Gigette Nieto is a 2023-2024 Teach Plus New Mexico Alumni Policy Fellow. Gigette is a special education instructor at Rio Rancho Middle School in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. She is a mentor for special education teachers and the school liaison for the New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED). She is the district representative for Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), provides guidance on the creation of IEPs, collaborates with the instructional team to enhance instruction for students with disabilities, and provides staff development. Gigette was nominated for the 2021 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. Gigette is the secretary of the New Mexico Hispanic Education Advisory Council and recently provided advice to the current NMPED Secretary. She earned a BA in sociology and a BA in communication from the University of New Mexico. She has an MA in special education from New Mexico Highlands University and has earned her educational leadership certificate and administrator’s license.
