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.”