Special Ed Resource’s published team page includes educators who taught in Los Lunas and Albuquerque schools, studied at the University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University and Eastern New Mexico University, or describe holding New Mexico teaching licenses. Their backgrounds are summarized from that page; they are not a guarantee that a particular educator is available, will be assigned to your learner or is currently licensed in New Mexico.
JoAnn Brito-Riel
Special Education Expert
JoAnn taught special education for 25 years with the Los Lunas School District, including work as a Community Enhanced Learning Teacher with students at the severe and profound levels. She believes every child can learn and grow, holding high expectations while honoring each student’s strengths and learning style. Her goal is for students to gain the skills and confidence to meet the objectives in their IEPs and thrive beyond the classroom.
New Mexico connection: Her biography describes 25 years teaching special education with the Los Lunas School District and degrees from the University of New Mexico.
Bachelor of Science in Special Education/General Education and Master of Arts in Special Education, University of New Mexico.
Brandi Rukovena
Special Education Expert
Brandi’s biography describes full-time work as an online secondary special education teacher and adjunct teaching at New Mexico State University. She has taught English, History and American Government, has experience with low-incidence students, and has tutored elementary and secondary students online in small groups and one-on-one. She focuses on building relationships with students and families and creating a positive, engaging learning environment.
New Mexico connection: Her biography describes teaching as an adjunct professor at New Mexico State University and a master’s degree in Special Education from Eastern New Mexico University.
BA in Political Science; master’s degree in Applied Politics; master’s degree in Special Education, Eastern New Mexico University.
Carol Nowak
Special Education Expert
Carol encourages students to be curious, take chances and treat mistakes as a normal and necessary part of learning. Her career spans middle school and high school special education, gifted education, credit recovery, homebound instruction and academic advising, followed by teaching an Occupational Course of Study class in North Carolina. Her biography describes her as excited to teach in a different setting.
New Mexico connection: Her published biography states: “Carol currently holds a teaching license in Georgia and three licenses in New Mexico,” and describes her Bachelor of Science in Special Education from Eastern New Mexico-Portales.
Bachelor of Science in Special Education with a minor in history and psychology, Eastern New Mexico-Portales.
Marcia Spencer
Special Education Expert
Marcia retired after twenty-six years teaching special education at Los Lunas High School, where she taught Greenhouse, Daily Living Skills, Functional Academics, Job Competencies and Academic Reading to students with the highest level of need. Her classroom motto was teaching students to be as independent as adults as possible. Her biography describes her as organized, passionate and quick-witted, using humor to make learning enjoyable in one-on-one work that bridges learning gaps.
New Mexico connection: Her biography describes twenty-six years teaching special education at Los Lunas High School in Los Lunas, New Mexico, a Bachelor’s degree from the University of New Mexico, and service on the Planning and Zoning Commission for the Village of Los Lunas.
Bachelor’s degree, University of New Mexico; Master’s degree in Secondary Education, University of Phoenix; Master’s degree in Autism Spectrum Disorder, Grand Canyon University.
Jennifer English
Special Education Expert
Jennifer’s biography describes her as a licensed special education teacher with over 25 years in education and more than a decade in special education, serving secondary students with a wide range of learning needs. It describes her role as Head Special Education Teacher at New Futures School in Albuquerque, overseeing IEP development and compliance and leading school-wide inclusion and accommodation tracking. Having dyscalculia herself, she believes every student is capable of success with the right support and someone who refuses to give up on them.
New Mexico connection: Her biography describes work as Head Special Education Teacher at New Futures School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and living in Albuquerque.
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with graduate-level coursework in special education.
