SWREC Spotlight Newsletter- December Edition

SWREC Monthly Newsletter

Spotlight from our Executive Director: December is a Time for Celebration

This time of year gives us so much to celebrate in our schools; moments of growth, acts of courage, and the unwavering belief that every child deserves a future filled with possibility. At its heart are the people who are dedicated to this work each day. In December, we celebrate the extraordinary dedication of teachers, educational assistants, and administrators who turn classrooms into communities and schools into places where dreams are born. We celebrate teachers who ignite curiosity, model resilience, and show students that their voices matter. We celebrate educational assistants whose steady presence reassures students that they are never alone in their learning. Together, they create classrooms where educational risk taking is recognized, individual needs are honored, and every student discovers new strengths within themselves. Their work reminds us that learning is not just an academic journey, it is an act of hope, and every day is a chance to place another steppingstone on the path our students are traveling.

We also celebrate administrators who cultivate the conditions for this learning to flourish. These are leaders who believe deeply in the power of collaboration, who build systems that uplift both students and staff, and who guide schools with vision and heart. We celebrate every step forward a student takes, every moment of connection among colleagues, and every instance when someone goes above and beyond simply because they care. These are the triumphs that define the SWREC member districts and they are worth celebrating every single day.

We at the SWREC would like to take a moment to celebrate each and every one of you who do this difficult and rewarding work and to wish you a fulfilling and fabulous end to 2025 and more exciting and gratifying things to come in 2026.

Instructional Specialist Spotlight

A vertical collage featuring multiple photos from a professional training or workshop, overlaid with the large white text

🥳 Celebrating November's Achievements! 🚀

Leadership & Culture

We held the SWREC Leadership Academy sessions and implemented the highly energetic House System Training to strengthen leadership and school culture.
Student Support (IDEA & Behavior)

We covered Crafting Success for Every Student (IDEA Discipline/MDR and Transition Planning), a full day on Executive Functioning for Early Childhood, and attended a three-part series on Redesigning Inclusive Behavior Supports.
Instruction & Mathematics

Staff focused on improving core academic delivery with training on Whole Number Concepts and Operations (K-3) and how to build skills throughout the grade levels.
Community Collaboration

We participated in the Southwest Regional Convening on Student Success with the NM PED, WNMU, and partners, engaging educators and community members in co-designing solutions for attendance in New Mexico.

Thank you for your immense dedication to professional growth last month!

Upcoming December Trainings

Crafting Success for Every Student: Practical Applications of Excellent Documentation

Date/Time: Monday, 12/1/25, Virtual 3:30-4:45

Presenter: Lorie Gerkey

Location: Virtual 3:30-4:45
Redesigning Inclusive Behavior Supports: Creating Communities Where Every Student Belongs - Part 4: Executive Functions for Every Classroom: Creating Safe and Predictable Learning Environments.
Date/Time: Wednesday, 12/3/25, 4:45-6:00 PM

Presenter: Mitch Weathers

Location: Virtual 4:45-6:00 PM
Come Join, Growing Language Through Science: Strategies That Work Across the Curriculum Book Study (Registration has closed)
Date/Time: Wednesday, 12/3/25, Virtual 4:00-5:30

Presenter: NM STEM Innovation Network

Location: Virtual 4:00-5:30
From Operations & Algebraic Thinking to Expressions and Equations - Grades 4 - Algebra II
Date/Time: Monday, 12/8/25, 8:30-3:30

Presenter: School Kit

Location: SWREC Training Room
Developing Fraction Concepts and Operations - Grades Kindergarten - Grade 3
Date/Time: Wednesday, 12/10/25, 8:30-3:30

Presenter: School Kit

Location: SWREC Training Room
SPED Leadership Academy-Virtual session
Date/Time: Thursday, 12/11/25, Virtual for Directors 2:00-3:30

Presenter: Lorie Gerkey

Location: Virtual for Directors 2:00-3:30

🌟 Staff Spotlight: Welcome to the Medicaid Team!

Jeremy Escarcega

A huge welcome to our newest team member! We're thrilled to have you join our Medicaid team. 🎉 Your extensive experience in various roles, particularly in areas like Accounts Payable, Utility Billing, Insurance Billing, and working as a Patient Service Specialist, will be a great asset.

We look forward to seeing the valuable contributions you’ll bring to our team! Welcome aboard! 🥳

🌟 SWREC Holiday Spirit: Decking the Halls! ☃️

The SWREC office is bursting with festive cheer this season! Our team came together to deck the halls, transforming our workspace into a delightful winter wonderland. From sparkling tinsel and cozy fireplaces to full-scale gingerbread houses, the dedication to spreading holiday spirit has been truly inspiring. These decorations are a wonderful reminder of the warmth and creativity of our staff.

A Look at our holiday fun!

Spotlight on Structured Literacy: Model/Support School Grant

The Structured Literacy Initiative is entering its fourth year of implementation. This statewide effort continues to expand its reach and impact through evidence-based literacy coaching and professional learning opportunities for educators across New Mexico.

Current Initiative Reach

✓ 8 Model Schools (plus 3 Sustaining Model Schools in Year 3)
✓ 72 Support School Sites (an increase of 10 from the previous year)
✓ Over 1,400 participating teachers statewide, impacting more than 25,000 students across the state.

All participating teachers receive coaching in evidence-based structured literacy practices aligned to state standards and the New Mexico Multilayered System of Supports (MLSS) framework, ensuring high-quality, impactful instruction.

Model School Spotlight: Broadmoor Elementary (Hobbs School District)

Broadmoor Elementary School in Hobbs, New Mexico, is dedicated to developing strong leaders to enhance structured literacy outcomes. Recently, our staff had the honor of hosting Bri Luna, a distinguished trainer and developer of Reading Rev, who has devoted her career to revolutionizing literacy instruction and the science of learning. During her visit, she shared specialized strategies that will transform our teaching practices.

This instructional approach includes explicit instruction aligned with Anita Archer's principles. Additionally, staff participated in a day of team-building activities focused on our comprehensive school-wide plan for our professional book study, "MTSS for Reading Improvement" by Sarah Brown and Stephanie Stoller.

At Broadmoor Elementary, we are committed to fostering growth in both our teachers and students in the eastern part of our beautiful state!

SWREC Spotlight Newsletter- December Edition

Spotlight from our Executive Director: December is a Time for Celebration

Instructional Specialist Spotlight

🥳 Celebrating November's Achievements! 🚀

Leadership & Culture

Student Support (IDEA & Behavior)

Instruction & Mathematics

Community Collaboration

Upcoming December Trainings

Crafting Success for Every Student: Practical Applications of Excellent Documentation

Redesigning Inclusive Behavior Supports: Creating Communities Where Every Student Belongs - Part 4: Executive Functions for Every Classroom: Creating Safe and Predictable Learning Environments.

Come Join, Growing Language Through Science: Strategies That Work Across the Curriculum Book Study (Registration has closed)

From Operations & Algebraic Thinking to Expressions and Equations - Grades 4 - Algebra II

Developing Fraction Concepts and Operations - Grades Kindergarten - Grade 3

SPED Leadership Academy-Virtual session