Title: Independent Contractor

Expertise: Curriculum identification & implementation, federal program support, professional development design and delivery, facilitation for collaboration, long range planning and implementation

Professional Biography: I have been an educator for 33+ years. My classroom experience includes general education and special education at the elementary level with early childhood and TESOL endorsements. Two years of my teaching experience was in Fruitland, NM at a school with 100% Native American students and one year in Lima, Peru teaching Native Peruvian students.  As a leader in education, my experience includes, instructional coach, Title I support for elementary, middle and high school administration, support for federally funded after school programs, reading intervention at middle and high school and Title I funded parent/family liaison support.  I achieved my National Board Certification in 2007 and renewed that certification in 2016. I moved to the New Mexico Public Education Department: Instructional Material Bureau (NMPED: IMB) where I worked to improve the Instructional Material Summer Review Institute and the identification of high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) for teachers and students of New Mexico. While working at the NMPED, I was part of a team that coordinated with various state departments across the USA to identify, select and implement HQIM. That work included interfacing with leaders in sixteen state departments (Louisiana, Nebraska, Mississippi, Massachusetts are just a few) and in the education field in the forefront of the HQIM and high-quality professional development (HQPD) movement. I have worked with experts at EdReports, School Kit, TNTP, Instruction Partners, Achieve the Core, English Language Success Forum, Unbound Ed and many others.  My final task before retiring from the NMPED was to champion a rule change implementing HQPD for the teachers of New Mexico. Since retiring in November of 2023, I have been privileged to work with a New Mexico charter school to develop a cohesive and comprehensive ELA and Math curriculum, rubrics and assessments. This led to the development of clear credit acquisition guidance for a challenging student population. This work feeds my passion to lighten the load of the classroom teacher, school administration and district personnel to ensure that all students have access to a high-quality education.

Please contact me at dmarquez.consulting@gmail.com

Monica Aguilar is a retired educator and currently the Manager of Recruitment for the Golden Apple Foundation. She is from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and comes from a family of educators who have all worked within the Albuquerque Public School District. She met her husband while attending the University of New Mexico. They have two children: their son, Santiago, lives and works in Scottsdale, Arizona, and received his Bachelor’s degree from Beloit College in Wisconsin; their daughter, Emily, plays soccer and attends the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs. Her husband, Chris, is a Supervising Federal Probation Officer with the United States Courts for the District of New Mexico.

Monica received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Mathematics from the University of New Mexico, and her Master of Arts degree in Educational Leadership from New Mexico Highlands University. Monica has over 26 years of experience working in an educational setting, 20 of which have been at Mark Armijo Academy (formerly Nuestros Valores Charter School). She was a teacher within Albuquerque Public Schools prior to working at Mark Armijo Academy and was a professor for the Alternative Licensure Program at Central New Mexico Community College.

Monica strongly believes access to resources and opportunities is essential in helping improve the lives of children and families. She is passionate about the community she calls home and strives to ensure all students succeed. Monica is dedicated to her community, education, and family. She is an active community member and has served on the Governance Board at South Valley Preparatory Charter School in Albuquerque. She is connected to many organizations that align with her values and beliefs. Some of the organizations she has collaborated with include Youth Development, Inc., New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence, Working Classroom, League of Latin American Citizens, Friends of Mark Armijo Academy, and the Alamosa Neighborhood Association.

Monica enjoys spending time with her family and friends by watching movies, traveling, and boating. Family time is an essential part of Monica’s life, along with focusing on a healthy lifestyle. She loves to exercise, especially running, biking, and hiking. You can find Monica supporting local businesses by sipping coffee and reading a book at her favorite local coffee shops.

Please contact Monica at monica@markarmijo.com