CORE Project Director
Rocio Benedicto
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Rocio Benedicto is a Mathematics Educator with the Institute for Math and Science Education (IEMSE) at New Mexico State University. She has been a teacher of English Language Learners for more than 20 years in K-12 and university classrooms in the United States as well as in Mexico and Russia. In the last 10 years her work has focused on assisting teachers in improving their mathematics instruction for English Language Learners in New Mexico through coaching, mentoring or modeling inquiry based lessons. As part of a statewide initiative to improve mathematics education in New Mexico she has successfully worked with districts to improve the outcomes for their math students, specifically the outcomes for English Language Learners in the math classroom. Additionally, she has instructed in New Mexico State University’s Teacher Education Program, Bilingual Education program and Educational Development of Learning Technologies program. In 2008, Ms. Benedicto was recognized as one of the National Science Foundation’s Promising Young Researchers. Ms. Benedicto has presented at many conferences in the United States and in Mexico in an effort to bring light to the issues and challenges that English Language Learners face in the math classroom.
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CORE Project Assistant Director
Zaira Falliner
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As a highly-qualified bilingual educator, Zaira has taught through a variety of bilingual models including a two-way dual language settings and transitional models. She has worked with a cadre of exceptional teachers in top performing New Mexico elementary schools. She has planned and developed curriculum in mathematics for research at New Mexico State University. Ms. Falliner obtained Bachelors Degree in Bilingual Education with Endorsements in K-8 English Language Arts and TESOL. She has also earned a Masters Degree in Teaching Mathematics through a program which pairs mathematics, curriculum and instruction as a framework for best practices, She is currently pursuing a Doctoral Degree in Educational Technologies and Educational Leadership.
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Greg Howell
Greg Howell has worked in the field of education for the last 16 years and has had the pleasure of serving students and communities in a variety of ways. Currently he is serving as a Reading and Math Education Specialist with the CORE Project at New Mexico State University. Greg’s service to New Mexico students began as a school level Administrator for Las Cruces Public School before joining the CORE team. Greg received his Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Kentucky and his Master’s Degree in Education Leadership from Eastern Kentucky University. He began his career in Kentucky classrooms by serving as a 2nd grade homeroom teacher as well as a Science Lab teacher for grades K-5. He has experience as a building level Science coach as well as several administrative roles. In 2009, Greg was honored to be selected as a Turnaround Specialist for the Kentucky Department of Education before making his move to New Mexico. Throughout his career, Greg has developed a deeper understanding of the importance of how quality instruction can make a huge impact on students’ lives. He has a passion for working with and learning from fellow educators who impact students’ lives every day!
CORE Math and Reading Specialists
Camille Larrieu
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Camille Larrieu is currently working with the CORE Project at New Mexico State University as a Reading and Math Specialist. She has served New Mexico’s students and educators as a classroom teacher and instructional coach in the Rio Rancho and Santa Fe Public School systems for 18 years. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Education with a TESOL Endorsement and a master’s degree in Curriculum Development Specializing in Early Childhood Education Ages Birth to Eight. Ms. Larrieu has had extensive training in the ELA, Common Core State Standards with the Reading and Writing Project through Columbia University. She is highly qualified in Early Literacy and is currently an instructor with the Early Childhood Education Department at the Santa Fe Community College. These experiences gave her a good foundation in understanding how children learn to read and write and oftentimes, how to unlearn things that are not helpful. She is devoted to collaborating with educators to strengthen instructional practices to support learning outcomes for all children.
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Veronica Acosta-Everhart
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Veronica Acosta-Everhart is one of the CORE Specialists at NMSU. Ms. Acosta-Everhart has over 20 years of experience in the education field. She began as a bilingual education teacher working with the diverse NM population of students grades k-5. She later became an assistant principal and worked with at risk students and families to promote positive learning environments in school and in the home. As she continues her work focusing on educating students to be life-long learners and leaders, her passion and interest in working with students with exceptionalities lead her to become an educational diagnostician and an Irlen Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome Director. Combining her interest, experience, and passion for learning, she is able to offer a wide range of educational practices and instructional strategies for teachers working with our children.
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CORE Coaches
Denise Briggs
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Denise Briggs graduated with Honors from NMSU in December of 1989 and was named the College of Education Outstanding Senior. She earned her Masters Degree in Special Education with Gifted emphasis from NMSU in 2010. She was employed with Las Cruces Public Schools from 1990-2016. During her tenure with Las Cruces Public Schools she was a classroom teacher, an Advanced Educational Services Facilitator, and an Instructional Specialist. She retired from LCPS in 2016. Currently she is an Instructional Coach with CORE (Collaborating for Outstanding Readiness in Education). Ms. Briggs has been the recipient of many awards including the Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce Crystal Apple Education Award, NMSU Teaching Academy's Wall of Honor, Las Cruces Public Schools Teacher of the Year Finalist, the Legislature of the State of New Mexico Outstanding Achievement Award, two PDK Excellence in Education Awards, and a New Mexico Research and Study Council Quality Education Award.
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Laura Shepardson
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Laura Shepardson has been committed to optimizing student successes as life-long learners for 36 years.
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Patrick SwopePatrick Swope has been an “educator artist” for nearly 30 years now. He taught 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade at McCoy Elementary School for over 25 years, and he looped from 1st grade to 2nd grade five times. Pat was nominated for Educator of the Year twice through Aztec’s Chamber of Commerce, and his strengths include writing instruction, technology integration, and classroom management. He received his Master’s in Elementary Education through UNM. As a CORE Coach, his new passion is helping other “educator artists” by building positive relationships, collaborating, and giving the teachers the tools they need to help their students succeed.
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