Albuquerque, NM – Teach Plus New Mexico has selected nine highly effective teacher leaders from around the state as Fellows of its fourth New Mexico Teaching Policy Fellowship cohort. During the ten-month program, the nine teachers together with four Fellowship alumni will work on key state-level issues, such as supporting teachers and students during COVID-19 and advocating for robust early childhood education. The program empowers teachers to magnify the impact they have in their classrooms through personal interactions with education leaders and opportunities to advocate for policies that will better serve New Mexico teachers and students.
“During the past three years, Teach Plus New Mexico has worked with teachers across the state to provide opportunities for champion educators to learn more about the policies that affect their classrooms and to provide opportunities for them to have direct input into educational systems and policies,” said Hope Morales, Teach Plus New Mexico State Director. “Teach Plus Fellows have demonstrated that effective classroom teachers are essential stakeholders that can use their experience and research-driven expertise to support students across the state.”
“I’m excited to join Teach Plus and use my voice to improve education policy in New Mexico. I’m looking forward to collaborating and learning from educators around the state to expand equitable opportunities for all students in New Mexico,” said Sara Fresquez-Pena, preschool special education teacher, Santa Fe Public Schools.
Teaching Policy Fellows are:
Ashley Carpenter, Moriarity
Sarah Fresquez-Pena, Santa Fe
Aimee Parra, Mesilla
Kelly Pearce, Rio Rancho
Margaret Silva, Albuquerque
Robin Stevens, Hobbs
Andrea Thomas, Shiprock
Mandi Torrez, Placitas
Christopher Vian, Gallup
Aja Currey*, Las Vegas
Danielle Kusmak*, Tularosa
Joe Dan M. Lovato*, Albuquerque
Tennise Lucas*, Albuquerque
*alumni
The new Fellows come from district and public charter schools across the Land of Enchantment. Many of the incoming teachers have won teaching awards and hold teacher leadership roles with their various schools and districts.
About Teach Plus
The mission of Teach Plus is to empower excellent, experienced, and diverse teachers to take leadership over key policy and practice issues that affect their students’ success. Since 2009, Teach Plus has trained thousands of teacher leaders across the country who are driving policy changes and improving the instructional practices of teachers to create an education system driven by equity, access, and excellence for all students. teachplus.org
