I’m Fernando Lucas de Urioste, and I’m excited to be running for the District 8 seat on your Austin Independent School District School Board. I’m running because I believe that every student in our district deserves the best possible education, and I know that my experience working in and with public schools can help make that happen. I’m not just another candidate—I’m a passionate advocate for Austin's students, families, and teachers, ready to make a real difference in our district.
Hi
For the last two decades, I’ve dedicated myself to helping students succeed.
My journey began right here in Austin as a substitute teacher. After discovering my gift for working with students with special needs, I became a paraprofessional and then a teacher for middle school students on the autism spectrum and with emotional dysregulation. By working closely with students, families, and teachers to create individualized education plans and build supportive learning environments for students with a wide variety of abilities, I have helped many students meet their goals and experienced firsthand how collaboration and the right resources can change children’s lives.
Now as the Director of Advocate Services at Cirkiel Law Group, I manage and serve on a team of advocates who work tirelessly to support students and families across the state of Texas in order to ensure equal access to their Free and Appropriate Public Education. I have helped hundreds of families navigate complex administrative situations to secure the educational support their children need. Being an advocate has deepened my understanding of the challenges within the education system—not just in Austin, but statewide. As Vice President of the Texas Organization of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, I've gained a unique insight into the legal and legislative side of education. I have trained parents across the state to better understand the critical intersection of education regulations to become better education advocates for themselves. I understand how regulatory changes affect students, families, and school staff, and have been a strong voice in fighting for policies to ensure every child receives the education they’re entitled to.
Living in Austin since 1996, and in East Austin for the past 10 years, I’m deeply invested in the future of our community. When I’m not working, I am spending time with my wife, Rachel Stone, a long standing advocate for social justice who has been working to build affordable housing in East Austin with the Guadalupe Neighborhood Development Corporation since 2018. We enjoy yoga, biking, and making music—activities that keep us grounded and connected to the vibrant life of our city.
I’ve fought in the trenches for families, worked alongside teachers, and collaborated with administrators to solve problems. I understand the complexities of our education system and the impact that good policies and practices can have on student success, safety and well-being. I'm ready to bring my experience, my passion, and my commitment to build a brighter future for our children.
Join us today in making AISD a more progressive place for all Austin families.
Support my campaign for AISD Board of Trustees
“Public education is supposed to center its efforts on the premise of providing a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for all students. I know Fernando very well, and I know that he understands what FAPE is and what it should look like in any classroom, at any school campus, in any school district.
He is a relentless advocate for students and their families, and he has spent his entire career proving that at every level. His belief in a fair and equitable system goes beyond policies and procedures and cuts to what students need and what their families need in order to help their children. That's what he will stand and fight for, I assure you. He has extraordinary abilities in sifting out what's not working and in providing solutions that do. Fernando has spent many years making sure that putting the needs of the students and their families first is job #1. His experience and success in advocating for special needs students is exemplary. His knowledge of the laws governing IDEA and how to best implement them are exceptional and have helped so many students overcome the difficult challenges of being different in a system that refuses to acknowledge the difference. I know this because he helped our son and without Fernando, I don't know what would have become of our son. Currently, AISD could use somebody on the School Board With extensive knowledge of Special Education laws and a mountain of experience in ensuring that every student that they encountered was not left behind. Fernando is a great guy and a world-class human being that AISD could really use on their team. Thanks, Fernando, for all you do and good luck, we need you.”
Joe Hanson, Father of a previous student