CORE Project Director

Rocio Benedicto

e-mail: rojustus@nmsu.edu

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.

CORE Math and Reading Specialists

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!

e-mail: fmarrufo@nmsu.edu

Filicity Valle

Filicity Valle is a passionate educator who shares her love for learning with students and teachers throughout the state of New Mexico. Mrs. Valle has taught for over ten years in 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade inclusion classrooms with the Las Cruces Public School District.  She obtained a Level III Master Teacher Licensure in the state of New Mexico and holds a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education and a Masters Degree in Teaching Mathematics. Filicity has contributed to her home district by designing Curriculum Guides and other materials for Common Core Standards in Mathematics and Common Core Standards in English Language Arts. She has also worked with New Mexico State University to plan and provide professional education in math and reading for k-3 teachers throughout the state. Filicity is a highly regarded teacher who always places students and learning at the center of education and strives to build strong professional relationships. 

Jana Ward

Jana Ward is a Reading and Math Education Specialist with the CORE Project at New Mexico State University.  She has worked in New Mexico classrooms for the last 10 years, with the bulk of her time spent teaching 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade inclusion classrooms.  Mrs. Ward holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, and a Master’s Degree in Teaching Mathematics, both from New Mexico State University.  She has experience designing math curriculum for MC2 Summer Math Labs for 2nd and 3rd grade children, facilitating week-long summer mathematics academies for k-3 Teachers in developing math content knowledge and instructional strategies for primary classrooms, and leading online virtual learning communities for teachers.  She has presented at numerous Regional and National conferences, including the New Mexico STEM Symposium, NMCTM, and the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics in Baltimore, to promote effective instruction strategies and techniques.  Mrs. Ward was featured in the book, Beyond Good Teaching, Advancing Mathematics Instruction for ELLs, and has also been published in the journal, Teaching Children Mathematics.  In 2015, Jana received the Dr. Sandra K. Nakamura Professional Development Excellence Award for Las Cruces Public Schools.    

e-mail: janac@nmsu.edu

e-mail: smaynes@nmsu.edu

Susan Maynes 

​Susan Maynes has been an educator in the Las Cruces public schools for more than 26 years. In that time, she has taught in grades 2-7, and has gained experience working in the bilingual and inclusion classrooms. Maynes, who holds Level III licensure with the state of New Mexico, also served six years as an elementary math interventionist at University Hills elementary school.  In her career with the public schools, Maynes has become a leader for her colleagues, and has provided professional development and mentoring within her building.
An alumnus of NMSU, Maynes received her Bachelor’s in Elementary Education in 1989 and a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction in 1992.  She has a passion for education in the public schools; her goal has always been to explore best practices that enable students to learn to use their minds and bodies in the most productive ways, and she sees her work with CORE as an opportunity to continue to serve New Mexico’s students.

Zaira Falliner

Zaira brings an extensive and unique qualifications and experience to the CORE team. As a highly qualified  bilingual educator she taught in the Las Cruces Public School District with a variety of bilingual models including a two-way dual language setting and transitional models. She has worked  with a cadre of exceptional teachers in a top performing New Mexico elementary schools. Ms. Falliner has received a Bachelors Degree in Bilingual Education with Endorsements in K-8 English Language Arts and TESOL. She has also received a Master's 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 with a focus on Early Mathematics Education.  Ms. Falliner has planned and developed curriculum in mathematics for research at New Mexico State University with Mathematically Connected Communities. 

e-mail: zfalline@nmsu.edu

CORE Coaches