Instructional Services
Southwest REC strives to provide support for member districts to meet the needs of continuing professional development. A mark of highly qualified teachers is the commitment to hone their craft and their willingness to learn new ways of teaching to meet the needs of their diverse students. However, we understand how difficult it can be for administrators to find quality, targeted, effective professional development. That’s where we come in!
Current Trainings
As we schedule trainings, or have information about upcoming professional development opportunities in our area, we at Southwest REC will keep you informed through our newsletter, on our calendar, and as it is appropriate, we will provide additional workshop information here as well.
School Site Specific Support
SWREC partners directly with schools to design and deliver customized professional development based on each site’s unique needs. We collaborate with administrators to identify goals, create targeted trainings for staff, and provide follow-up support to ensure successful implementation. Our team also assists with state and district initiatives such as NM DASH, LETRS training, CPI, and PLC development, helping administrators meet their requirements while building capacity across their school community.
Teacher Mentoring
The SWREC offers tailored training and mentorship to support both new and experienced teachers while meeting state licensure requirements. Our program includes face-to-face and virtual trainings, coaching cycles for goal setting and reflection, and real-time instructional support such as modeling, co-teaching, and classroom management. We also assist administrators, help districts build strong on-site mentor programs, and provide guidance with lesson planning, PLCs, and data analysis.
Instructional Services Staff
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Labadie Virginia (Gina)Virginia (Gina) Labadie Special Education Instructional Specialist Send message »Biography
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Labadie Virginia (Gina)Virginia (Gina) Labadie Special Education Instructional Specialist Send message »Biography
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Brea ValerieValerie Brea Executive Director Send message »
Valerie Brea has been in education for over 29 years. She spent the first eight years of her career as a special education teacher in a self-contained K–5 class and then as a reading coach in an elementary school in Silver City, New Mexico. During these years, she obtained two master’s degrees, one in special education and one in educational leadership, in addition to her BA in elementary education. Providence led her to a ten-year position, during which she was simultaneously the principal and SPED director, and she taught as many as three classes a day in history and English to middle and high school students. Ms. Brea has spent the past 11 working with the Southwest Regional Education Cooperative (SWREC). She started as a program director and associate director, designing and implementing professional development for teachers covering a wide range of topics including Special Education and MLSS, and now has the position of Executive Director. She also coaches principals and school leaders across the state in various Priority Schools Bureau programs and throughout the SWREC member districts.
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Dr. Hull ToniDr. Toni Hull Instructional Specialist Send message »
Dr. Toni Hull is a passionate educational leader with 32 years of dedicated service to students, spanning 14 years in New York and 18 years in New Mexico. Her extensive career encompasses diverse roles, including teacher, instructional coach, trainer, principal, director, and head administrator, showcasing her experience across various facets of education. She firmly believes in cultivating a foundation of positive culture, setting high expectations, and fostering a "do to learn" philosophy among students. This empowering approach for students, teachers, and staff was instrumental in her leadership of the innovative team that founded the Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy in Las Cruces, New Mexico, in 2016. She has been recognized as a 2012-13 Teacher Ambassador Fellow for the US Department of Education, a 2015 Woodrow Wilson MBA Fellow, a 2019 Champion for Children Nominee by Jardin de Los Ninos, and a 2023 Ron Clark Academy Global House Ambassador. She is a regular presenter at conferences locally, statewide and nationally. She also serves as a performance coach in New Mexico’s Priority Schools Bureau leadership programs and teaches at the university level whenever she has the chance. Dr. Hull's driving passion is to connect school culture with the instructional experience, allowing for a successful reimagining of school for students, teachers, staff, and the community. She champions a holistic approach centered on gratitude, relationships, attitude, scholarship, and purpose, inspiring all those around her to achieve educational excellence.
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Labadie Virginia (Gina)Virginia (Gina) Labadie Special Education Instructional Specialist Send message »
In July 2019, Virginia (Gina) Labadie joined Southwest Regional Education Cooperative as a special education instructional specialist. She has been an educator for 22 years. After graduating from WNMU in 1997, she taught Head Start for three years. In 2000, she began working in public schools and just completed her nineteenth year. During her teaching career, she taught regular education for six years and then special education for thirteen years. She has experience in grades K-12 that includes resource room, self-contained, and inclusion support classes. She currently holds a BA in elementary education and a MAT in special education, with a Level III dual teaching license for K-8 elementary and K-12 special education.
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Richmond AmberAmber Richmond Instructional Specialist and IT Send message »
Amber Richmond joined the Southwest Regional Education Cooperative (SWREC) in July 2022 as an Instructional Specialist, bringing with her over 16 years of experience in education. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education with endorsements in Reading, English Language Arts (ELA), and Technology, along with a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership. Amber also holds a K–12 Administrative License, equipping her with both the instructional and leadership expertise necessary to support educators at every level.
In her current role, Amber works closely with school staff across eight different school districts, providing targeted support through professional development, instructional coaching, and mentorship. She facilitates a variety of trainings tailored to the evolving needs of educators, helping them implement research-based strategies that improve student outcomes. Whether working one-on-one with teachers, leading collaborative team meetings, or supporting district-wide initiatives, Amber is known for her thoughtful guidance and commitment to fostering growth in others.
Amber’s work extends beyond instruction—she has also taken on the role of IT support for the SWREC. In this capacity, she troubleshoots technical issues, maintains technology systems, and ensures that staff has the tools they need to succeed in an increasingly digital learning environment. Her dual role highlights her adaptability and her willingness to step in wherever help is needed.
Throughout her career, Amber has remained passionate about empowering educators and creating positive, supportive learning environments for all students. Her combination of instructional knowledge, leadership skills, and technical expertise makes her a valuable resource and trusted partner for the schools she serves.
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Dr. Soderberg TobyDr. Toby Soderberg Project Administrator Send message »Toby Soderberg is a level III teacher and administrator who began teaching for the Deming Public School District in 2004. He spent the first eight years of his career as a music teacher (instrumental and vocal) at an elementary, middle school, and high school in Deming, New Mexico. During this time, he obtained his first master's degree in educational leadership from WNMU. Upon completing this degree, Dr. Soderberg made a career change and shifted from teaching music to teaching English language arts in sixth grade for three years. During this transition, he completed his second master's degree in education from ENMU, which focused on reading and TESOL. For the past five years, Dr. Soderberg has been a principal at an elementary school and completed the doctoral program at NMSU, where he received his Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction, with an emphasis on educational learning technologies. He began working for SWREC in February 2022. His priority is to continue to support the districts, educators, and students of Southwest New Mexico.
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Villalba DeborahDeborah Villalba Structured Literacy Coach Send message »
- Thirty-four years of educational experience
- Elementary Education
- Structured Literacy Coach
- Degrees
- BA: Elementary Education
- TESOL and Bilingual Endorsements
- Thirty-four years of educational experience
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