Southwest Regional Education Cooperative Staff

Valerie Brea has been in education for over 22 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 four and a half years working with the Southwest Regional Education Cooperative (SWREC) as a program director and associate director, designing and implementing professional development for teachers covering a wide range of topics. She also mentors principals in the Principals Pursuing Excellence program and serves as the onsite team leader with the Teachers Pursuing Excellence program.

Erica was born in Phoenix, Arizona, but she has lived in Deming, New Mexico, all her life. She started as a vocational transition specialist who, after being in the banking business for ten years, plunged into this new career on August 1, 2017. Erica has earned a bachelor’s degree in general business and a master’s in business administration, both from Western New Mexico University. As of January 3, 2018, she is the SWREC operations manager.

Prestine Parten is a level III teacher who began teaching in the Deming Public School District in 1998. She holds an elementary education bachelor’s degree from NMSU, a master of education degree in technology in education from Lesley University, and she has a second master’s degree in educational leadership/administration through WNMU. She taught grades 4–7, was a technology coach at Columbus Elementary and joined Deming Public School District’s technology department in July 2011, where she supported teachers with instructional technologies for the classroom as well as trained district and school staff on various technology tools and programs, website authoring, and Office 365 features. She was also the instructional and technology coach for J.U.M.P. School (multi-age classroom) teachers. In August 2017, Prestine began working with the Southwest Regional Education Cooperative (SWREC) as the technology manager. For the first four years, she spent part of her time in Animas Public Schools as their technology director and district test coordinator. She continues to offer training in instructional technologies. She supports various programs that bring STEM and technology into classrooms and looks for opportunities to involve regional districts in educational technology learning.

Kristina comes to SWREC with experience from a local grocery store, Pepper's Supermarket, where she had many positions, including working in the bakery and deli, as a courtesy clerk and cashier, at the service desk, and in their bookkeeping department. She also worked as a receptionist at the assessor's office. She was an office manager of a local dental office. Kristina is a mother of three boys and a stepson and loves fishing and hunting with them. She loves being with family and spending valuable time together. She enjoys watching baseball and football, especially when her boys play. She is also a band booster mom and enjoys cheering on her band kiddo and football player. She began working as SWREC's clerk in October 2018.

Lisa has an extensive background in banking/finance. She was a bank officer and has been in banking for 28 years. In 2001, she received a management degree from Anderson School of Management at UNM. In March of 2013, Lisa joined the SW Regional Education Cooperative. Although challenging, she has found it exciting to see the inner workings of education and to experience this whole new world.

Crystal Gonzales joined the Southwest Regional Education Cooperative team in February 2023 as our Medicaid financial coordinator. She comes to us after working for the Deming Public School District for over 21 years. Crystal served in various positions during her tenure with DPS including her most distinguished positions as administrative assistant for the Transportation Department, and lastly as the lead equity liaison for the Equity Department. During her time in the Transportation Department, she obtained her bachelor’s degree in business from Western New Mexico University. A proud Deming native, Crystal is active in her community and is always aspiring to spread love, acceptance, and awareness. She is one of the founding members of Deming’s Hearts for Autism non-profit organization, is a Community Healthcare Foundation board member, and a Deming Community Coalition member. In her down time, she enjoys time spent with her family, friends, and dogs, exploring spiritually based universal themes, meditation, camping, and reading.

Before coming to SWREC, Amber worked at Mimbres Memorial Hospital as an ER clerk. She also worked in scheduling and admissions/registration. There for nine years, Amber became very familiar with insurances and how billing begins. Amber came to SWREC in September of 2016 and has not regretted that decision one bit. At the SWREC offices, she does the billing for Medicaid in the schools. It keeps her busy!

Deborah graduated from the University of Arizona in Tucson. She lives in Silver City, where she spent 26 years as a reading coach and teaching K–5 and high school-age students. Her favorite and most beloved memories are of her students! Deborah is a very enthusiastic instructional coach here at the SWREC. She joined the team in August of 2018. Prior to joining the team, she spent two years as a retired teacher. She enjoyed the time off but was still constantly thinking and planning and wishing to be a part of the education field, wanting to continue helping teachers and students learn and achieve their goals. When the part-time instructional coach job came open, she knew it was meant for her. Deborah and her husband of 33 years have five grown children and five grandchildren so far. She loves animals and has eight ducks, five dogs, three rabbits, two turtles, and a snake named Joe. She enjoys being outdoors hiking, fishing, hunting, and kayaking. She is a faithful person and spends quality time daily meditating.