2024-26 Teach Plus New Mexico Policy Fellows
Teacher leaders will advocate for state-level policies and lead projects in schools for more students to have access to effective educators and high-quality curriculum, and for improved data and accountability throughout the system.
Ruidoso, NM, November 12, 2024 — Teach Plus, a national nonprofit that empowers teachers to lead student-centered improvements in educational policy and instructional practice, has selected teacher leaders from across the state to advocate for and grow innovative policies and practices to help boost outcomes for New Mexico’s students. In the Teach Plus New Mexico Policy Fellowship, a diverse group of 13 educators are pursuing state-level policy changes including improving data, accountability, and school attendance, and bringing in more high-quality teachers, curriculum, and courses for New Mexico’s students. In the Innovation Change Agent in-school program, 11 educators are leading projects aimed at improving student performance in reading, math, and science.
“My own experience is testament to the fact that education is the driver that leads to economic mobility. Centered on breaking the cycle of poverty, our teacher leadership programs aim to ensure that all students can thrive academically and that economically disadvantaged students especially have access to the same opportunities as their wealthier peers,” said Teach Plus New Mexico Executive Director Hope Morales. “Our educators are committed to raising their voices, focused on their students, to improve systems that are directly impacting teaching and learning.”
The Teach Plus New Mexico Policy Fellowship
The 13 Teach Plus New Mexico Policy Fellows teach at some of the state’s best schools, including Teach Plus New Mexico Innovative Schools like Albuquerque Collegiate Charter School and East Mountain High School. These educators are bringing their experience and expertise from kindergarten to high school, and with both traditional and nontraditional students, to provide insight into the systems impacting students and advocate for policies that lead to change.
“As a proud graduate of New Mexico’s public schools, I am eager to collaborate with a team of like-minded professionals to improve our state’s education system and advocate for our community’s families. Every New Mexican deserves access to high-quality education, but the data says that we are not there yet. There is a lot of work to do, and I am honored to be part of this talented group of educators committed to making a difference,” said Brande Bernat, Teach Plus New Mexico Policy Fellow who teaches at Solare Collegiate Charter School in Albuquerque.
The 2024-26 Teach Plus New Mexico Policy Fellows:
- Brande Bernat, Solare Collegiate Charter School, Albuquerque
- Shannon Beyer, Albuquerque School of Excellence, Albuquerque
- Melanie Bussiere, Pecos Cyber Academy, Edgewood
- Jessica Castro-Buelna, J Paul Taylor Academy, Las Cruces
- Teisha Holloway, Digital Arts and Technology Academy Charter School, Albuquerque
- Elizabeth Leung, Albuquerque Collegiate Charter School, Albuquerque
- Andrea Lopez, Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School, Albuquerque
- Michael Mack, Albuquerque Charter Academy, Albuquerque
- Joaquin Sanchez, South Valley Academy, Albuquerque
- Lauren Scott, Mountain Mahogany Community School, Albuquerque
- Zeta Shearill, Alma d’arte Charter High School, Las Cruces
- Michael Wood, East Mountain High School, Sandia Park
The 2024-26 Teach Plus New Mexico Senior Policy Fellow:
- Aja Currey, Rio Gallinas Charter School, Las Vegas
The 2024-26 Teach Plus New Mexico Advocacy Fellows:
- Chelsea Granillo, Vista Grande Elementary School, Rio Rancho
- Jaycie Homer, Sixth Grade Academy, Lovington
The Teach Plus New Mexico Innovation Change Agents
The 11 Teach Plus New Mexico Innovation Change Agents are addressing challenges in their school communities, leading projects related to the innovative practices highlighted in the 2023 and 2024 Innovation in Education reports. The Change Agents are focused on improving students’ reading, math, and science proficiency by implementing school-wide strategies including adopting structured literacy practices and problem-based learning; engaging students in STEM career pathways relevant to their communities; addressing chronic absenteeism; and using digital arts to promote interdisciplinary problem-solving skills.
“As a Change Agent, I am in a position of leadership to work collaboratively with a team of my choice to create pathways for my students’ educational journeys and impact them positively. I look forward to working with the Teach Plus team to improve our system so it serves all our students,” said Stefeni Becerra, Teach Plus New Mexico Innovation Change Agent and social studies teacher in Lake Arthur Municipal Schools in Lake Arthur.
The 2024-25 Teach Plus New Mexico Change Agents:
- Stefeni Becerra, Lake Arthur Middle School, Lake Arthur Municipal Schools
- Jennifer Honaberger, Maggie Cordova Elementary School, Rio Rancho Public Schools
- Tyza Faith Iwag, Raton High School, Raton Public Schools
- Ericson Macapuno, Santo Domingo School, Bernalillo Public Schools
- Ryann Stanbrough, Cloudcroft Elementary School, Cloudcroft Municipal Schools
- Adriana Stansbury, Santo Domingo Elementary Bernalillo
- Lee Ann Trzcienski, Albuquerque Collegiate Charter School
- Romalyn Ubaldo, Santa Rosa High School, Santa Rosa Consolidated School
- Alexandra Ulibarri, Voz Collegiate Preparatory Charter School, Albuquerque Public Schools
- Beth Smith, Valley View Elementary Roswell
- Jennifer Warren, Nina Otero Community School, Santa Fe Public Schools
If interested in interviewing Executive Director Hope Morales or any of the Policy Fellows or Change Agents, please contact Kelly Pearce at kpearce@teachplus.org or 928-925-9236.
About Teach Plus
Teach Plus is dedicated to the mission of empowering excellent, experienced, and diverse teachers to take leadership over key policy and practice issues that advance equity, opportunity, and student success. In pursuing our mission, Teach Plus is guided by our Student Opportunity Mandate: All students should have the opportunity to achieve their potential in an education system defined by its commitment to equity, its responsiveness to individual needs, and its ability to prepare students for postsecondary success. Since 2009, Teach Plus has developed thousands of teacher leaders across the country to exercise their leadership in shaping education policy and improving teaching and learning for students. teachplus.org/nm/
