Spotlight from our Executive Director
Stars and Stripes and Small Victories
As fireworks light up the sky this Fourth of July, our nation celebrates something truly remarkable, 250 years of America's story. It is a milestone that reminds us not only of our country's history, but also of the people who have shaped it through courage, service, resilience, and hope.
For educators, summer offers a different kind of celebration. After months of early mornings, lesson plans, difficult conversations, celebrations, setbacks, and countless decisions made in the best interest of students, this season gives us permission to pause. It is a time to rest, reconnect with family and friends, travel, read for pleasure, sleep in, or simply enjoy a quiet cup of coffee without a bell schedule dictating the day.
As you celebrate our nation's birthday, don't forget to celebrate your own accomplishments. Educators often spend so much time recognizing others that they forget to recognize themselves. This summer, give yourself permission to celebrate how far you've come. Celebrate the challenges you've overcome. Celebrate the difference you've made. Celebrate the lives you've touched, even when you may never fully know the impact.
Take a moment to think about the student who finally understood a difficult concept because you refused to give up. Remember the family who felt heard because you listened. Think about the colleague you encouraged, the crisis you helped navigate, or the countless small moments that may never appear in a report but made all the difference in a child's day. Those victories matter.
Looking forward to starting your school year, how will you celebrate? Schools will have their own big celebrations like graduation, state championships, academic awards, concerts and performances etc. But the small celebrations are the ones that change lives. Take some time to think about and plan how you will celebrate these small victories like:
- The student who raises a hand for the first time.
- The reader who finishes an entire book independently.
- The class that transitions quietly after weeks of practice.
- The reluctant learner who smiles because someone noticed their effort.
- The parent who finally feels like a true partner.
- The teacher who tries a new strategy despite uncertainty.
As America commemorates 250 years of possibility and progress, may we also celebrate the communities we build every day inside our school, places where hope is renewed, futures are shaped, and every child has the opportunity to write their own chapter in our nation's story.
Have a safe, joyful Fourth of July, and enjoy every moment of your well-earned summer. We look forward to celebrating another incredible school year with you.
May your July sparkle as brightly as the evening sky.
SWREC Executive Director,
Valerie Brea
🌟 Spotlight on Instructional Excellence
June: A Month of Learning and Resetting
June has been an incredible month of growth, reflection, and professional resetting as we geared up for the year ahead!
Thank you to all the incredible presenters and attendees who brought their passion for student success to these events. Here’s to carrying this momentum forward!🌟
Upcoming Trainings
NMCEL
New Mexico Truth: How New Mexico’s Education Actually Compares Nationally
Featuring Renowned National Keynotes:
George Couros
George Couros designs dynamic programs to infuse innovation into teaching and leadership, equipping educators with strategies for immediate impact and sustained evolution.
Kim Bearden
Kim Bearden is the cofounder and a language arts teacher at the highly acclaimed Ron Clark Academy, an innovative middle school and educator-training facility in Atlanta. Each year, over 15,000 educators visit Kim’s classroom to learn dynamic ways to engage students, build relationships, and foster success.
🎉 Welcoming Our New District Superintendents!
As we gear up for an exciting new school year, the Southwest Regional Education Cooperative (SWREC) is thrilled to extend a warm, collective welcome to the outstanding new leaders stepping into superintendency roles across our member districts. These four exceptional educators bring a wealth of diverse experience, innovative ideas, and an unwavering commitment to student success, community empowerment, and academic excellence in New Mexico. Please join us in welcoming them to our SWREC family!
Superintendent Robbi Coker
"All students and all families! Team Panther! Catch the wave! Conquer the day! Where adventure fuels learning!"
We are delighted to extend our warmest congratulations to Robbi Coker, the new Superintendent for Animas Public Schools. Whenever there is a transition in district leadership, change is inevitable. However, under Superintendent Coker’s leadership, one vital truth remains absolutely steadfast: Team Panther will continue to put students and their families first—all students, and all families! We look forward to seeing the incredible adventures and educational milestones ahead for Animas under her guidance.
Superintendent James Olivas
Reserve ISD is proud to welcome James Olivas as their next Superintendent of Schools. A decorated veteran of the United States Air Force, Mr. Olivas has dedicated his professional career to leadership, service, and the advancement of educational opportunities for students and communities across New Mexico.
Mr. Olivas brings over two decades of public education experience, serving as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, data coordinator, district testing coordinator, operations director, and most recently as Assistant Superintendent for Bloomfield School District. His contributions to state-level education are extensive:
- Honors & Advisory Roles: Recipient of the prestigious New Mexico Golden Apple Award (2012), member of the Woodrow Wilson Foundation Leadership Cohort (2018), and active advisor on the NMPED Assessment and Accountability Advisory Committee and the Teacher Evaluation Task Force.
- STEM & Innovation: Served as a technological advisor to San Juan College, a visiting instructor at Fort Lewis College, and participated in both the Department of Energy’s ACTS program and the Presidential Academy in American History and Civics Education.
Mr. Olivas's servant-leadership style centers on the belief that authentic learning extends beyond classroom walls to positively impact the broader community. His track record in Bloomfield includes expanding career and technical education (CTE) pathways, securing millions in state grants, and boosting graduation rates to record highs.
— Superintendent James Olivas
Mr. Olivas and his wife, Veronica, have three children and remain deeply committed to public education and community service throughout New Mexico.
Superintendent Dr. Verenice Gutierrez
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Verenice Gutierrez to the Cobre Family! Dr. Gutierrez is a transformative educational leader who has spent three decades dismantling systemic barriers and architecting excellence for students.
Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, Dr. Gutierrez began her career as a 2nd-grade teacher in the Gadsden School District. She has consistently demonstrated high-stakes success across various roles—including Bilingual Educator, Principal, Chief Academic Officer of LEEP Dual Language Academies, and Assistant Superintendent.
- Distinguished Leadership: Most recently, she served as the iConnect Zone Superintendent in District 49 (Colorado Springs), overseeing 13 schools and 17,000 students. Under her leadership, two schools earned the "School of Distinction" status.
- Academic Achievement: As a recognized "turnaround specialist," she has twice taken underperforming schools from the bottom of state rankings to the top, achieving double-digit academic growth in a single year.
Dr. Gutierrez holds degrees from both the University of Texas at El Paso and New Mexico State University. Outside of her tireless advocacy for educational equity, she and her husband are devoted supporters of their five nephews and two nieces. They are also passionate Las Vegas Raiders fans and loving "paw-parents" to their beloved dogs: George Strait (a Basset Hound) and Maxx Crosby (a Beagle).
Superintendent Fred Montalvo
We are proud to welcome Fred Montalvo to the helm of Hatch Valley Public Schools! Superintendent Montalvo steps into his role with deep gratitude, enthusiasm, and a profound commitment to putting students at the heart of every district initiative.
Superintendent Montalvo believes that authentic progress is built on collaborative relationships and respecting the strong foundation already established within the Hatch community. To that end, he is launching a district-wide Listening and Learning Tour over the coming months.
- The Goal: Meeting with groups, staff, principal leaders, and community members from every school site to gather direct input.
- The Outcome: Using these shared insights to collaboratively build a strategic roadmap and long-term vision that meets the exact needs of Hatch Valley's students and families.
Superintendent Montalvo's guiding philosophy is that every district decision, initiative, and conversation must start and end with what is best for the children they serve.
— Superintendent Fred Montalvo