SWREC Spotlight Newsletter- November Edition

SWREC Monthly Newsletter

Spotlight from our Executive Director: The Power of an Hour

When educators and school leaders are asked, “What is the greatest barrier to school improvement?” The overwhelming response is, “NOT ENOUGH TIME”.

Each November, as we turn our clocks back and mark the end of Daylight-Saving Time, we gain what feels like a rare and valuable gift— an extra hour. Though it’s only a shift on the clock, this simple act invites us to pause and reflect on the deeper value of time, how we use it, how we share it, and how it shapes our work as educators.

In the classroom, an hour holds remarkable potential. It can transform the rhythm of a day—allowing space for a richer discussion, a student’s “aha” moment, or a lesson that finally has the time to unfold without the pressure to hurry through. One extra hour might mean circling back to a skill that needs reinforcement, encouraging students to think more deeply, or simply slowing down enough to let curiosity and inquiry lead the way. These are the moments that build understanding and strengthen the connections that make learning meaningful.

Beyond the classroom, that same hour carries power for collaboration. Time spent meeting with colleagues—sharing strategies, reflecting on challenges, or designing solutions together—creates energy that sends a wave through an entire school community. When educators have time to think, plan, and set goals collectively, innovation and inspiration thrive and everyone reaps the benefits.

Of course, there is also the personal aspect. One hour devoted to rest, reading, reflection, or listening to a podcast, can renew our sense of balance and purpose. The work we do each day is demanding and deeply human; we give of ourselves constantly. An extra hour can be the reminder that growth, for both educators and students, begins when we make room for rejuvenation and recommitment.

As the days grow shorter and the light shifts, may we see this “extra hour” not as a fleeting bonus, but as a symbol—a reminder that time, when used with intention, becomes the foundation for learning, collaboration, and growth.

Instructional Specialist Spotlight

Collage of multiple photos from a professional training session, with a large, white overlay text that reads

October's Focus: Learning & Leading! 🍎

This month, our instructional team has been exceptionally busy, dedicating time both to professional development for themselves and to **training others** across the district.

Deepening Special Education Expertise

We've prioritized strengthening our support for students with special needs with multiple, equally vital training sessions aimed at enhancing compliance and student outcomes. The sessions covered crucial topics, including a deep dive into **crafting measurable goals** and **Specially Designed Instruction (SDI)**, Tools for **Special Education Discipline** along with workshops focused on **measuring progress** and best practices for **Evaluation Determination Teams (EDT)** and ensuring the **Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)**.

Advancing Math Instruction

Our commitment to high-quality mathematics education is moving forward! Our math teachers participated in crucial training focused on engaging students in the mathematics classroom and discovering new teaching methods. These sessions covered essential concepts like **Data Concepts and Statistical Thinking** for K-3 and topics from **Numbers and Base Ten to the Number System** for Grades 4-Algebra II. We also did our Annual Curriculum adoption fair (pictured on the left) with the option to pilot a new math curriculum next semester.

Upcoming November Trainings

SWREC Leadership Academy

Date/Time: Monday, 11/3/25, 12:00-3:30 (Lunch Provided, Includes monthly executive coaching)

Presenter: SWREC Instructional Staff

Location: SWREC Training Room
Crafting Success for Every Student: Practical Applications of IDEA Discipline and the MDR Process.

Date/Time: Monday, 11/3/25, Virtual 3:30-4:45

Presenter: Lorie Gerkey

Location: Virtual 3:30-4:45
SPED DIRECTORS’ ACADEMY-FACE TO FACE

Date/Time: Thursday, 11/6/25, 12:00-3:30

Presenter: Lorie Gerkey

Location: SWREC Training Room
Redesigning Inclusive Behavior Supports: Creating Communities Where Every Student Belongs - Part 2: Ground Yourself First: Using Your Own Nervous System as an Intervention Tool

Date/Time: Thursday, 11/6/25, 4:45-6:00 PM

Presenter: Dr. Niki Elliott

Location: Virtual 4:45-6:00 PM
Executive Functioning for Early Childhood

Date/Time: Monday, 11/10/25, 8:30-3:30

Presenter: Dr. Sarah Oberly

Location: SWREC Training Room
Ron Clark Academy House System Training

Date/Time: Wednesday, 11/12/25, 8:30-3:30

Presenter: Dr. Toni Hull

Location: SWREC Training Room
Redesigning Inclusive Behavior Supports: Creating Communities Where Every Student Belongs - Part 3: Designed for Belonging: Environments That Prevent Escalation.

Date/Time: Thursday, 11/13/25, 4:45-6:00 PM

Presenter: Dr. Sylvia Mac

Location: Virtual 4:45-6:00 PM
Crafting Success for Every Student: Practical Applications of Transition Planning.

Date/Time: Monday, 11/17/25, Virtual 3:30-4:45

Presenter: Lorie Gerkey

Location: Virtual 3:30-4:45
Whole Number Concepts and Operations - Grades Kindergarten - Grade 3

Date/Time: Wednesday, 11/19/25, 8:30-3:30

Presenter: School Kit

Location: SWREC Training Room

🌟 Staff Spotlight: Our Event Coordination Whiz!

Next time you enjoy a perfectly brewed cup of coffee, a delicious catered lunch, or a smoothly run conference, take a moment to appreciate the magic behind the scenes! We're shining the spotlight this month on Terrance Hester, the wizard who makes all our events, big and small, a seamless success. Terrance is the engine that drives our engagement and hospitality, managing everything from our daily needs to major statewide undertakings.

In-House Hero: He is responsible for making our SWREC building feel welcoming, ensuring we have fresh coffee and snacks and that our meeting rooms are perfectly planned and set up for internal events.
Logistics Leader: He meticulously plans and coordinates all catering for events, ensuring every detail is covered.
Conference Catalyst: Terrance is also the driving force behind our largest, most impactful events, including the annual Statewide Literacy Conference and the Charter Conference. He also coordinate vital, smaller conferences for our valued partners and the NM PED.

From setting up a single projector to coordinating a statewide convention,Terrance's dedication to detail ensures every event reflects the professionalism and mission of the SWREC. Thank you, Terrance, for your invaluable work!

Spotlight from Structured Literacy

New Mexico Student Achievement Literacy Improvement:

Literacy proficiency increased by 10 percentage points statewide since 2022. The spring 2025 proficiency rates reflect the largest post-pandemic gains in literacy across grades 3–8. Students in grades 3 (+8%), 6 (+6%), and 8 (+7%) showed the highest one-year gains we've seen to date with NM-MSSA. This statewide increase is statistically significant, as states on average see 1–3 points in increases in year-to-year proficiency gains.

The early literacy proficiency rate across grades K–2 rose from 31% to 41%. More notably, kindergarteners had a 13% increase in proficiency from 2024 to 2025, marking the largest year-over year literacy gains on record for this cohort.

Grades 3–8 literacy proficiency rose from 34% in 2022 to 44% in 2025, with 72% of schools improving from 2024 to 2025.

Celebrating Member Districts:

Cobre
Deming
Hatch
Silver City

***These districts were identified by the NM PED as having schools with high-growth in literacy for the 2024-2025 school year.

Thank you!

The SWREC would like to thank all of the educators, administrators, and families for continuing to support literacy instruction across the state. Your efforts are truly showing, and we are excited to see what is possible for the students in New Mexico! We are just getting started, and know that this is just the beginning!

#UntilEveryoneCanRead