It is a tragedy that New Mexico consistently ranks last in education and child well-being. If children are our future, what do these statistics say about the future of New Mexico? Classrooms are now filled with mandatory state testing and “boxes” to fill. We need to let teachers teach. Teachers are underpaid, overregulated, and then unfairly made responsible for the educational failures of our youth.

It is time for Santa Fe politicians to stop driving a broken education model and start empowering educators with the tools and resources they need to equip our youth. Our greatest reward comes from the greatest investment made. It is time for New Mexico to make meaningful investments to change our education system. Teachers should not be employed at a “bargain” rate in our State. Our educators hold the key to New Mexico’s future. I support empowering educators and our local school boards to make decisions that are best for the children of Lea County.