Science Literacy Coaches

The Science Literacy Coaches (SLCs) are licensed teachers and district employees who give on-site assistance and support to the teachers implementing the ISEC program. They teach model lessons, observe lessons, and share observations with the teachers, meet with groups of teachers, and assist in the data collection for the on-going ISEC evaluation.

Cohort 1:

Verna Hibner, Science Literacy Coach for E.T. Salazar Elementary School and Dixon Elementary School in the Española district, received her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from New Mexico State University (NMSU), a Master’s Degree in At Risk Youth from the College of Santa Fe, and a Master’s Degree in Leadership from New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU). Verna is a former kindergarten teacher and reading coach.

Isabel R. Jaramillo-Terrazas, Science Literacy Coach at the San Juan and Abiquiu Elementary Schools in the Española district, received a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Adams State College, Alamosa Colorado, and a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from NMHU. She was a Level III Teacher in Colorado and is currently a Level III Teacher in New Mexico with endorsements in Bilingual, TESOL, Reading, Modern and Classical Language, Level III Athletic Coach, and Level III Pre K–12 Administrative Licensure.

Sadie L. Martinez, Science Literacy Coach at the Alcalde, Chimayó, Mountain View, and Velarde Elementary Schools in the Española district, is a Level III Licensed Teacher with a Bachelor’s Degree K–8 education from the College of Santa Fe and a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Reading from NMHU, where she is currently doing an internship in Educational Leadership.

Staci Mascarenas, Science Literacy Coach/Administrative Intern at Peñasco Elementary, received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from NMHU and Master’s Degree in Curriculum & Instruction with an emphasis in Math & Science education from NMSU. She is a former elementary and middle school teacher.

Michael Miller, Science Literacy Coach for Amy Biehl Community School at Rancho Viejo in Santa Fe, graduated from NMHU with a B.A. in Elementary Education. Originally form Santa Fe, he was a teacher for 8 years and taught 4th and 5th grades.

Gina Terrazas, Science Literacy Coach for El Rito and Ojo Caliente Elementary Schools in the Mesa Vista district, received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from NMHU. She also received her Bilingual and TESOL endorsements from NMHU and a Reading endorsement from the Santa Fe Community College. Gina is a former teacher and Reading Coach.

Mollie S. Toll, Science Literacy Coach at Salazar Elementary in Santa Fe, received her B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Chicago, M.A in Archaeology from Loyola University in Chicago, and M.S. in Plant Ecology from the University of New Mexico (UNM). She is a former research laboratory director and outreach education specialist at the Museum of New Mexico and teacher/mentor for the Santa Fe Science Initiative.

Gwen Warniment, Science Literacy Coach for Aspen Community Magnet School in Santa Fe, received her B.A. in English and Spanish from the UNM, Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from NMHU, and is currently working on her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction through New NMSU. Her studies focus on critical pedagogy and science instruction. She has taught in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Los Alamos, and Oaxaca, MX. Her favorite part of school is recess.

Cohort 2:

Monica Archuleta, Science Literacy Coach at James H. Rodriguez Elementary and the Los Niños Kindergarten Center in the Española district, has a B.A. in Elementary Education from the College of Santa Fe. She also received an MA in Teaching Math and Science from New Mexico State University. Monica is currently enrolled in a doctorate program at UNM in Educational Leadership. The focus of her studies is leadership and rural math education. She has been a teacher in the Española Public School District for the last 11 years.

Patricia Fernandez, Science Literacy Coach at the Pojoaque Valley Intermediate School and the Pojoaque Valley Sixth Grade Academy, has been an Educator with New Mexico Schools since 1978. She has taught grades K–6 and has been a Bilingual Resource Teacher. She has also been the Director of Bilingual Education, Testing Coordinator, and Federal Programs Director. She received a Bachelor’s Degree from NMSU in Elementary and Bilingual Education and a Master’s Degree from UNM in Multicultural Education. Presently, she is a Level III teacher with endorsements in Bilingual and TESOL education.

Scarlett Scarafiotti, Science Literacy Coach at Sweeney Elementary School in Santa Fe, received a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education, Recreation, & Health from Eastern New Mexico University and a Master’s Degree from UNM in Therapeutic Recreation. Scarlett is certified with the National Council of Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and worked with traumatic brain injury and stroke patients. She received her teaching license from Regis University in Denver, Colorado where she taught elementary and middle school.

Delara Sharma, Science Literacy Coach for Piñon Elementary School in Santa Fe, received a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Sociology in India where she taught middle school English for six years. She taught 4th grade for 5 years in Houston, Texas where she was trained to be a Science Lead Teacher as part of an initiative funded by the National Science Foundation called Houston Urban Learning Initiatives in a Networked Community. She has taught 3rd, 5th, and 6th grades in Santa Fe and currently holds a New Mexico Level III K–8 license with a TESOL endorsement.

Yanira Vazquez, Science Literacy Coach at Tony E. Quintana and Hernandez Elementary in Española, received her B.S. in Psychology and Spanish from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst. She has a M.A. in Teaching Math and Science from NMSU. Yanira is currently enrolled in a doctorate program in Educational Leadership at UNM. She is also an instructor in the pre-service teacher program at Northern New Mexico College.