Instruction Interruption

2022 New Mexico Teacher of the Year Lorynn Guerrero kicks off Season 3 as the new host. She sits down with two charter school leaders to talk about how we can meet the needs of all of our students no matter their circumstances. Lorynn will focus her year of advocacy on finding ways to support our students on a path to a diploma.

Bearded dragons! Butterflies! In this episode, Alisa Cooper de Uribe closes out Season 2 with reflections on the year and a call to action for connection, advocacy, and practicing hope. 

Lorynn Guerrero, the 2022 New Mexico Teacher of the Year,  is an English Language Arts and GRADS teacher at The New America School, a public charter high school in Las Cruces. Drawn to the school's mission to empower immigrants, emerging bilinguals, and academically underserved students, she further removed barriers to graduation by establishing a GRADS (Graduation Reality and Dual-role Skills) program for expectant and parenting teens and a child development center for their children on-campus.  In this episode, Lorynn talks about her own journey as a teen parent who pursued education toward having her own classroom, and the importance of expanding the traditional narrative of a K-12 to college experience to be more inclusive of diverse life experiences and needs. She says of her students, “To listen to their stories, it made me realize it doesn't matter when you get your high school diploma, it just matters that you can get it. And so, that's made me see that the traditional way of learning is changing.” She also highlights the creative ways in which community partnerships can create opportunities for social, emotional, and physical health of students in our schools.

Aimee Parra was an elementary school educator, teaching kindergarten at Mesilla Elementary in Las Cruces Public Schools, and since the recording of this episode, has stepped into the role of Teach Plus New Mexico Teacher Network Coordinator. With a background in dance as well as curriculum and instruction, along with strong ties to her southern New Mexico community, Aimee brings a diverse body of knowledge and experience to her work with children and her work as a teacher leader in organizations like Teach Plus. In this episode, Aimee talks about the transformative and nourishing power of fostering relationships with and among students and families, as well as how the example and guidance of teachers can empower and inspire children to find and use their voices, and to know that leadership is an integral a part of their development.   She remarks that “I think it's all about honoring people for who they are and what they bring to the table," and speaks to the power of leadership opportunities for teachers through organizations like Teach Plus. 

Gloria Ruiz is the Director of Community Affairs at the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association (NMOGA). With a background in elementary education, Gloria has taken her studies to the leadership level in myriad capacities. In her previous work at the Public Education Department's Office of Strategic Outreach, she helped create the New Mexico Engaged framework for school-family partnerships. Gloria also serves on the Hispanic Education Advisory Council, created in 2010.  Gloria speaks to the variety of ways that community and education can positively intersect, and how technology has played a role this past year in strengthening community and educational connections. She noted that companies “have been able to step up and provide technology and resources to support students and STEM education and career opportunities,” and encourages people to run for and participate in educational leadership roles, such as our local school boards. 

In 2014, G. Andrés Romero was elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives for District 10, and currently serves as Chair of the House Education Committee.  Representative Romero shares how his family background in education and political engagement played a role in his upbringing, and how his graduate studies led him to discover a love for preparing and participating in the learning process for students. As a public servant in education and legislation, he notes that “we are a citizen legislature,” and encourages teachers to maintain open lines of communication with the many education advocates currently serving in the House and Senate."

Welcome to our first episode in Spanish! Otilio Ruiz is at the forefront of connecting whole-child learning with language immersion education. Originally from the state of Veracruz, Mexico, Maestro Ruiz studied both music and education. Arriving in Albuquerque as a musician, his gifts for teaching were soon recognized, and he has since graced cultural and educational spaces with his musical talents and his love of teaching in the Spanish language. He speaks of his family legacy of learning that continues to inform and guide his teaching practices, and shares the key moments of working with youth that brought his musical and teaching careers together. His mother’s wise words that, “You cannot love something you do not know” inspired songs and classroom inquiries that have more deeply connected countless students to our wonderful and unique state of New Mexico.

Mary Jean Habermann López has been a key player in uplifting the field of bilingual education in New Mexico. Her experience as a bilingual classroom teacher, school administrator, college professor, and director of bilingual education for New Mexico at the state and federal levels connected her to the prime movers of our unique and crucial bilingual programs.

Meet Alisa Cooper de Uribe, the 2021 New Mexico Teacher of the Year. Alisa is a first grade bilingual teacher at the New Mexico International School in Albuquerque. Get to know her passions, how she became a teacher and what you can expect from her in her year of service for our state.

Jen Chavez-Miller, a New Mexico teacher for 23 years, was named as the 2020 National Geographic Teacher of the Year. Now a teacher of teachers, she talks about the importance of collaboration and "finding your people." Also hear how she was able to land fellowships that took her around the world for a unique global education perspective.

Get a front row seat to some pretty amazing things happening at the Albuquerque Sign Language Academy. From SEL frameworks and university partnerships across the country, to project based learning and teacher empowerment, hear how this little school is making big waves as a leader in innovation with everything from how students are assessed to how teachers are encouraged to be bold. Co-founder and Executive Director Rafe Martinez, born and raised a Burqueno, sees the need to disrupt the system while the empowering people within it.

Lt. Gov. Howie Morales is well-versed on the ins and outs of a classroom, as his professional career started out in teaching. He spent 15 years in the teaching profession, 10 of those in a classroom with special education, history, biology and driver’s ed. The Lt. Gov also holds a PhD in Curriculum and Educational Management and Leadership from New Mexico State University. The son of a miner, he talks about mining and labor unions and how his hometown's history has influenced his work today. He also talks about the importance of mental health awareness for our students, families and teachers.

New Mexico Secretary of Education Dr. Ryan Stewart shares his teacher story and how he took a sharp turn toward education late in his time at Stanford University. He tells his personal stories on why he "leads with love" and about being a dad. He also shares his thoughts on our criminal justice system and how that relates to our schools.

Andrea Thomas, third grade teacher at Ojo Amarillo Elementary, describes her experience of growing up on the Navajo Reservation and why that lured her to return and give back to her community. She also discusses looping, teacher evaluation and how to get more Native Americans to join the ranks of the teacher workforce.

Our Back to School Episode features two New Mexico teacher leaders sharing their strategies for online learning and communication. Deb Minyard, NBCT, is a music teacher at Pojoaque Valley High School and is the 2015 N.M. Teacher of the Year. Ashley Niman is a fourth grade teacher at Rio Rancho's Enchanted Hills Elementary. She has served as a Teacher Amabassador and as a member of the Secretary's Advisory Council.

This community spotlight episode focuses on how our civic leaders can help support education in New Mexico. Ryan Flynn, New Mexico Oil and Gas Association Executive Director, explains how and why his organization has made education a priority when giving back to communities.

David Morales, the 2016 New Mexico Teacher of the Year, shares his inspiring life story that brought him into a Las Cruces classroom. He talks about the teachers who inspired his journey, as well as shares advice on how to go about creating strong relationships with students, especially during this time of the pandemic and distance learning.

Melanie Alfaro is a Milken Award winner and is a member of the New Mexico State University Basketball Hall of Fame. She is a math specialist in Deming Schools, leading the way to help teachers grow with their math instruction.

Lincoln Middle School teacher Kelly Pearce talks about how her time abroad has had an impact on her Rio Rancho classes that include Media Literacy and Pre-Avid. She will tell you how to bring business leaders from around the country into your classroom, as well as gives advice on how to use your teacher voice for change.

In this episode, we talk with Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School's Greg Butz. He shares his "awakening to social-emotional learning" and how he goes about creating strong connections and relationships with his students.

New Mexico Teacher of the Year Mandi Torrez interviews Albuquerque teacher and professional musician Joe Dan Lovato, a 2018 N.M. Teacher of the Year Finalist and Teach Plus Policy Fellow of the Year. Lovato, a STEAM-H educator at Mark Armijo Academy, talks Paulo Freire, basketball and Ghostbusters. He also shares one of his most popular songs that he wrote and performed himself.