About me
Jose Ortega serves as Superintendent of Mountain Valley School District RE-1, a rural K-12 district nestled in the San Luis Valley of Colorado, serving fewer than 200 students. A native of the San Luis Valley and a graduate of Adams State University, Jose's career in education began in the classroom as a teacher and progressed through roles as a dean of students and high school principal before stepping into the superintendency. Each step of that journey deepened his commitment to equity and access for every student, regardless of background or circumstance, and his conviction that geography should never determine the quality of a child's education.
Jose leads Mountain Valley with a philosophy rooted in the belief that "all means all," building systems and relationships that ensure no child is overlooked. As a proud inaugural fellow of the 4 Corners LatinX Leadership Academy (Cohort 1) and an active member of the Rural Superintendent Academy, the CDE New Superintendent Cohort, CRSA, and CASE, he is committed to his own continuous growth while investing in the broader community of Latino educators across the region. His work is guided by three strategic priorities: ensuring every student masters every standard, growing and retaining exceptional local talent, and building strong organizational foundations for long-term sustainability. Jose is passionate about connecting with fellow Latino educational leaders who share a commitment to equity, rural communities, and cultivating the next generation of administrators who reflect the students they serve.
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