Owning Her Different: How Ileana Kiriakos, Superintendent at OFY Leads with Heart, Equity, and Vision

Ileana celebrates the opening of OFY’s new High Desert campus, with Principal Bernadette Grant, expanding opportunities for students to learn in ways that fit them best.

“I just fell in love with it–I’m a lifer.”

That’s how Ileana Kiriakos describes her love for educating today’s teens and her commitment to Options For Youth (OFY), a network of public charter schools dedicated to reimagining education for students who don’t always fit the traditional mold. But her path to leadership, and the values she champions, are deeply personal.

We sat down with Superintendent Kiriakos to talk about her own educational journey, what makes OFY different, and how she hopes students everywhere learn to see their differences as their superpower.

Finding Belonging Early

“I grew up in the San Bernardino Unified School District and was placed in what was called the ‘B Track’—basically a track for bilingual students,” Ileana explains. “It’s not something we do anymore because state and federal laws required schools to show EL progress, so spreading them out made more sense.”

In that environment, she saw herself reflected in her peers and teachers, and she felt confident exploring who she was. But middle school was a turning point.

“I transferred to a predominantly white magnet school where I was one of only five Hispanic students. It was hard. I had to learn how to be resilient, how to navigate new spaces, how to code-switch.”

That early experience—of belonging, then being pressured to adapt—shaped the leader she would become. 

Superintendent Ileana Kiriakos addresses graduates, reminding them that their unique paths are worth celebrating.

From Second-Grade Dream to A Lifelong Calling

Ileana always wanted to give back to her home district. “In second grade, we had to write a letter to our future selves. I said I wanted to be a teacher for the San Bernardino Unified School District.”

She earned a scholarship from the district, graduated in 2010 with her teaching credential, and even interviewed with the superintendent. But it was the middle of the recession. Hiring freezes and teacher layoffs meant no open positions.

“I needed a job. I saw a listing for OFY and I thought, ‘What is this?’ When I walked in for my interview, I remember thinking, ‘This doesn’t even look like a school.’ I didn’t expect to stay.”

But she did. She started as a math teacher in Fontana at OFY—and fell in love.

“I fell in love with these kids. I didn't realize that my passion was teen years. These kids are just so cool and they're so fun and I think that all they want is love and respect, and if you love them and respect them–you can really go a long way.”

Building Community, Purpose, and Leadership

One defining moment came when Ileana noticed students lacked a sense of connection. So, she started a student council class from scratch.

“It was about giving students purpose and a space to connect. We started with five students. Within six months, we had 35.”

The group did volunteer work at a local food pantry, and one student—a foster youth who had been kicked out of his home—pulled her aside.

“He said, ‘Miss, it feels so good to give. I’m always the one who needs help. It feels good to be the one helping.’”

That moment was transformational—not just for the student, but for Ileana. It reaffirmed her belief that connection and contribution are just as critical to education as academics. And it’s why, to this day, she continues to create spaces and programs where students can actively give back and gain a sense of purpose.

“That was a pivotal moment for me,” Ileana says. “At OFY, we want to give and provide these students with so many resources and so much love—which is so important. But it’s equally important for them to be able to do the same for others. Sometimes we forget about that.”

Safe Spaces for Every Kind of Student

At OFY, creating a safe and welcoming space is a core value.

“We don’t read a student’s file before we meet them. We don’t lead with their past. We treat them as people first. We talk about their dreams, their goals—before any academics begin.”

From how they hire staff to how they build relationships with students, OFY intentionally fosters a culture of respect and representation. To combat what she experienced as a young student with code-switching and navigating new spaces, the schools create a culture where students are seen and heard.

“We call our teachers by their first names. We celebrate expressions—tattoos, purple hair, nose piercings—because we want students to see that professionals can look like them. That success doesn’t have to fit a mold.”

And that starts with who they hire.

“Our interview questions aren’t about test scores. We ask, ‘What kind of relationship do you want with your students?’ ‘What kind of leader are you?’ We’re looking for alignment with our mission to serve people, not just students.”

Ileana cutting the ribbon at the new Options for Youth Public Charter School, San Bernardino center during her time as Principal. 

Redefining Success—One Student at a Time

At OFY, success takes many forms. For some, it’s walking across the graduation stage. For others, it’s landing a first job, mastering a new skill, or finding the confidence to keep going. Whatever the goal, every milestone matters—and every student’s path is worth celebrating.

One student graduated at 16 and went on to become a nurse after losing her boyfriend to gang violence. Another, after struggling and leaving OFY, earned his master's from Harvard and wrote a letter thanking his former teachers for believing in him.

“Success looks different to everyone and so I think that we can't judge success based on what we traditionally think we know as success - a 4-year degree, etc.” Ileana added, “We have barbershop owners, artists, and students who just need to graduate high school. And, that’s enough. That’s success.”

Sometimes, success is about second chances. One student wrote letters from jail to his former teachers. After his release, he came back to OFY, applied for FAFSA with his former teachers’ help, and enrolled in college.

“Our job is to listen, support, and walk beside them—wherever they are. That’s what makes this work so powerful.”

What She Hopes This Campaign—and OFY—Inspires

A vibrant billboard from OFY’s “Own Your Different” campaign shines a spotlight on the power of choice and belonging.

OFY has recently launched a new campaign, “Own Your Different” to celebrate student individuality and break the mold of traditional education. When asked what she hopes the campaign changes in the way people see public education, Ileana doesn’t hesitate:

“Student choice and parent choice matter. Education shouldn’t be one-size-fits-all. We need schools that reflect the diversity of the students they serve..”

She speaks from personal experience as a mom of two. “My 16-year-old thrives in a traditional school—he’s on the football team and he loves it. But not every student fits that mold. If my son, or one day, my four-year-old daughter—needed something different, I’d want them to have choices. That’s why what we do matters so much.”

Her hope for students and families who feel stuck or invisible is simple: 

“I want parents and students who feel different to know that being different can be a gift — and that there are many paths forward. Even if we’re not the perfect fit, what matters most is that every student finds a way to earn their high school diploma and reach their goals. And this is why schools like ours are so important.”

Superintendent Ileana, with the OFY leadership team including Bryan Gillespie, Candice Varner, and Nick Perez, celebrates the achievements of Inland Empire graduates.

Embracing Every Student’s Journey

At its core, OFY—and Ileana’s leadership—is about honoring each student’s unique path. It’s about creating spaces where difference is not only accepted but embraced as a source of strength and possibility.

Through choice, connection, and personalized support, OFY empowers students to embrace their individuality and carve out their own definitions of success. Ileana’s vision reminds us all that education should meet students where they are.

If you or someone you know feels unseen, unheard, or stuck in a traditional system that doesn’t fit, remember: there are many ways to learn, grow, and succeed. At OFY, owning your “different” is celebrated—and every story matters.

To learn more about OFY’s programs or to explore options for your student, visit ofy.org