First things first, what role does coffee play in your life as a parent and educator?

Coffee plays a HUGE role in my life! As the mother of four children (Jillian 9, Jossilyn 6, Luke and Laurie 3), teacher, school leadership team, mentor teacher, volleyball coach, Girl Scout Troop leader, wife, and friend, I need coffee to keep up! There’s nothing like the first sip; it literally warms my soul. I always say my favorite gifts are Starbucks gift cards in $25 increments!

Let’s start with you sharing a bit about how you grew up and how you ended up in The Land of Enchantment.

My father was in the U.S. Army so we were stationed all over the country. As a result, I grew up a proud Army brat. We were stationed last at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs where I attended Widefield High School. I came to New Mexico to attend New Mexico Highlands in Las Vegas because of their school of education and volleyball program. I played four years of volleyball and earned my BA in Elementary Education and MA in Curriculum and Instruction from NMHU. I fell in love with New Mexico’s culturally diverse people, rich history, and food! Finally, when I met and married a native New Mexican, I realized I was here to stay. I’m proud to live here and raise my children in this beautiful state.

What got you into teaching in the first place? And what’s kept you in the field?

I struggled with dyslexia as a young learner and it wasn’t until middle school that I truly felt success as a student. My middle school Language Arts teacher made a personal connection and investment in my life. She taught me to use my strengths and my weaknesses to my advantage-and how to overcome my adversities through perseverance. Ms. Parker engaged me through curiosity, intrigue, and relating content to my everyday life. She made me feel empowered through knowledge regardless of my struggles or adversities.

That same year, Mr. Tuggle became my science teacher and personal version of Yoda! He instilled in me a passion for science that’s guided me until this day. He presented science in a way that I could understand. I knew at that point I wanted to be a teacher.

I wanted to be just like my role models: engaging, connected, and passionate. I wanted to do for others what these fine professionals had done for me. I wanted to open the minds of my students by creating personal connections and engaging each student as an individual person and learner. After 12 years in the classroom, I still cry on the last day of school and look down the hall on the first day of school searching for the faces of students that have all touched my life!

I am truly passionate about science education and empowering all learners through science content. The New Mexico STEM Ready science standards are elevating science education in New Mexico and I can’t wait to help graduate more students who will pursue science careers in New Mexico. This passion and dedication to science is what keeps me drinking coffee and working on making myself the best science teacher I can be.

What did growing up with dyslexia teach you about being an educator and working with students who have unique needs?

Growing up with dyslexia was frustrating. I didn’t process information like everyone else around me, yet I felt I was expected to learn just like them. Over time I learned to embrace the fact that all people have strengths and weaknesses and that differences not only make us unique, but also valuable.

I have built my testimony through a variety of challenges, failures, and successes, developing into a better, more empathetic person for understanding struggling students as well as accelerated learners. So while I can identify with the struggling learner, I also relate to the gifted and talented learner who’s academic differences mirror my own as a twice-exceptional learner. My personal need for rigor may have been just as strong a need as my journey through adapting to dyslexia was.

Based on my experiences growing up, I decided I wanted to help all students learn science within their diverse and unique exceptions. Teaching in differentiated ways builds a community for learning that makes relatable connections for all students. My focus may be on the content and its alignment to standards, but my delivery and approach are attempts at creating success for all learners. I want my students to find ways to use their strengths and weaknesses to their advantage to achieve their goals in life.

What’s it been like in the time since you were announced as New Mexico’s 2019 Teacher of the Year?

Since being announced as New Mexico’s 2019 Teacher of the Year I haven’t had the opportunity to catch my breath! The excitement of the upcoming year and the knowledge that I will obtain is just baffling. I have really enjoyed all the congratulatory emails and phone calls but quite frankly I am still in shock.

What does it mean to be New Mexico’s 55th ever TOY and what do you hope to learn and accomplish during your yearlong tenure as TOY?

Wow, what an honor it is to be New Mexico’s 55th ever Teacher of the Year. For me, it means that hard work and dedication to my students and this profession has led to greater things than I ever thought possible.

As NMTOY I want to continue advocating and empowering teachers through collaboration and knowledge. Being an active member of the Teacher Leader Network has provided me with the opportunity to work with some of the top teacher professionals in the state. This professional connection has equipped me with knowledge and confidence to return to my school and district informed on policy, teacher evaluations, data, and best practices. Teachers want accountability and sustainability and I am proud of the path education is taking in New Mexico.

I think it is absolutely vital that we stay the course of clarity, building meaningful professional relationships and sharing knowledge. As NMTOY I want to focus on being an agent of change by stepping up and staying involved to make positive gains in education for teachers and students. Over the course of the next year my goal is to grow as a professional and continue finding new ways to help grow and prosper education in New Mexico. I am truly honored to be an ambassador for this honorable profession.

Education in New Mexico can be a contentious topic, so let’s end on that note. Red or Green?

Christmas! I love red AND green chile. When ordering enchiladas I order Christmas with a fried egg. Why have one when you can have both?!

Similar to my family, you’re a Norteño by nature. Share more about growing up in Española and what brought you to become a teacher.

My siblings and I were largely the only White students in classes growing up in the valley. I had some really great teachers there, but also some who would be rated ineffective. Poverty was prevalent for my family as well as the majority of the community, yet four of five in my family have received a Master’s degree or above. Those formative years are challenging to discuss as so many of my classmates in elementary and middle school were making decisions that had negative long-term effects on their lives. I work hard to reverse that trend in my classroom, my district, and at the state level.

You penned an op-ed that touched on how you incorporate student learning data into your practice. What brought you to write that piece and what was the reaction like?

I am troubled by people that disregard data and accountability. This is not to say they are one and the same, however as a teacher you have to see how your students are progressing academically and what needs adjustment. The reaction was positive from most of the people I know, and I had highly opinionated responses by those that believe the data is skewed and inconsistent. The data collection is not perfect, but knowing how my students are doing is essential in how I help them grow as learners.

What are some of the similarities and differences you’ve seen between Española up north and Las Cruces down south? What stands out?

I will adjust this question to: “How did high school at Goddard HS in Roswell differ from my early childhood education?” In Española I had some great teachers that differentiated instruction, but the overall expectations for student success were lower than when we moved to Roswell. I was a top student in EVMS and rarely studied, which became my downfall when I took high school courses and then in college. I never really learned how to deal with time management and effective ways to study until I figured some of those out in the military and from my eventual wife, who grew up in Los Alamos and had a vastly different educational experience.

You lead a couple of Advanced Placement (AP) courses at Centennial High School. For those who might be unfamiliar, what is AP and why is it important?

Advanced Placement is a high school course that also allows for students to take an exam in May (talk about high stakes) for college credit. The classes are rigorous and statistics show that students who take these courses, even if they don’t pass the exam, do considerably better in college than students who do not. I started teaching and thought I was pretty good until I started working on my Master’s, then realized I knew nothing. After attaining my Master’s, I, again, thought I was pretty good. I then attended AP institutes and again realized I had so much to learn. AP training and skills have helped me immeasurably in improving my craft as a teacher, and as a result has paid great dividends for my students. The high demands of reading, writing, and critical thinking in AP English courses are the level of expectations we should have for all students, not just the students who are “good” at school. These expectations and demands are what we have for extra-curricular activities, so why do we not have the same academically?

As someone who grew up playing sports, what are some of the overlaps and correlations you see between athletic and academic pursuits in schools?

Unfortunately in our world today the “student-athlete” is largely focused on the right side of that dash. The balance is focused on opportunities for college through athletic scholarships instead of academic. If students and families in New Mexico invested the amount of time in academics like they do in athletics our state educational system would be considerably stronger. It used to be that a season lasted on average three months, however today, with club level teams and travel, it has shifted to year-round and has thrown the balance of student-athlete out of proportion. Unfortunately the pyramid scheme of becoming a professional athlete and the big money outweigh the reality for the vast majority of our student-athletes. We have very few athletes like Alex Bregman or Brian Urlacher in New Mexico, as they are generational players. How many others have lost opportunities to advance educationally due to misguided athletic pursuits?

You’re a proud military veteran. Tell us more about that and what brought you to that work. How has being a veteran impacted your education paradigm and approach?

In high school I was going to be one of those professional athletes, and flunked out of college. Fortunately, I played for team Uncle Sam for four years in the USAF and developed the discipline and confidence I lacked in my first college attempt. I was not going to be successful in college out of high school, but had great experiences while in the Air Force that reshaped who I was and how I thought. I lived in England for two years, before spending time in Germany, Japan, and finishing my tour at Norton Air Force base in San Bernardino, California. The 0.0 GPA of my first college attempt shifted to the upper 3 range when I graduated in 1997. Clearly I had the intellectual capacity, but there is so much more to being a successful student. These include discipline and confidence, which team sports profess to build, don’t translate from the playing surface to the academic classroom. This has largely shaped my approach to teaching. I coach reading, writing, and critical thinking. Sometimes you have to tear apart all that you know to build the new you.

This is an extremely controversial topic: who makes the best New Mexican cuisine, Northern or Southern New Mexico?

As controversy seems to be an integral part of being a citizen of our great country today, I will have to side with Southern New Mexico. I live down here! And I will also commit to green over red!

Tell readers where you are from and how you ended up in New Mexico and as a teacher.

I am originally from Pennsylvania and then Arizona where we moved when I was 12 years old. My husband, fours kids, and I came to Santa Fe 17 years ago because we love Northern New Mexico. I began teaching when I took a part time job in college and worked for the Campus Children’s Center attached to ASU. I fell in love with figuring out what motivated each student and how much fun working with little kids could be.

New Mexico spends a lot of time and energy on early childhood efforts. As an experienced pre-k educator, how do you think of the importance of expanding access to pre-k for more students?

I believe that high-quality pre-k is the most important thing we can do to ensure higher graduation and literacy rates. More importantly, it builds resiliency skills for students to be able to handle what life and school will throw at them. But, and this is a big but, it has to be pre-k that has highly qualified teachers, along with curriculum, professional development, training, and some way to measure progress that is agreed upon by all – districts, HeadStart, PED and CYFD included.

We need to expand access for all four-year-olds and eventually three-year-olds, but it is complicated. Many elementary schools don’t have the physical space to add a pre-k. According to ECERS (Early Childhood Environmental Ratings Scale), the space requirements for pre-k are very specific. Little kids need lots of room. This is not just a matter of more money, doing it right is just as important.

From your experience, what are the best ways for parents and families to support their young learners as they begin pre-k? Are there any common misconceptions you’d love to see addressed?

Research shows that fostering vocabulary in young children is the most important jumpstart you can give kids. Every parent can use new vocabulary in everyday interactions. Add in new words that are defined by the surrounding conversation. Expressly help little ones say the new words and use them, using facial expressions to help with meaning. Sing and rhyme with children, as that teaches phonemic awareness. Keep conversations going with kids so they learn to ask questions and share ideas. Parents have to read with their child. I know every parent is crazy busy, but a 32-page picture book takes 10 minutes and is time with a child that is like no other.

I see two common misconceptions that some parents have about early learning opportunities. First, every preschool does not have to follow state guidelines or NAEYC guidelines for that matter. Parents need to find the best options for their children. It is a personal fit for their family, but parents must remember to ask questions about curriculum and staff qualifications. As a state, we need to make sure we are providing quality pre-k options wherever possible.

The second misconception is that pre-k is just play! Preschool is serious work. We are setting the foundations for lifelong learners. Literacy, math, STEAM, culture, community, and a social/emotional curriculum to foster resilience are practiced daily. And we do it under the guise of fun and play. Mr. Rogers said that “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.”

You recently penned an op-ed in the Santa Fe New Mexican providing advice to both candidates for governor of New Mexico. Can you share more about what brought you to write that piece and about the reactions you’ve received?

The reactions I received to my opinion piece have been really positive from teachers and families of my students. I wrote in a “final straw” type of moment when you can’t keep your mouth shut any longer.

As I read the article in the Santa Fe New Mexican that showed the candidates’ talking points on education, I almost lost my mind. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Every time I go to a Legislative Education Study Committee (LESC) meeting where there is public input, I hear teachers’ unions saying they speak for me, but they have never asked my opinion. I want the candidates for governor to know I am here, along with many teachers like me. I want them to take a deep dive into information, not politics. I want the reforms and leadership at PED to evolve and grow.

I feel we are riding an incredible wave of teacher education and support in the last few years. When I joined the New Mexico Teacher Leader Network, I had no idea what I was getting into. I really just wanted to complain. But, from the beginning, this group, led by PED representatives, countered my complaints with information I had never heard before. They have explained why teachers and schools must be measured with high standards and have great teaching celebrated. Elevating the education profession in New Mexico benefits teachers while empowered teachers and listening to their ideas benefits students.

Please share a bit about how you incorporate data tracking and analysis in your teaching practice.

In pre-k we use the Early Childhood Observation Tool (ECOT) which is mandated by the state. Teachers “observe” students to complete the assessment. When I used the assessment I would find that what I observed was not always correct. Observing a student at play or at centers can lead to misconceptions about what they can do in terms of concrete math and literacy concepts. Can this child really count to ten unless you specifically ask them to do it and see it? It is important to directly assess students to know what they know. It is not torture for the kids, they love showing adults how smart they are. It can be done through directly interacting and playing with children.

I believe in data. Not just one point of data, but multiple points of information that track growth for students. PARCC is another helpful measure of progress. Schools also use EOC’s (end of course exams) and iStation data. As a state we must track students’ progress as compared to other students statewide to see how we are doing. Evaluations need to be standardized in some way. It is not to penalize teachers and schools, but rather to know definitively if every child in the state is getting the education they deserve.

Now, as a teacher, what we do with information from assessments is up to us. Use what you know about standardized testing in your instruction. You can prepare and motivate students to do well. You can support them to better understand what evaluations mean and their place in their education without ruining their fun or love of what you are teaching. Plus, the data is valuable to you as a teacher to reflect on your practice. How do you grow as a teacher unless you can objectively see that you are impacting student learning? It may not be your only measure, but it has to be one of them to be honest with yourself.

PARCC has been around for almost five years and changing it for a different “beast” would waste the information we have gathered so far and cost money that should go into teacher salaries. PARCC is also aligned with SAT/ACT which no one seems to have a problem with students taking. Some say we should develop our own assessment. Most states that do that still buy significant components from Pearson and other companies. At 49th, based on NAEP which we should focus on, we don’t have time to reinvent essentially the same wheel.

Lastly, and crucially, red or green?

Definitely green! It is not fall until you can smell green chiles roasting as you drive down Cerrillos in Santa Fe.

Cobre New Mexico is nestled in the southwest corner of the state. Tell us a bit about Cobre and why folks should visit. And how is the coffee there?

This question is always interesting. I am often asked where Cobre is, but Cobre is not a town. The term Cobre is the Spanish term for “copper”, through which our name is derived in support of the local mining industry. Cobre is the school district, which encompasses the neighboring towns of Hurley, Bayard, Santa Clara, and Mimbres area.

Cobre High School is located in Bayard, NM. We are about 20 miles southwest of Silver City. But, just to clarify, we are not Silver City. Our area is widespread and there are a lot of outdoor activities, such as hiking, fishing, camping and a few good hometown restaurants. All of these are part of Grant County. We have the Tour of the Gila in May and The Blues Festival in May as well. We also have the Wild Wild West Pro Rodeo in June. There are many other activities through Western New Mexico University (WNMU) or the Mimbres Regional Arts Council. We are also simply a great getaway area to relax.

Funny enough, I don’t drink coffee, unless I’m at a meeting and didn’t sleep much the night before. I am more of a tea person; homemade iced tea, all day every day.

You’ve been working in education for quite a long time. Please share a bit about what brings you to the work you do and your journey here.

I actually graduated from Cobre High School in 1981. When I was in high school the guidance counselor called me in and asked about my future plans. I expressed an interest in medicine and she quickly asked what my father did. I replied that he worked for the local mine and she suggested that I should do the same. Needless to say, I didn’t.

College was always an expectation in my family. While I had originally planned to leave the area, I decided to attend WNMU. While there, an advisor asked if I have ever considered being a teacher. I still needed to select a minor and decided to go for a double major instead. I graduated from WNMU in 1986 with a BA in Education and BS in Zoology.

While doing my student teaching I was mentored by an excellent former high school teacher. In fact, many of my previous teachers were there as mentors. My teaching career took off from there. I had a principal one year that told me he was not going to allow me to be a bystander. He told me that the next school year I would become the department chairperson. I mention this because it often takes those people in our life to push us to do more.

That brings me to the present. I have been in education for 32 years now; 15 in the classroom and 17 in my present position as a guidance counselor. I still love what I do, and I always say my goal is that each day I can get really good at my job. Joking aside, isn’t that what education is all about? We have to improve and stay current, because we are trying to get our kids prepared for their future. If we don’t know what is out there – and what we need to do – how can we really prepare them?

You are currently taking on several roles at Cobre High School. What does a typical day for you look like? What are your greatest aspirations for the school?

My typical day is never typical. While I always have lists and plans, I don’t always accomplish them in the order that I intend. I am not a morning person but school starts at 8am sharp for me. Usually as soon as I enter my office, there are either students, parents, or teachers waiting with a question or concern. So typical, for me, means trying to maneuver the day to get tasks done.

I do a lot of computer and data work as our office is responsible for the majority of the data entry. I also love to visit classrooms as that brings me back to teaching. I take time to visit each grade level and discuss careers, success, plans and any other areas students may have questions. I visit with seniors often in reference to their exams, college, career and simply preparing for their future. Sometimes I am invited to visit elementary classrooms, which are always amazing and eye opening.

My highest aspiration is that all our students succeed. I know that may sound cliche, but I get the greatest joy when I visit with students after they graduate and hear all the great things they are doing, have done, or plan to do. I want them to be able to say that they received a strong foundation in education so that they can do anything. Some of my favorite conversations are when a previous student says, “Thank you, for all we did in school. I should have listened more.” I want them to realize those things earlier but we always have to keep trying.

Over the past decade high schools have begun to focus more on college and career readiness. What has this looked like at Cobre High and what impacts have you seen for students after graduation?

I know that college and career readiness centers in large part around instruction. Thankfully, our school district is very open to professional development and encourages teachers to find something that works and helps them. I wish more educators, especially at the high school level would take advantage of these opportunities.

I also see that assessment is always an issue and concern, but I strongly support assessments. I often ask students, “How are we going to know whether you are learning and how are we going to find out areas that we need to improve?” Assessment and the use of the data is vital for understanding our needs.

With that also comes accountability and, hence, teacher evaluation. I think the evaluation is a true tool for improvement. I remember old fashioned, subjective evaluation, which for me was always discouraging. Not because I received poor ratings, but because I knew that some teachers down the hall received the same rating as I did and weren’t putting in the same effort.

I always want to know where and how to improve. Unfortunately the old evaluation system forced me and many others to rely on self-evaluation and self-imposed standards.

Speaking of evaluation, recently it was announced that New Mexico has more highly effective and exemplary teachers (according to NMTeach) than ever before. What has been your experience with our teacher evaluation system? What works well in your eyes and what needs to tweaking?

I am truly happy to see that there are more effective teachers. It shows that teachers are teaching and working to ensure that students are learning with rigor and critical thinking. While many of my peers might not a agree, I think effective is a good starting point. As teachers develop, gather training, and gain experience, they should definitely strive to become highly effective and exemplary.

Now if you are there already, that is great. I truly hope that those teachers will mentor other struggling teachers and even those that are effective. If we have the knowledge shouldn’t it be shared? As a professional community, teachers have to be the voice and help each other grow. We teach students but we forget to teach each other. Is it because for so many years we have not been given a voice? Well this current administration at the NMPED is telling teachers, “You have a voice, use it to make your profession stronger.”

I have been lucky enough to have training through the New Mexico Teacher Leader Network, NMTEACH and other professional development opportunities. I wish more teachers could receive this training, especially the NMTEACH Training. It makes sense to train teachers in what we are evaluated about. This is a missing part in teacher evaluation. Policy makers all too often forget that training is needed, because reading the manual isn’t enough.

I also feel the evaluation system is important to let students, parents, and the community know that teachers are really trying and working for improvement. We want the to know that there is quality and rigor, and those are the norm, not exceptions to the rule.

Lastly, for those who make it down to Cobre, would they find you eating more green or red chile?

That is probably the hardest question! To me Green is just the chili that can be put on anything, and Red is a sauce. My mom’s Red is AMAZING. I will go with my mom: Red!

As a mother of three, what are you most excited about for this upcoming school year? And what role does coffee play in your life?

I must start each morning with a cup of coffee and extra vanilla creamer. That’s my “you got this” start to the day.

This year means lots of firsts and lasts for my children. My son just began his final year in middle school as an eighth grader and my youngest has started her adventure in pre-k. What has remained consistent are the talks with all of my children about our expectations of them regarding effort and attitude.

We have reached the point with my two oldest where they lead the conversation about their goals and dreams. They have an understanding about their personal role in reaching their goals. Because of my work, they also understand how their teachers are partners in their education. I even talk with them about accountability for each party in their educational partnership, so they get it.

Tell us a bit about your background and what inspired you to become a teacher in the first place.

I grew up like many children in New Mexico. My family was poorer, but consisted of hard working people. I was the first in my family to graduate high school with honors and the first to receive a bachelor’s and eventually a master’s degree.

I always wanted to teach in my community. It was important to me that children with similar backgrounds had a teacher who understood their circumstances, but didn’t allow that to be their excuse. I had to push them to be better than they thought they could be, because they deserve futures with limitless opportunities.

As you think about the race for governor this year, what do you wish both candidates knew as we get closer to the big election day in November?

Education is very important to all New Mexicans and I think both candidates understand this. I would like both of them to fully understand the potential of our youth. We have to offer our children more; we have to help them become better than we are.

In order to do this, we need to challenge them to learn skills and strategies that will prepare them for college and careers. As a student, my teachers never talked to me about college, so I didn’t understand my potential. We must work to realize the potential of our diverse population and treat it as an opportunity, not a deficit. Our state leaders need to know where “we” as a state are overall and use that information to guide challenging decisions.

A large part of your current role is encouraging and sharing a diversity of teacher voices. What have you learned through these efforts and what advice do you have for teachers who would like to speak up but maybe haven’t yet?

I have learned that many teachers want to use their voice and be partners to improve education. The challenge is, many teachers don’t know who to talk to or don’t feel as if they know enough to get involved. The good news is, teachers don’t have to be the expert in everything; in fact, most education folks aren’t.

Teachers offer a unique perspective that only classroom educators can provide. They are the ones actually implementing state, district, and school policies. My advice to teachers wanting to get more involved is to research the topic they want to talk about to help them become informed. They also need to suggest possible solutions to challenges they raise. It is easy for anyone to put a spotlight on a problem, but solutions are what move us forward.

Speaking of families, we know how important that support is for students. What do you say to families about the best ways to support both their students and teachers to encourage a strong working relationship?

Family support is really important for student success. I know parents are very busy. It is always great when parents can read at home or ask math questions in the car. However, the best way they can support is simply by bringing their students to school everyday. Attendance is a big factor in student success.

Beyond that parents should try their best to engage in communication with teachers so they can be a strong team. Communication and involvement looks different depending on the family situation, but it is important that an effort is made to communicate as much as possible. We are in the age of communication and that is key in supporting a child’s success.

What’s next for Teach Plus New Mexico?

We have exciting opportunities for teachers to engage in. We will be recruiting for our third policy cohort in October to launch in January. We will also offer opportunities to teachers outside of our Policy Fellowship who want to have an opportunity to use their voice. We will continue to provide high quality training to teachers in policy, advocacy, and research, and will also support teachers in building relationships and using their voice to offer recommendations to specific policy topics to enhance our profession. And above all, we will continue to work toward ensuring a high-quality, equitable education for our students.

What gives you the most hope as you look at public education across New Mexico? Where do you find optimism to keep up the good, hard work?

I have seen a shift in the culture of education. I have come across many teachers who are not only great classroom teachers, but they are ready to get involved in policy. I am excited that state legislators are now talking more with actual classroom teachers.

As a parent, I’m excited that the mindset of my children is focused on grit. This is going to help them throughout their educational career and beyond. I think of the possibilities for other children with the same mindset. As a teacher, I always loved looking at data. I’m excited about our state data and those pockets of excellence throughout our state. I am hopeful that these pockets will continue to grow. The most exciting thing of all is understanding the high standards we hold for our students and knowing that more and more students are rising each year. I know firsthand how education can be life-changing and hope that many more of our students have more opportunities as a result.

And, our most controversial topic of all, red or green?

I really hate to answer this one; I actually don’t like chile. It’s not the chile, it’s me …

A new school year has just started, what are you most excited about for the 2018-19 school year? And what role does coffee play in your teacher universe?

I spend a lot of the summer thinking about ways to improve my instruction for the next year, so I am always excited for the school year to start. My current third grade students are students that I taught in first and second grade so it’s really exciting to see how far I can push them in math. They are some of the most hard working students I have ever taught and have really excelled in math because of the skills they have built since first grade.

Coffee is very essential to me having high energy for my students! I will often drink coffee before school and again in the middle of the day so I can keep up with my students all day.

You were recently featured in a #NMTrue video series highlighting teachers from across New Mexico. Tell us more about that experience and what you’ve learned.

The #NMTrue video was a lot of fun to shoot. I was intimidated at first, but I felt better when I was in my classroom teaching. I think it was a great opportunity for me to use my voice and also show some of the great aspects of my school. I learned that positivity in education goes a long way. I also learned that using my voice starts a great dialogue around some of the biggest teaching challenges.

This video highlights Julia Burrola – a 2nd and 3rd grade math teacher at Mission, Achievement and Success Charter School in Albuquerque.

Both of us are products of Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) – and UNM. As you start your sixth year of teaching, what do you know now about being a teacher in Albuquerque that you wish you would’ve known as a student?

I had really positive experiences as a student in APS. I think I was fortunate to attend really good schools and had some great teachers. I don’t think I always knew the struggles in other schools in APS. I remember being surprised when I first started college because many students from other schools struggled a lot more than I did.

UNM was also a really good experience for me. Tom Keyes was essential in me becoming a reflective teacher and my cohort was full of creative thinkers with great ideas. I wish I would have known the amount of work that it took for my teachers to be effective. I wish I would have known how fortunate I was to have skilled teachers who prepared me well for college. I would have appreciated my great teachers even more.

Tell us a bit about your family and the role they’ve played in growing up in Albuquerque and your decision to become a teacher.

When I was little I remember everyone in my family valuing education. I specifically remember my Grandma Veronica always putting a huge emphasis on education. She was forced to drop out of school in the 2nd grade to care for her nieces and nephews, which lead her to value educational opportunities for her family even more.

I believe that the value my family placed on school helped me see that education is essential in building a life. My family has always supported me being a teacher. I always knew that I wanted to teach and my family has always been my biggest support system.

I have a lot of pride in Albuquerque. It is a beautiful place to live. I am excited to work at a school that is part of a positive change in our city. Albuquerque has always had areas that are underserved and I have always wanted to teach in those areas because I know those students can be successful. I want to give all students the same opportunity that my family gave me.

Speaking of families, we know how important that support is for students. What do you say to families about the best ways to support both their students and teachers to encourage a strong working relationship?

Family support is really important for student success. I know parents are very busy. It is always great when parents can read at home or ask math questions in the car. However, the best way they can support is simply by bringing their students to school everyday. Attendance is a big factor in student success.

Beyond that parents should try their best to engage in communication with teachers so they can be a strong team. Communication and involvement looks different depending on the family situation, but it is important that an effort is made to communicate as much as possible. We are in the age of communication and that is key in supporting a child’s success.

You’ve shared your support for PARCC and concern about New Mexico getting rid of it without having a viable alternative in place. (Which is supported by recent historical evidence). What do you say to those clamoring to throw the assessment we’ve had for five years out the window?

PARCC is one of the best assessments because the types of questions are rigorous and require students to think deeply. I think any assessment would have critics. Honestly, many of the most common complaints about PARCC would be true with any assessment, and an assessment is not only required by Federal law via ESSA, but it is also essential in ensuring equity for our students.

As a teacher I am thankful to have high-quality comparative data. NMPED has made many improvements to PARCC in the last few years based on feedback from teachers; a new assessment would mean starting this process from the beginning again. Consistency is valuable.

I also think it is really important for teachers and other concerned people to voice their concerns and solutions to the correct people. For example, the number of days spent testing is a district’s choice. If someone is concerned about loss of instructional time, they should talk to their testing coordinator and discuss ways to limit the days spent on the test.

Red or green?

I love red chile if my mom or dad makes it; otherwise green because you can easily put it on anything!

We are about to start a new school year, which always filled me with both excitement and anxiety. How are you preparing for the new school year? And how does coffee figure into your teacher routine — a cup a day, a gallon, not at all?

I absolutely love the beginning of the school year. I like to prepare by cleaning my classroom and making sure my bulletin boards are blank and ready for students to post their best work. I love working in my classroom with the anticipation of the school year ahead. There is a smell that school has in August; a mixture of confidence in new outfits, freshly waxed floors, and textbooks waiting to be checked out with just a hint of my favorite coffee: Guatemala Roast from Michael Thomas Coffee in Albuquerque. So important to buy local. And only a cup a day for me, I’m already way too excited about school!

You are about halfway through your tenure as New Mexico’s 2018 Teacher of the Year. What has been most surprising about the experience so far and what do you hope to accomplish in your remaining time with the esteemed honor?

This year has been an incredible honor. I have grown so much as a teacher and a person. The most surprising part of this year has been having the chance to find my voice as a teacher leader in our state. There is so much work to be done and with the remainder of the year I plan on keeping on advocating for teacher leadership and voice in our state to be elevated, particularly as we head into the election in November. I am advocating for diverse teacher recruitment and retainment and the continuation of systems that work and treat teachers in our state like the professionals that we are. New Mexico State Teachers of the Year are also creating a chapter that will allow all of us to be readily available resources to our state and its educational needs.

2018 New Mexico Teacher of the Year Ivonne Orozco recalls the lessons she learned from her high school running coach, who was incredibly devoted to helping her and bringing out the best in her. As a result, Orozco has carried that forward in her teaching.

You’ve talked about your family a good bit and how much of an influence they’ve had on you. What would you say to families about the best ways to support both their students and teachers to work towards a strong working relationship?

The best ways to support children are to realize they are people with input and say, we should listen to what students have to say in order to meet their needs. The same goes for teachers, in order to support everything that goes on in school families must communicate with teachers and allow the working relationship of a team to flourish.

We are both proud Lobos! While I did not study Education as an undergraduate, you did. As a relatively recent multiple time graduate of the University of New Mexico, what are some of the highlights and missing aspects of the training and preparation you received? What has helped your practice most and what could use some updating?

I am so proud of being a University of New Mexico alumni. UNM opened opportunities for me and allowed me to learn so much about myself and become the teacher I am today. The biggest highlight for me is my recent completion of an MA in Education through MARP (Master of Arts in Reflective Practice), a cohort program of current in-service teachers who focus on learning through action research in their own classrooms. This program truly saved me as a teacher. Two years ago I was seriously considering leaving the classroom – I felt isolated and thought teaching may not be for me. MARP allowed me to focus back on what matters most: My students.

Not only did I learn to observe my own practice and take action to make changes in my own teaching, I also learned the fundamentals of social justice in education and the way my practice is responsible for ensuring equity in the lives of students through education. If there was something missing in my BA preparation as a teacher, it was the understanding of inequity and my role in creating change. However, during my BA preparation I thoroughly enjoyed my student teaching experience in which I worked with Natalie Figueroa (Volcano Vista High School). She really understood the power of her mentorship and worked really hard to assure I was ready to hit the ground running once I was in my own classroom.

But there is work to be done, coordinating teachers (those mentoring student teachers) should be recognized for their work not only through Domain 4 of NMTEACH but through financial compensation for their work. We are professionals and deserve to be acknowledged as such, through fair pay for the work we do, particularly mentoring future teachers.

What’s the one change in New Mexico education that’s the most needed or would have the biggest impact?

The one change that I believe would make the biggest impact would be to provide professional development that reflects the diverse needs of our communities. I believe that New Mexico is headed in the right direction through NMPED’s Teacher Leader Network (NMTLN).

They truly believe the power of change begins in the classroom with the teacher. In hopes of supporting teachers NMPED has offered an abundance of professional development covering a wide range of topics surrounding education, and helped to develop teacher created resources to enhance instructional methods and teaching practices.

New Mexico is in the midst of a Governor’s race where education is getting a lot of attention. Politics aside (though sometimes that seems impossible, I admit), what do you want both candidates to know? What considerations would you like to see? And what, if any, questions or suggestions do you have for both?

I want candidates to know that all schools in New Mexico are working hard to provide our communities with what they need. All schools in New Mexico need resources to support students. The best thing each candidate can do is get out on the field and get to know administrators, teachers and students and hear from us about what we need and the way they can support our systems and therefore the future of our state.

I also strongly advice for each candidate to seek meetings with teacher leaders in our state, including the New Mexico Teachers of the Year Chapter. Because, while I never pretend to have all the right answers or questions, I know that, collectively, all teachers in our state do.

Lastly, and crucially, red or green?

Green all the way. I cannot wait for the Autumn roast.

In looking at your background, you’ve taught for half a decade now. Teachers are notorious coffee drinkers to fuel them through those long school days. Has teaching made you a coffee drinker? Favorite coffee?

Yes, being a teacher has turned me into a monster coffee drinker. To be honest, I’m very spoiled because I never have to make my own cup of coffee. No matter the brand or roast, as long as my husband makes it, I’m good!

You became somewhat of a local celebrity via a #NMTrue video that came out in February. Can you talk about that experience and what it’s meant for you, your school, and community?

It was an amazing experience, not just for me, but for my students too. The students were fascinated with the production crew and cameras; they too felt like celebrities. More importantly, it gave exposure to Shiprock and the experience of teaching on the reservation with Navajo students. As a state that has twenty-three recognized Indian tribes, it’s crucial that future and current educators have diverse perspectives of students from across the state.

And I think the #NMTrue video is a great idea for teacher recruitment, and am appreciative to have participated in such a unique opportunity. I look forward to the upcoming videos!

New Mexico Continues to Equip, Empower, & Champion Teachers Statewide via Teacher Recruitment & Teacher-Leadership Efforts. For more information, visit http://webnew.ped.state.nm.us

As a proud Diné tribal member, what does it mean to be a Native teacher working with Native students in a state that has some of the most alarming outcomes for Native peoples?

There needs to be a stronger systematic approach to addressing the unique challenges facing our students on the reservation. My personal educational experiences of growing up on the reservation and in the suburbs of Chandler, AZ, provided me with the insight of the challenges that many of our indigenous youth encounter going between traditional and western teachings.

My life has been a tapestry of woven paths as I continually integrate my culture and life within the dominant society. Throughout my educational upbringing I juggled my Native traditional practices as a Navajo first and infused that into mainstream views. It was difficult, but I had family support to help me maneuver my choices.

Our Native students experience this every day on the reservation. I see myself as a role model and part of their access to the outside world. Many times they are reluctant to step out of their comfort zone to try new opportunities. So, I try to continually share opportunities that help guide their choices. I also continually advocate for the educational rights and opportunities for students in our Native communities.

What’s the one change in New Mexico education that’s the most needed or would have the biggest impact?

The one change that I believe would make the biggest impact would be to provide professional development that reflects the diverse needs of our communities. I believe that New Mexico is headed in the right direction through NMPED’s Teacher Leader Network (NMTLN).

They truly believe the power of change begins in the classroom with the teacher. In hopes of supporting teachers NMPED has offered an abundance of professional development covering a wide range of topics surrounding education, and helped to develop teacher created resources to enhance instructional methods and teaching practices.

Speaking of NMPED, you are a member of the “Secretary’s Teacher Advisory”. Can you share more about what brought you to be interested in that and how the experience has been?

The Secretary’s Teacher Advisory (STA) was first put on my radar last year during the Teacher Summit. With the encouragement of Teacher Leader Liaison Alicia Duran, I decided to apply. I wanted to make sure that Shiprock, as well as other Native communities, are represented and have a teacher voice to advocate for them.

As a member of STA I not only found my voice to advocate for change, but I also acquired the confidence to share my teacher story. This teacher leader network has broadened my perspective of education in New Mexico, and given me access to an amazing network of colleagues that represent our diverse schools across the state. We don’t all agree on everything, but are all committed to improving our practice to better reach all our students.