Spotlight from our Executive Director
Ending the School Year by Playing the Long Game
In late May, with just days left in the school year, a veteran teacher noticed her students beginning to drift. The routines that once anchored their learning were loosening, and the energy in the room felt different. It was more restless and distracted. Both she and the students were ready for summer. It would have been easy to fill the time with light activities and count down the days. Instead, she leaned in. She redesigned her final lessons to revisit key concepts, asked students to reflect on how their thinking had grown and created space for them to showcase what they had learned. On the last day, as students shared their insights with confidence and pride, it was clear that the year hadnāt simply ended; it had come full circle. Her decision to finish strong turned those final days into a moment of triumph.
In education, success isnāt determined by how you start; itās defined by how you finish. Playing the long game means pacing ourselves, staying focused through fatigue, and keeping our eyes on the goal: student growth. As the school year winds down, it can be tempting to ease off the intensity, to coast toward the finish line. But great educators know that the last days of school hold powerful opportunities.
These closing days, hours and moments are where learning can solidify, confidence can bloom, and relationships can be strengthened. The lessons taught in the final weeks are not āextraā, they are essential steps in the journey. They reinforce perseverance, model commitment, and show students that every day counts. When we teach with purpose until the very last bell, we send a clear message that learning and growth doesnāt have an expiration date.
Think about the structure of a strong lesson. The closure isnāt an afterthought. Closure is where students synthesize their learning, make meaning, and connect ideas. Without it, the lesson feels incomplete. In the same way, the end of the school year serves as the closure to months of instruction. Itās our opportunity to help students reflect, consolidate their understanding, and recognize how far theyāve come. Skipping or softening this final phase risks leaving learning fragmented rather than fully formed.
Ending strong doesnāt require grand gestures; itās about maintaining high expectations, meaningful engagement, and a belief that our efforts still matter, because they do. By playing the long game, we ensure that our students donāt just cross the finish line, but do so with momentum, pride, and a clear sense of the learning they carry forward.
Maintain the momentum in May and play the long game because your impact is greater than your exhaustion.
Finish strong, my friends.
š Spotlight on Instructional Excellence
Reflections on a Productive April
April has been a powerhouse month for professional growth across our region. Here is a look back at the milestones we hit:
Spotlight on Structured Literacy
Great things are happening with Structured Literacy in our Districts!
NM PED Model School Designations
First Year Model Schools
- Central Elementary ā Cobre
- San Lorenzo Elementary ā Cobre
- Bayard Elementary ā Cobre
- Reserve Elementary ā Reserve
Second Year Model Schools
- Hurley Elementary ā Cobre
These schools were selected based on student proficiency and growth, along with the implementation of evidence-based practices that are moving the schools towards sustainable systems as a Model School.
Structured Literacy Support Schools
- Animas Elementary ā Animas Public Schools
- Sierra Elementary- Truth or Consequences Municipal Schools
Congratulations to everyone for your continued focus on literacy and creating enriching learning opportunities for your students!
Spotlight on Structured Literacy
Watch as Cobre shares their excitement for success in Structured Literacy.
Click the play button in the video above to watch within the newsletter.
Upcoming Trainings
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SPED Leadership Academy
Date: 5/7/26 | 2:00-3:30
Presenter: Lorie Gerkey
Location: Virtual (Directors)
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Register Now
SWREC Leadership Academy
Date: 5/11/26 | 12:00-3:30
Presenter: SWREC Instructional Staff
Location: SWREC Room
*Lunch provided, includes monthly executive coaching
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New Teacher Mentor Program Reception
Date: 5/14/26 | 12:00 PM
Location: Southwest Regional Education Cooperative
*Members of Mentor Program only
š¾ District Spotlight: Demingās STEM Excellence
Wildcats Make Powerful Debut at Miner Mayhem
Deming High School MESA made a massive splash in their first-ever appearance at the 2026 Miner Mayhem Robotics Tournament. Competing against over 150 teams at New Mexico Tech, our Wildcats proved they belong on the big stage:
- 3rd Place (MESA Outlaw): Seniors Nathaniel Barron and Xavier Lozano showcased elite engineering and strategy.
- 5th Place (MESA Sheriff): Freshmen Joerryc Merlin and Junior Chloe Merlin demonstrated incredible precision and teamwork.
For a first-year team, these accomplishments are remarkable and reflect the growing STEM culture at DHS.
Addison Schulke Selected for Prestigious STEM Trip
Congratulations to DHS MESA President Addison Schulke! Addison was one of only 20 students statewide selected for the 2026 Senior Incentive Field Trip (SIFT).
This prestigious honor took her to Nashville, TN, and Huntsville, AL, to explore world-class innovation hubs and NASA facilities. Her selection highlights her standing as one of the finest student leaders in New Mexico. We take great pride in having such an outstanding representative for Deming!
Leading the Way in Science Education
Deming Public Schools is expanding its leadership in science instruction through the Building Science Leaders Network (BSLN). Led by Dr. John Valdes and a growing team of educators, the district is making strides in:
- Vertical Alignment: Ensuring science curriculum flows seamlessly from elementary through high school.
- Instructional Strategies: Implementing science "notebooking" to strengthen literacy within STEM.
- Collaboration: Expanding the team to include instructional coaches and math educators to ensure equitable learning for all students.
"It is truly great to be a Wildcat!" ā DHS MESA Advisors
š¾ District Spotlight: DHS Welding & CTE
Welding Excellence: From CAD Design to Cost-Benefit Analysis
At Deming High School, Mr. Ronald Tharp and his welding students are bridging the gap between classroom theory and industry reality. By embedding College and Career Readiness Standards into a high-stakes projectābuilding a custom smoker for the DHS Culinary Arts departmentāstudents are gaining mastery in modern manufacturing.
The Workflow: Students begin with Computer-Aided Design (CAD), using software like Fusion 360 to create 3D files. These designs are then loaded into CAM software to generate toolpaths for CNC machines, precisely cutting the steel plating needed for the build.
Beyond technical skills, the project incorporates essential business logic. Once complete, students will conduct a full cost-benefit analysis for materials and labor. Looking ahead, this cross-departmental partnership will expand to include marketing and supply-chain analysis as Culinary Arts begins their phase of the project. This is real-world learning at its finest!
SWREC Staff Spotlight
Erica Reyes, Finance Director
This month, we are proud to shine a light on the person behind our numbers: our Finance Director, Erica.
Though born in Phoenix, Arizona, Erica is a true local who has called Deming, New Mexico, home for her entire life. Her journey to the SWREC is a unique blend of financial expertise and a heart for service. Before stepping into the world of educational finance, Erica spent a decade in the banking industry, honing her sharp eye for detail and fiscal management.
On August 1, 2017, she "plunged" into a new chapter, initially serving as our Vocational Transition Specialist. Her background in businessābolstered by both a Bachelorās degree in General Business and a Masterās in Business Administration (MBA) from Western New Mexico Universityāmade her a natural fit for leadership.
On January 3, 2018, Erica stepped into the role of Finance Director. Since then, she has navigated our cooperative's financial landscape with precision and dedication. We are incredibly lucky to have her expertise and her deep roots in our community guiding the way!