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Today, we are celebrating a major milestone—our 7th anniversary! While the number 7 is often considered lucky, in New Mexico, luck is signified by the roadrunner. More than just a symbol of luck, our state bird is also an example of resilience, adaptability, and progress.
Making meaningful changes to state policy has been a challenge, but like the roadrunner, we have adapted, persevered, and kept moving forward to bring change to the Land of Enchantment.
As I reflect on the past seven years, I am proud to share seven highlights that demonstrate how we have kept running forward:
1. Serving as a Beacon of Truth
Over the past seven years, new and old challenges have tested the strength of our education system. From changes in state leadership to the once-in-a-lifetime pandemic, and constant turnover at the Public Education Department, NewMexicoKidsCAN has remained a constant beacon of information and truth.
We have fought to preserve systems of student data, remained vocal and unapologetic about the realities of learning loss and the urgency of pandemic recovery, and worked tirelessly to equip parents with the knowledge and tools they need to support their children’s academic progress.
2. Building a Community of Changemakers
Now in its fourth year, the Changemakers Fellowship, in partnership with Excellent Schools New Mexico, has brought together over 100 business and community leaders to deepen their understanding of our education system and inspire change.
3. Elevating Stories of Progress
With four semesters/seasons of episodes, our New Mexico Rising podcast shares the inspiring stories of leaders, educators, and parents working to improve education in New Mexico. Available on Apple, Spotify, and anywhere else you get your podcasts, these stories continue to spark conversations and inspire hope.
4. Supporting Albuquerque Public Schools in Emerging Stronger
As the largest school district in New Mexico, Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) has long been recognized for its size, though rarely as an example of progress and best practice. In recent years, however, APS has made a profound shift, acting with focus and urgency to improve New Mexico’s largest school district. With strong leadership on the school board and in the superintendency, we supported the district in implementing its Emerging Stronger Strategic Plan and the adoption of student-outcomes-focused governance (SOFG). APS is now leading the way and the leadership of the district has inspired the implementation of strategic plans and SOFG in districts across New Mexico.
5. Expanding Public School Choice
Together with partners, we advocated for the growth and development of quality public school options for New Mexico students. From supporting the expansions of excellent schools like Albuquerque Collegiate and East Mountain High School to supporting the opening of new high-quality charters such as Thrive Community School and Equip Academy of New Mexico (and many, many others), we help ensure students have access to high-quality schools that are best for them.
6. Launching the No More Lines Campaign
Our recent No More Lines campaign highlights the inequities created by attendance zones. We know assigning schools based on a student’s address–though convenient–creates massive opportunity gaps in our public schools. Join us in imagining a school system without lines.
7. Advocating for Change in the Roundhouse
Despite the challenges of changing our state’s laws, we continue to make progress, in the Roundhouse. From preventing a return to a state school board in 2023 and 2024 to passing a bill to require transparent reporting of school-level budgets in 2020, and the successful passage of HB 481, which established the Reading Materials Fund in 2023, our efforts are driving statewide change.
In case you missed it, we recently announced our 2025 policy priorities. Read more here and be sure to join our VIP Advocate Team to receive live updates and opportunities to make a difference.
While we celebrate our growth and progress over the past seven years, we know this is just the beginning. Like the roadrunner, we must keep moving forward. Together, we can ensure every New Mexico student has access to the high-quality education they deserve.
Join us in celebrating this milestone and help us keep moving forward.
Thank you for being part of our journey. Here’s to the next seven years of resilience, progress, and hope—together!