students, educators, staff, and community members to communicate with board members (my self included), including community meetings, listening sessions, email, text, surveys, and opportunities to meet directly with families. I would make a point of being present at schools and community events and listening to people where they are. Feedback should not stop with listening. Constituents deserve to know what happened with their concerns and what actions were taken. I would regularly communicate what I/we (board members) are hearing, what we are working on, and where issues stand. I would intentionally seek out voices that are sometimes overlooked, including families of students receiving special education services, students who struggle academically, teachers and support staff, and families who may not feel comfortable speaking at a public meeting. Every voice matters.
5. What do you see as the biggest challenges your school district is facing and what strategies would you want to implement as solutions?
I believe one of our biggest challenges is rebuilding trust with our parents and community while making sure our students are receiving the quality education they deserve. Trust is built through transparency, communication, accountability, and follow-through. Parents should feel respected, heard, and included in decisions that affect their children.
We must also focus on student learning, academic growth, and ensuring students are truly mastering the skills they need to succeed not simply moving students from one grade level to the next. We need to address staffing shortages, teacher retention, large class sizes, special education and 504 support, communication with families, and the resources available to students.
My strategy would begin with listening and data — not assumptions. I would push for transparent reporting on student achievement, learning gaps, class sizes, staffing, special education services, and programs. We need strong academic intervention and tutoring, meaningful support for struggling students, and consistent monitoring of student progress.
Most importantly, parents and the community deserve a seat at the table. Every decision should start with one question: Is this helping our children learn, grow, and prepare for their future?
