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.

Early interventionists play a unique and essential role in supporting teachers, learners, and families, bridging expertise and care to help every child learn. In the Early Childhood Networks’ Infant-Toddler Teacher Network, Lead Teacher Julie Lutz models an approach built on teamwork, trust, and shared goals.

With more than two decades as a developmental specialist, Julie sees her work as a true educational partnership. “We’re not here to tell teachers how to do their jobs; we’re here to support them and work together,” she explains. In classrooms, that means collaborating with educators to adapt daily routines so that strategies benefit not just one child, but the entire group. For families, it’s about demystifying “early intervention” and showing how play, observation, and small adjustments can create big wins.

Julie’s approach starts with listening, inviting teachers and caregivers to share what’s going well, what’s challenging, and what strategies might help. From there, she models techniques, coaches caregivers, and celebrates progress alongside the team. “The most fun is when I get to witness the joy and confidence in both the child and the caregiver when they accomplish something new or hard-earned,” she says.

This fall and next spring, Julie will co-present professional development sessions to deepen understanding of early intervention and strengthen educator collaboration, supporting more moments of shared joy, confidence, and growth.

Details on the fall and spring professional development series will be shared soon. In the meantime, learn more about the Infant-Toddler Teacher Network and how it connects and supports early childhood educators.

Early Childhood Networks programs are reshaping how early childhood educators in New Mexico connect, grow, and lead. Funded by the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department and administered by CNM Ingenuity, the programs provide mentorship, reflective practice, leadership development, and peer support to strengthen skills and build confidence.

The impact is clear. In the most recent annual evaluation, 92% of Network members reported overall satisfaction, 84% said they’ve incorporated new skills into their work, and 87% agreed the network provides valuable opportunities to connect with peers.

Participants describe the experience as empowering. “The mentor network always offers support and encouragement… enough to help keep improving and learning,” shared one mentor. An infant-toddler teacher said, “I learn a lot of new ways that I can work with my kids in the classroom.” One director summed it up simply: “I just love this group.”

By combining dynamic learning experiences with a strong professional community, Early Childhood Networks is strengthening New Mexico’s early childhood workforce — helping educators expand their expertise and improving outcomes for young learners. Learn more and get involved at ecnetworks.org.

New Mexico’s Early Childhood Networks support early childhood educators through meaningful, peer-driven professional development. Educators gain access to training, coaching, and community, all guided by experienced leaders in key Network roles.

Each Network is led by a group of dedicated educators in Lead roles: Lead Mentor, Lead Infant-Toddler Teacher, Lead Director, Lead Home-Based Provider, and Spoke Manager. These part-time leadership roles (5–15 hours/week) involve a variety of duties, such as facilitating monthly meetings, recruiting peers, providing professional guidance, and helping build strong Networks across the state. All Leads receive a generous stipend, ongoing training, and opportunities to grow their leadership skills. Bilingual educators are especially encouraged to apply.

Each leadership role offers a chance to make an impact while advancing your professional journey. Leadership meetings begin in July.

Apply today and lead the way!