Arturo Meléndez Mendoza, a native of Santa María del Oro, Durango, Mexico, is an educator dedicated to his students' education and holistic development. In 2017, he completed his bachelor's degree in Elementary Education at the Profesor Carlos A. Carrillo Normal School. That same year, he began his teaching career, working in various regions of Durango—including mountainous areas and rural communities—where he gained valuable multicultural and pedagogical experience. His qualifications include recognition as a folk dance instructor and participation in various annual conferences organized by the *Instituto de Investigación y Difusión de la Danza Mexicana, A.C.* (IIDDMAC). He is also trained as a soccer coach, a role that allows him to foster physical activity and teamwork among his students. In 2024, he moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico, where he obtained a Level II state teaching license for elementary education. Since 2025, he has worked as a second-grade teacher at Raíces del Saber School, continuing his educational vocation and commitment to shaping future generations.

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amelendez@raicesdelsaber.org

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I’m Maria Balcazar Gonzalez, a fourth-grade dual language teacher at Raíces del Saber Xinachtli Community School. I grew up in Hatch, New Mexico, and graduated from Las Cruces High School. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in December 2025.

I came to Raíces by chance, but I stayed by choice. Now in my third year at the school, I am not only a staff member but also a parent of a child who attends Raíces. Teaching here has deepened my appreciation for culturally responsive education and the power of Indigenous knowledge systems.

One approach that has most inspired me is base-20 mathematics. Learning this system as a new tool for students has been both interesting and meaningful, and I enjoy finding ways to bring it into our classroom alongside Nahuatl language, cultural stories, and hands-on learning. I am committed to continuing my growth as an educator and creating learning experiences that help every student feel seen, capable, and proud of who they are.

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mgonzalezortega@raicesdelsaber.org

Roberto Moctezuma is a native of Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico, and is of Indigenous Aztec (Mexica) descent, tracing his lineage to the emperor Moctezuma. He immigrated to Las Cruces at the age of seven, where he has since built his life and community with his family.

Before entering education, Roberto dedicated over 20 years to the medical profession, serving in a variety of roles, including certified nurse assistant, patient care technician, medical assistant, hyperbaric oxygen technician, office manager, and EMT-I certified. His extensive healthcare experience reflects a long-standing commitment to service and community care.

In 2023, Roberto earned his Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from New Mexico State University. Since then, he has worked as an educator at Raíces del Saber Xinachtli Community School, where he continues to grow professionally while deepening his connection to his Indigenous knowledge and identity.

Through his work at Raíces, Roberto has collaborated with the NACA Inspired Schools Network (NISN) and has presented alongside his mentor, Carlos Aceves, on the school’s enrichment component, Xinachtli. He has shared this work at multiple venues, including the Bilingual Education Conference in Albuquerque, Tona Tierra, the University of Arizona, and the Tanko Institute.

Roberto is committed to continuing his growth as an educator and strives to create meaningful, culturally responsive learning experiences that empower all students to succeed academically and personally.

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rmoctezuma@riacesdelsaber.org

Gladislay Cerna

I am a dedicated Special Education Teacher at Raíces del Saber Charter School. My journey as an educator began in 2009, when I earned my bachelor’s degree in special education K–12 from Instituto Superior Pedagógico Raúl Gómez García in Guantánamo, Cuba. That same year, I began working as a special education teacher, supporting students with Down syndrome.

In 2011, I moved to the United States. Although starting my career again in a new country was challenging, I continued looking for opportunities to work with and support children and families. I worked as a teacher in different daycares and as a FIT Coordinator in Early Intervention. I also spent approximately five years working in the medical field as a phlebotomist and Certified Medical Assistant. Each of these experiences helped me grow personally and professionally and strengthened my desire to continue helping others.

I began working at Raíces del Saber in 2023, and it has become much more than a workplace for me; it is a community that I am proud to be part of. My connection to Raíces began even before I became an employee. My oldest daughter started attending Raíces in kindergarten, and I immediately fell in love with the school’s 90/10 bilingual model and its mission. When she started kindergarten, she spoke only English. By fifth grade, she could fluently speak, read, and write in both English and Spanish. Seeing her bilingual growth showed me the incredible impact that Raíces can have on students and families. Now my younger daughter started his school journey in kindergarten at Raices.

I work with students in grades K–5, supporting their academic, social, and emotional growth and helping them become confident and successful learners. I am passionate about creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment where every student feels valued, understood, and capable of reaching their goals. I especially enjoy working collaboratively with students, families, and teachers to provide the support each child needs to succeed.

As an educator, I would describe myself as hardworking, caring, supportive, dedicated, and a strong advocate for my students. One of my goals is to earn my master’s degree in special education and continue developing my knowledge and skills as an educator.

gcerna@raicesdelsaber.org

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Kayla Martinez, una mujer Indígena and Maestra de Arte at Raíces del Saber Xinachtli Community School, where I have been working since its opening in 2019. I have held many positions and worn many hats. To name a few, I started as an AmeriCorps Service Member the first year. The following year, 2020, I co-created and co-led the afterschool Tloke Nauoke with my colleague, Mrs. Anita Lara. In 2021, I became the first Maestra de Arte and have been teaching art ever since. This school year marks my 6th year of teaching, using my own curriculum and making connections to State Art Standards, the Xinachtli curriculum, and my students. When I am not teaching, I play in a local band called Papayas con Chile. I am a first-generation college graduate and Northern New Mexican. Growing up, I loved learning from my grandfather about remedios, as we would go out to harvest when the time was right and hear stories of our antepasados. I love participating in our tradiciones familiares and being in nature. Learning to speak my family's language has been one of my greatest accomplishments. I speak three languages, English, Português, and Spanish, and I also know some ASL thanks to my time working on the Developmental Disability Waiver. I am honored to teach in an environment that allows me to excel in a bilingual educational setting. I enjoy learning and growing with los jóvenes in my community in an environment that allows for creative education beyond the scope and norms of the public school system. 

An important moment for me as an educator was when my college teacher told me he became a teacher because it was the most “radical” way to make a change. That moment empowered me and allowed me to reflect on mis tiempos en la escuela and see how it has shaped me. I started envisioning a learning space where I could reclaim ancestral knowledge and see myself in the curriculum. I awakened to the reality that the mainstream education system—designed for white, American students—had deliberately obscured critical truths and denied me an education that honored mi cultura y comunidad.  This is why I believe being a teacher is an important position: to create a learning environment that lets students think critically, express themselves freely, change the system, get the tools they need to feel confident in who they are, and fight for change. Multicultural Education has become one of my many passions alongside equity and social justice.

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kmartinez@raicesdelsaber.org

My name is Guadalupe Aguirre de Hernandez, but my students know me as Mrs. Lupita. I was born and raised in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico, where I studied Social Work at the university. After coming to the United States, I first lived in El Paso and later made Las Cruces, New Mexico, my home. I am married and the proud mother of four children. While my children were growing up, I spent many years supporting and volunteering at the schools they attended in Las Cruces. When my children grew older, I decided to begin a new chapter for myself and continue my education. My educational journey began as an Educational Assistant at Raíces del Saber Xinachtli Community School. After several years supporting students, I decided to continue growing professionally and become a Physical Education/Movement (Ollin) teacher. Today, I am excited to begin this new chapter as Mrs. Lupita. My goal is to create a welcoming, respectful, active, and joyful environment where every student feels valued, builds confidence, stays healthy, and enjoys learning through movement.

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ghernancez@raicesdelsaber.org

Diana Ginez was hired three years ago to coordinate the Tloke Nauoke after-school program. She has years of experience as an art instructor, is fully bilingual, and has experience in staff management and IT.  Ms. Ginez is pending receipt of her NM Teacher’s license through the Alternative Licensure program from NMSU. She was also part of the 2025 cohort nominated for the OST Leadership Institute.  Her professional capacity helped her integrate quickly into the program. She gained experience running the program, embedding Xinachtli Pedagogy into after-school activities, implementing a system to track student attendance and participation, and collaborating with teachers and community partners. Each month, she tracks academic performance with teachers and provides, at the end of each semester, a general report assessing the after-school program's impact on students’ daily academic performance. The school is partnering with the NMSU-STEM Outreach program to provide a free after-school program.  The other key community partner is Families and Youth Inc. (FYI+). Through their At-Risk After-School Meals Program, they provide a free dinner for our students every day, Monday through Friday. 

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dginez@raicesdelsaber.org

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Mi nombre es Laura Najera y desde julio de 2023 tengo el privilegio de desempeñarme como asistente de kínder. Disfruto de apoyar a los niños en su aprendizaje y desarrollo, creando un ambiente seguro, respetuoso y lleno de oportunidades para crecer. Me apasiona trabajar en equipo con la maestra y las familias para ayudar a que cada estudiante se sienta bienvenido, valorado y motivado a aprender cada día.

ENGLISH

My name is Laura Najera, and since July 2023, I have had the privilege of serving as a kindergarten assistant. I enjoy supporting children's learning and development by creating a safe, respectful environment full of opportunities for growth. I am passionate about working as a team with the teachers and families to help every student feel welcome, valued, and motivated to learn each day.

Lnajera@raicesdelsaber.org