Sandra Aaron

Sandra Aaron, has more than 27 years of public education service in the state of New Mexico. Her work spans a broad range--early childhood, general education classroom teacher, special education head teacher, co-teacher and director, high school college guidance counselor, and now CORE Coach. Sandra has provided leadership, staff training, and oversight implementing special education inclusion programs at Bernalillo High School in the town of Bernalillo and South Valley Academy charter school in the South Valley of Albuquerque. A significant strength is the commitment to differentiated instruction and advocacy for at risk students that she brings to school settings. Her credentials include M.A. Multi-cultural Special Education, College of Santa Fe; M.A. Art Therapy, University of Louisville; and B.S.Ed. Art Education, Georgia Southern College. Additionally, Sandra is a certified Rehabilitation Counselor. She holds the distinction of being among the first cadre of special education teachers participating in a NMPED initiative for training Transition Specialists over 20 years ago. In 2009, while at South Valley Academy Sandra began the work of developing, implementing and establishing the school’s first college guidance program which required particular strategies for addressing the needs of minority and first-generation college bound youth. In 2018, ACT bestowed the honor of New Mexico K-12 ACT Champion of the Year to Sandra in recognition of advances made in creating initiatives at SVA that focused on increasing student access and scores on college entrance exams. Sandra is eager to collaborate with teachers and schools participating in the CORE Project to continue making strides in classrooms on behalf of New Mexico’s most vulnerable students.

 

When asked to reflect on her professional achievements, she is quick to tell stories about her students’ accomplishments. One of her favorite high school students, who has dyslexia and dysgraphia, is now a teacher at a charter school and inspiring young minds. Her passion continues to be to make a difference in the lives of others and she is proud to be a part of CORE.