For Lynala Nakai, an early childhood instructional coach with Central Region Educational Cooperative (CREC) and Mentor Network Lead in Farmington, New Mexico, mentorship is about showing up for people.

After four years as a mentor, Lynala stepped into the Lead role this year, bringing her experience as an instructional coach to support educators in monthly group meetings. From the start, her goal was to create room for mentees to lead themselves. “We weren’t going to be the ones doing the majority of the talking,” she says. “We wanted them to present, build confidence, and get to know one another.”

That philosophy carries into her one-on-one work, too. When a mentee was going through a difficult time mid-semester, Lynala kept showing up, sending resources, following up, and kept checking in. “You’re almost done. You’re doing the best you can. Keep going,” she told her. The mentee finished the semester.

For Lynala, the best part of the Network is the relationships it builds and the reminder to keep learning.”Just be open minded,” she says. “We’re so caught up in our own teaching strategies, but we don’t always think about how other teachers are modifying their lessons and what we can learn from them.”

Join the Mentor Network.

This spring, Early Childhood Networks and Scholarship and Pay Incentive program staff attended conferences and returned with valuable insights to strengthen their work.

NMAEYC Annual Conference | April 10-11, 2026 | Albuquerque

Staff presented on how programs support recruitment, retention, and professional growth of early childhood educators. 

Key takeaways: educators valued scholarship support for completing degrees, while concerns emerged regarding the recognition of work experience and barriers to higher education.

National Early Childhood Workforce Convening | April 13-17, 2026 | Chapel Hill, NC

Staff presented statewide educator support programs, including mentorship, scholarships, wage supplements, and professional networks. 

Key takeaways: New Mexico is seen as a national leader in early childhood investment, with attendees interested in how the state funds its programs.

ECECD Multilingual Convening | April 16-17, 2026 | Albuquerque 

The third annual convening brought together educators and stakeholders to discuss the needs of multilingual programs. Staff presented bilingual support programs, and Infant-Toddler Teacher Network Lead Diana Bravo participated in a panel. 

Key takeaways: strong program interest, with feedback on accessibility and inclusion to inform future program planning. In early childhood education, learning never stops. Get support with mentorship and professional growth: Early Childhood Networks

In early childhood education, learning never stops. Get support with mentorship and professional growth: Early Childhood Networks

On April 25th, Early Childhood Networks held its End-of-Year Celebration at four locations across New Mexico: Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Farmington, and Las Cruces. Educators from the Mentor, Infant-Toddler Teacher, Directors, and Home-based Providers networks came together over breakfast to mark the close of a strong program year.

Members from across the state connected live via Zoom as program highlights, member recognition, and updates were shared. With 225 members in 2025–26, the Early Childhood Network continues to grow as a statewide community where early childhood professionals find support, mentorship, and real connection with colleagues who understand their work.

It was a morning done right: food, colleagues, and a chance to close out the year together.

The Early Childhood Director Network is a supportive community for early childhood leaders across New Mexico. It offers professional development, peer connection, and practical support that directors can use right away. For Dr. Robin Goodnight, Executive Director of Little Flower Learning Center in Albuquerque, and a Lead Director in the Network, it’s a place to both share and learn.

“Part of my philosophy is that my staff is my first priority, they’re my customers,” she says. “I share my strategies with the Network and also learn what others are doing to support staff retention.”

Through applied learning and strong relationships, the Director Network helps directors build skills, grow as leaders, and connect with colleagues who understand the work. The result is a stronger, more supported early childhood workforce for New Mexico’s youngest learners.

The Director Network is seeking Leads: part-time leadership roles designed to support fellow early childhood center directors while growing your own professional skills. Step into a leadership role. Apply to be a Director Network Lead by June 1.

Applications for the Director Network are open until June 15. Apply today. 

Learn more about Lead positions and apply by June 1. 

Across New Mexico, Early Childhood Networks help educators connect, grow, and lead with confidence. Through professional development, mentorship, and peer support, the Networks provide the tools and relationships educators need to strengthen their practice and build lasting connections.

An upcoming professional development session, Infant & Toddler Development, is one example of how the Networks support educators. Led by Early Interventionist and Network Lead Julie Lutz, the session covers brain development, typical development for infants and toddlers, how to recognize developmental delays, and access resources for support. Julie will also share how she works alongside educators and families, listening, modeling strategies, and offering real-time support to improve outcomes for children and help teachers in the classroom.

Early Childhood Networks support members in many ways. Members can participate in the Mentor Network, Mentee Program, and Faculty Partnerships programs. They can also connect with peers through Infant-Toddler Teacher, Director, and Home-Based Provider Networks. Members also have opportunities to take on leadership roles and grow as leaders in their field.

These opportunities are just one of the many benefits of being part of Early Childhood Networks. Members gain ongoing learning, leadership development, and a strong community of peers. As one educator shared, “This opportunity has expanded my knowledge and helped me build meaningful relationships with other educators.”

By combining professional development with real connection, Early Childhood Networks strengthen New Mexico’s early childhood workforce and help educators make an even greater impact.

Learn more now at ecnetworks.org.

For Tenesha Betoni, early childhood education has always been personal. Now Director of Early Childhood Education at San Juan College, she found her passion early, caring for and teaching her younger sister, and later homeschooling her own children. Today, she is actively working toward her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on early childhood education at New Mexico State University.

As a Spoke Manager, Tenesha stepped into the role to make sure mentorship stayed strong in her region. Through the Early Childhood Networks, she connects students, mentors, and faculty. “It’s about making sure educators have someone to turn to,” she says. “That connection makes all the difference.”

Tenesha leads by listening. She makes time for teachers to talk, ask questions, and work through challenges. She knows the work can be emotional, and that educators often carry a lot each day. Creating a safe, supportive space helps her guide teachers to better support children.

Her work reflects the communities she serves. “In Farmington, you can’t enter or leave without driving through tribal lands,” she says. “If you come here, you’re going to go through a reservation.” For Tenesha, that means classrooms should reflect the children and families in them — through culture, language, traditions, and lived experience. “Every child should feel seen in their classroom,” she says. It’s about listening to families, valuing their stories, and honoring all cultures and perspectives so every child feels seen and valued.

Her advice to new educators: think about what age group you want to teach and spend time in that classroom. “You have to feel it to know where you belong.”

Join the Early Childhood Networks

The New Mexico Association for the Education of Young Children (NMAEYC) Conference is New Mexico’s largest annual gathering focused on early childhood education. Each year, more than 1,000 educators, directors, and early childhood leaders come together for two days of learning, connection, and professional growth. This year’s conference will take place Friday and Saturday, April 10–11, 2026, at the University of New Mexico Student Union Building (SUB) in Albuquerque.

Infant Toddler Teacher Network Lead Teachers Tina Goodrick-Lee and Tracy Royer will present a session focused on social-emotional learning for infants and toddlers.

• Session Title: Social Emotional Learning for Infants and Toddlers
• This session explores how relationships, brain development, and emotional regulation shape early learning. Drawing on principles from Conscious Discipline, the presentation will examine how infants and toddlers rely on caring adults to help regulate emotions and build healthy brain architecture. 
• Saturday, April 11
• 9:30–10:30 AM
• SUB Room: Acoma B

For full conference details and registration, visit the NMAEYC website. 

For Laura Johnson, being part of the Early Childhood Mentor Network is more than professional growth — it’s about connection. “One of the best parts is sharing stories and realizing others are going through the same things,” Laura said. “It’s like our own language; if you’re not in early childhood, you just don’t get it.”

Laura has worked in education since 2003, both in private schools and with Albuquerque Public Schools. Now in her third year as a Lead Mentor with the Mentor Network, she holds an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education, a mentorship certificate, and is a state-certified Master Trainer.

As a Lead, Laura guides mentors, runs monthly meetings, and joins statewide leadership retreats. She says the support from her peers keeps her going: “Sometimes you need someone to believe in you when you don’t believe in yourself — to see the potential you didn’t know you had. That’s what the network gives me, and what I try to give others.”

Laura’s warmth and leadership reflect what the Mentor Network is all about: community, encouragement, and growing together.

Learn more about the Mentor Network.