New Mexico’s Professional Development Information System

Jennifer Brower on August 17, 2026

Word Scramble Answers:

  1. LNEROL_____________
  2. LSDANECTIER _____________
  3. GNIAINTR_____________
  4. SEWAG_____________
  5. ISDP _____________
  1. ENROLL
  2. CREDENTIALS
  3. TRAINING
  4. WAGES
  5. Professional Development Information System (PDIS)

The Professional Development Information System (PDIS) is a free online platform that lets early childhood professionals track their education, credentials, required training, and wages in one place.

Who needs to enroll? Everyone working in Child Care, NM PreK, Home Visiting, and FIT programs, including directors, administrators, and staff members.

Create your profile here to link your background check and begin tracking your professional goals.

For support, email [email protected] or visit the FAQ page for more details.

A Different Kind of Strength

Jennifer Brower on August 17, 2026

When Eugenio Nava began his path in early childhood education, he was often the only man in the room. Teaching in Spanish, where “maestra” is the default term for teacher, he initially felt like his identity didn’t quite fit the mold. But that discomfort didn’t last: within two weeks of working with children, he was hooked. “I fell in love with this career,” he says.

That commitment didn’t erase the challenges. At times, Eugenio sensed that some parents questioned whether a man could nurture and teach their children as well as a woman could. “I came to understand that, as a man and a teacher, I can see each child for who they are, understand what they need, and encourage them to learn,” Eugenio says. “That is my strength, and knowing that has helped me become more resilient.”

Eugenio, who now teaches in a mixed pre-K classroom at Kids Campus, a laboratory school at Santa Fe Community College, believes men have an important role in early childhood education. “I’m a man, but I’m sensitive. I’m a man, but I can support kids through their emotions,” he says. He sees himself not as an exception, but as part of a team whose members bring different strengths to the classroom. His bilingual teaching team includes one man and one woman. “We’re a complete team. We complement each other perfectly,” he says.

Raised in a culture that taught men not to show emotion, Eugenio now models something different for the children and families he works with: strength built on attentiveness and patience.

His advice to anyone considering the field, no matter who they are: “If you feel a connection with kids, you can do this. Don’t be afraid.”

Fall Fun for Little Learners: New Mexico Events Calendar

Jennifer Brower on August 17, 2026

As temperatures start to cool, New Mexico is filling up with fun fall activities for children and families. From weekly story times to seasonal markets and mazes, here’s your calendar for events happening across the state this season.

DateEventLocation
Every MondayToddler TimeExplora, Albuquerque
Every WednesdayWee WednesdaysChildren’s Museum, Santa Fe
Every ThursdaySeeds & SproutsChildren’s Museum, Santa Fe
August 18-23Roosevelt County FairPortales
August 19-23Catron County FairReserve, NM
August 23-30Valencia County FairBelen
September 3-7Bi-County FairPrewitt, NM
August 27-28Building Bridges: Neurodivergent Workshop for families and educatorsSilver City 
Saturdays through SeptemberMovies in the Park Las Cruces
September 10-20New Mexico State FairAlbuquerque
September 23-27Grant County FairCliff, NM
September 26New Mexico Children’s Book FairAlbuquerque
Saturdays through October Farmington Growers’ Market Farmington
Saturdays through SeptemberDowntown Makers’ MarketFarmington
September 24 through October 23Mesilla Valley MazeLas Cruces
September through November Big Jim Farms Albuquerque
April through October El Rancho de Las GolondrinasSanta Fe 
October 5-10Eastern New Mexico State FairRoswell
October 6-11Sierra County FairTruth or Consequences
April through November Downtown Growers’ MarketAlbuquerque 

Mentor Network Adds More One-on-One Support

Jennifer Brower on August 17, 2026

Great teaching is never static. Educators pay attention to what is working, make adjustments, and try new approaches to better support learning. The same is true of professional development.

This year, the Mentor Network is adding one-on-one meetings to provide mentors with more direct support. Mentors will meet individually with their cohort leads each month from September through November and again from February through April.

The meetings will give mentors space to ask questions, talk through challenges, and discuss how things are going with their mentees.

“We want mentors to feel comfortable opening up about what is happening, what they need, and how we can better support them,” said Yadira Lorenzoni, senior program manager. “The leads can then bring the common themes they hear into the professional learning community (PLC) meetings so everyone can learn from them.”

For example, if mentors are struggling with difficult conversations or similar classroom situations, cohort leads can bring resources and discussion questions to the larger group without sharing anyone’s personal experiences.

The one-on-one conversations will also help cohort leads plan PLC meetings around what mentors are experiencing in real time. The change is designed to strengthen relationships and make the support mentors receive more useful.

Interested in joining? Learn more about the Mentor Network here.