Outstanding Women of Valencia County:

Rhonda Flores

Published March 13, 2025 - 5:00 a.m. Modified March 13, 2025 - 12:18 p.m.

Rhonda Flores is a counselor at Valencia High School. She has a bachelor’s degree in human resource management from New Mexico State University, and a master’s degree in school counseling from New Mexico Highlands University.

She has two daughters, Anjelica, age 22, a graduate from Century High School; and Gloria, age 25, graduate from Los Lunas High School; and one granddaughter, Danielle, age 4.

She is involved with Upward Bound through UNM-Valencia as the on-call counselor, which serves Belen, Los Lunas and Valencia high schools.

How do you achieve work-life balance?

“I achieve a balance by making my home my rescue, my safe place, my sanctuary. I take time for myself by enjoying the quiet time of taking care of my four dogs and feeding a flock of birds that live in my evergreen trees that line my front yard. I remember to take time to appreciate nature and am in awe of the sunrises and sunsets New Mexico gives us each day.”

What made you decide to pursue the career path you’re currently on?

“I started working for Los Lunas Schools in 2001 as a career transition specialist at Los Lunas High School. I worked with all grade levels and developed a Career Pathway Program through the Advisory Program.

“At LLHS, I worked alongside the counseling department to compliment the work of a school counselor. After two years, I decided to pursue my master’s degree in school counseling as I was intrigued with the work coming from the counseling office and the 1:1 work with students.

“I became a licensed school counselor in 2004. I decided to pursue school counseling because of the many students that this career allows me to meet, interact with and how I can help them achieve their potential as human beings. I continue to feel invigorated and challenged with the work I am blessed to do each and every day.”

How do you stay motivated and inspired as a leader?

“The students inspire me and help me stay motivated. They are the true essence of a school. Hearing them share their accomplishments, their difficult times and their joyful experiences makes me want to strive and lead them with grace and energy.

I also believe that working with an amazing counseling team at LLHS and now at VHS also provides motivation and passion for what I do.”

What is the biggest challenge and most rewarding aspect of your profession?

“The biggest challenge is when potential of a student can be seen and the student is unable to tap into that potential. When I work with a student and provide the many avenues for success, work to create the path toward graduation, and when a student makes a choice to not follow their chosen path. That is one of the hardest things for me as a school counselor.

“The most rewarding aspect is to watch the growth of a student from ninth grade to 12th grade. To be a part of that growth and development is something quite awesome and rewarding. I always tell seniors, ‘You need to be preparing for what life holds for you. You have come so far with close to 13 years of school and the world awaits you. Be ready for that next adventure; you are ready and remember all that you have learned along the way.’”

Do you enjoy your job as much today as when you started?

“Absolutely, yes! That is why I am not ready to retire quite yet. I find such joy working with students, getting to know them, hearing their life stories, being in amazement of what they have gone through in life and watching them soar through the challenges of high school.”

If you could say one thing to your younger self or give them one piece of advice what would it be?

“Take your time in life, slow down, breathe, believe in yourself, always count your blessings and like my mama tells me ... always turn a negative into a positive. There is a reason for everything. And remember to always turn to God in thanksgiving and prayer.”