Lightning Round with Dr. Teresa Leyba Ruiz

M & M: Tell us about your first job.

Dr Ruiz: My first job, at age 13, was creating balloon animals for the Ringling Bros Circus in Phoenix.

M & M: Now you’re running for Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction. What’s going to make you successful there?

Dr Ruiz: My 35-year career in education has allowed me to work as a K-12 math teacher but also to serve as President of Glendale Community College. GCC is larger than the Arizona Department of Education. So, I have both classroom and executive leadership experience that makes me well prepared for the challenges ahead.

M & M: What has surprised you most during this campaign?

Dr Ruiz: I’ve gotten to visit all 15 counties and see places that I’d never even heard of despite being an Arizona native. It’s been such a joy to walk in the footsteps of past generations of my family and make so many new friends along the way.

M & M: What is your favorite food and where do you get it?

Dr Ruiz: I love a good pan dulce but we had a great meal at El Antojo Poblano in Tucson earlier this year.

M & M: What makes you laugh?

Dr Ruiz: My team is really funny and we try to use humor to cope with the long days on the campaign trail.

Marian Hill & Melvina Strijdonk