The Advanced Placement (AP) Program in New Mexico is supported by a dedicated team of professionals passionate about ensuring students have access to high-quality educational opportunities. Get to know the team members working behind the scenes to empower educators and students across the state.
Ana Martinez
Region 9 Advanced Placement Program Coordinator
Ana is an Army veteran with over 25 years of experience in the education sector, including both public and private non-profit settings, as well as Municipal Government. She is excited to be part of the Region 9 team as the Advanced Placement Program Coordinator. Collaborating with educators to ensure the success of New Mexican students is at the forefront of her mission.
Gloria Lueras-Kidd
AP Regional Coach
Gloria ensures educators and coordinators receive the resources and support they need.
- Responding to questions about AP courses, accommodations, and organizing events like AP parent night.
- Assisting schools in accessing valuable data and resources, including AP potential and free pre-AP programs.
- Facilitating monthly virtual professional learning communities (PLCs) for AP educators.
- Providing mentorship opportunities through veteran AP teachers.
- Disseminating updates on AP courses and upcoming deadlines.
- Representing New Mexico at national College Board conferences to stay abreast of AP initiatives.
She also coordinates collaborative efforts between schools, organizes AP Day at the Roundhouse, and helps educators disaggregate and utilize data effectively.
Brenda Ortega
AP Regional Coach
Brenda is a 30 year educational professional having spent 25 years teaching high school history classes and on occasion AP USH, Spanish, and bilingual history classes. She served five years as the director of early childhood education and the preschool lab school at Luna Community College. Therefore, her educational experience ranges from early childhood education to college level. She looks forward to helping educators strengthen their expertise so that they can better guide students in building their academic skills to prepare for college.
Melissa DeLaurentis
Manager, College and Career Readiness Programs
Melissa DeLaurentis is a program manager with the New Mexico Public Education Department’s College and Career Readiness Bureau (CCRB), overseeing the Careers2Community initiatives. Previously, she spent three years with CCRB, coordinating advanced placement, computer science, Pathways2Careers/Careers2Communities, and career and technical education programs. Melissa’s experience as a New Mexico educator, spanning over nineteen years, has seen her teach at all levels of secondary instruction. Her leadership as a STEM coordinator was pivotal in the transition to the Next Generation Science Standards and the development of the Challenger Learning Center with Las Cruces Public Schools. Melissa’s academic qualifications include a bachelor of science in secondary education, a master’s degree in teaching, and a doctorate in educational leadership and administration.
