Meet Héctor
Héctor Camacho is proudly descended from generations of working people whose hands have built, fed, and cared for their communities. Moving to the Bay Area at a young age and raised in a family that valued hard work over recognition, he was the first in his family to graduate from college.
Héctor has served as a paraprofessional, classroom teacher, counselor, and education leader for more than 25 years, working directly with students and families across San Mateo County. He led schoolwide initiatives to strengthen student mental health and wellness, create inclusive learning environments, and expand pathways to college and career. Whether mentoring new teachers or developing innovative curriculum, his work has always centered the needs of students, especially those too often left behind.
He served for 11 years on the San Mateo County Board of Education, representing South San Francisco, San Bruno, and parts of Daly City. Elected to three consecutive terms as Board President, he led efforts to close opportunity gaps and strengthen collaboration across districts. In 2024, Héctor was honored with the prestigious James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award for his work addressing California’s teacher shortage. He currently serves as Executive Director and member of the Superintendent’s Cabinet at the San Mateo County Office of Education.
In every role, Héctor brings people together with a clear focus: building a public education system where all children can thrive. He and his high school sweetheart are raising their two children in South San Francisco, where both attend local public schools, a choice that reflects their family’s deep belief in the power and promise of public education. Being the first County Superintendent in recent memory with children enrolled in public schools would bring a personal and grounded perspective to the office, rooted in both professional expertise and family experience.
Héctor Camacho is is proud product of local public schools. He attended Belle Air Elementary, Parkside Intermediate, and South San Francisco High School. He began his journey in education as a bilingual aide, determined to open doors for the next generation.
Professional Experience
San Mateo County Office of Education
Executive Director
Reach University
Senior Vice President & Dean of Admissions
Saint Francis High School
Teacher, counselor, school administrator
Stanford Graduate School of Education
Mentor teacher
Columbia Middle School
Summer school lead teacher
Sequoia Union High School District
- Cañada Middle College, Teacher and academic advisor
- Menlo-Atherton High School, Teacher and advisor
- Redwood High School, Work experience and community service coordinator
South San Francisco High School,
Bilingual classroom aide, student teacher
Education
Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Master of Arts, Education
Secondary Teaching Credential
The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC
Bachelor of Arts, History
College of San Mateo, San Mateo, CA
Associate of Arts, Liberal Studies
Credentials
- CA Administrative Services Credential
- California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
- CA Single-Subject Teaching Credential
- California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
- Legal and Ethical Specialist
- American School Counselor Association
- College Counseling Certificate
- UC San Diego Extension
Public Service
- San Mateo County Shared Prosperity Council (2025-present), member
- Ravenswood Education Foundation (2024-present), board member
- South San Francisco Library Board (2020-present), chair
- REACH Coalition (2020-present), co-founder and board member
- San Mateo County Board of Education (2014-2025), trustee
- Represented Trustee Area 3 – South San Francisco and San Bruno
- Elected Board president for three consecutive terms (2019-2021)
- Committee service: Budget, Board Policies (chair), Legislative, Educator Recognitions (chair), Superintendent’s Salary (chair), Interdistrict Transfer Appeals (chair), Outdoor Education
- San Mateo County School Boards Association (2014-2025), member
- Executive Board: Immediate Past President (2022-2024), President (2021-2022), Vice President (2018-2020), Communications Chair (2016-2018)
- Committee service: Legislative (2018-2022), Kent Awards Committee (2015-2018, 2022)
- California County Boards of Education (2014-2024), member
- State Vice President (2021-2022)
- Committee service: Conference Planning (2016, 2017, 2022 co-chair), Board Governance Workshop Planning (2016 & 2017)
- Stanford Graduate School of Education Inclusion Council (2021-2023), member
- College of San Mateo Project Change Advisory Council (2021-2023), member
- California Democratic Party (2021-2022), elected delegate (AD22)
- San Mateo County COVID-19 Equity Recovery Group (2020-2021), member
Hector Camacho for County Superintendent 