Bobbie Gutierrez currently serves as the NM State Director for New Mexico. Bobbie’s undergraduate work in early childhood education and elementary education was through Texas Tech University and Corpus Christi State University.  Bobbie holds a master’s degree from the University of New Mexico in Educational Leadership.

Bobbie is the former Superintendent of Santa Fe Public Schools and served the Espanola Public Schools.  Bobbie currently enjoys her work with the RECs, serves on numerous committees as the member representative for the RECs and spends a fair amount of time at the Legislature and monitoring or attending committee meetings.  Bobbie is married and has two sons and five grandchildren that inspire her daily. 

Education & Background: Kelley Alsup was inspired by their mother to pursue a career in education.  Kelley grew up in Roswell, NM, and graduated from Goddard High School in 1991.  She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a minor in English and Secondary Education from Eastern New Mexico University in 1996, and a Master of Arts degree in Education with an emphasis in Special Education/Assessment and a minor in Educational Psychology from New Mexico State University in 1998. Kelley obtained their Administrative Licensure in 2016.

Experience: Kelley began their career as an Educational Diagnostician in the Roswell Schools.  After 17 years, she joined Pecos Valley REC 8 as a Special Education Program Specialist.  Kelley became the Deputy Director and later the Executive Director of PVREC 8 in 2020.  She is now in her 28th year in education.

Maria L. Jaramillo has been the Executive Director of the Central Region Educational Cooperative (REC 5) since 2011 and has worked with CREC since 1993.  She began her career as a speech language pathologist and co-owned private practice. At CREC, she has held various support roles and leadership positions, including NMCEL and RECA President, and serves on several educational councils.  She believes in supporting member school districts by providing educational resources and services.  Maria lives in NM with her husband, two children, and five grandchildren.

Valerie Brea is the Executive Director of the Southwest Regional Education Cooperative (SWREC) 10.  With 29 years of experience in education, she has served as a special education teacher, reading coach, principal, and Special Education Director.  She holds two master's degrees and various educational licenses.  For the past 13 years, she has focused on professional development for teachers, coaching principals, and supporting special education in New Mexico.

Valerie graduated from Taos High School in 1993 and holds a bachelor's degree in Elementary and Special Education from New Mexico Highlands University, as well as a master's degree in education leadership from the University of New Mexico.

Valerie's career began at Casa de Corazon in Taos, followed by teaching and coaching roles at Taos Middle School and Taos High School.  She later moved to Santa Fe, where she taught at Agua Fria and Pinon elementary schools and served as assistant principal at Capshaw Middle School. Valerie was also the Superintendent of Schools in Questa and Taos.

April currently serves as the acting Executive Director for the Regional Education Cooperative #7, which collaborates with various school districts to enhance education quality through professional development and technical assistance focused on special education, literacy, STEM, and early childhood programs.

Professional Background: April has 32 years of service in special education, including 28 years as a Speech Language Pathologist. She has worked with visually impaired students and served in both Texas and New Mexico, providing therapy, evaluations, and participating in IEP/ARD meetings.