Los Lunas Schools
LLS
LLS Leadership
Dr. Ryan Kettler
Superintendent
Dr. Ryan Kettler is an educator and administrator, and formerly the principal of Rio Rancho High School. He holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Wayland Baptist University. Dr. Kettler earned a Master of Science degree in Kinesiology from the University of TX/Permian Basin, and he obtained his certification in Educational Leadership through New Mexico Highlands University. He earned his PhD in Physical Education from the University of New Mexico, and currently teaches classes through Southwestern University in Hobbs, New Mexico. His undergraduate class pertains to Legal and Ethical issues in Exercise and Sports Sciences, and graduate level classes, Operations and Fiscal Management, and Instructional Leadership.
Brian Baca
Deputy Superintendent
NMPED Professional Licensure:
Administration, Level 100 - 3B
Teacher, Level 400 - 3A
Professional Experience:
Assistant Superintendent LLS - April 2020-Present
Director of Personnel LLS, June 2011-March 2012
Director of Special Education LLS - August 2007-June 2011
Assistant Principal Manzano Vista Middle School LLS - August 2005-June 2006
Teacher of the Gifted Daniel Fernandez Intermediate LLS - October 2001-August 2005
Teacher White Mountain Intermediate, Ruidoso, NM - August 1994-October 2001
Teacher:
Los Lunas High School (LLS) - January 1994-May 1994
Education:
Darden/Curry School Turn Around Program, The University of Virginia July of 2012 and 2013
Darden/Curry Executive Leadership Program, The University of Virginia July 2008 and 2010
M.A. in Education Leadership, The University of New Mexico 2005
B.S. in Psychology, The University of New Mexico 1993
Professional Organizations & Acknowledgments:
Sigma Chi Alumni Association, University of New Mexico
Alumni Lettermen Club, University of New Mexico
Jostens Renaissance Coordinator of the Year, 2012
Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year for Los Lunas Schools, 2005
District 2 AAA Softball Coach of the Year, 1996 and 1998
Susan D. Chavez
Chief Student Services Officer
Susan D. Chavez is a proud graduate of Los Lunas Schools. She is in her 23rd year of education, all with the Los Lunas Schools. Mrs. Chavez graduated from New Mexico State University with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Elementary and Special Education. Her Masters of Arts Degree is in Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies from the University of New Mexico. Mrs. Chavez leads the Special Services Department which includes the following: Early Childhood Education, Educational Technology, Federal Programs, Medicaid in the Schools, Social Emotional Learning, Special Education and Technology. Mrs. Chavez is a member of the Council for Exceptional Children, Council of Administrators in Special Education and the International Society for Technology in Education. One of her greatest accomplishments is serving the community that she was raised in and continues to reside. In her spare time Mrs. Chavez enjoys watching sports, traveling, and spending time with her husband and family.
Andrew Saiz
Chief Personnel Officer
Mr. Andrew Saiz is a lifelong resident of Valencia County. He earned and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Special Education from New Mexico Highlands University in 1995. In 2008, he added a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from New Mexico Highlands University to his educational background. Mr. Saiz currently serves as the Chief Personnel Officer for Los Lunas Schools. He has filled many roles in his 29 years with Los Lunas Schools. Throughout his tenure with Los Lunas Schools, he has also devotedly served as: Special Education Teacher at the Elementary, Middle, and High School levels, Athletic Coach, IEP Facilitator, Dean of Students, Assistant Principal, Principal, and Director of Personnel. Mr. Saiz has had the privilege of observing thousands of students navigate the halls and campuses of our Los Lunas Schools. He considers it an honor to have been able to guide and support students as they excel in their public-school endeavors. Throughout the years he has been able to establish and maintain many meaningful and worthwhile relationships with students, colleagues, families, and community members. Mr. Saiz has maintained membership to many professional organizations throughout his career. He is a current member of the New Mexico School Personnel Association. He serves the American Association of School Personnel Administrators, where he is a member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. He is also a member of the National Council for the Advancement of Educator Ethics. Andrew and his wife, Natalie, have two sons and a daughter. Their children are all proud products of Los Lunas Schools and are currently attending college at either New Mexico State University or the United States Naval Academy.
Sandra Traczyk
Chief Financial Officer
NMPED Professional Licensure:
Level 2 Business Official since 2013
Education:
Bachelor of Business Administration, in Accounting, the University of New Mexico 1990
Professional Experience:
Chief Finance Officer, Los Lunas Schools February 2023 – Present
Director of Finance, Los Lunas Schools July 2010 – January 2023
Financial Specialist Curriculum & Instruction, Los Lunas Schools May 2007 – June 2010
Senior Financial Analyst, Lovelace Sandia Health Systems, September 2003 – July 2007
Divisional Accounting Manager, Sun Health Corporation, August 1995 – March 1998
Accounting Supervisor, Horizon Healthcare Corporation, October 1993 – August 1995
Staff Accountant, Horizon Healthcare Corporation, January 1991 – October 1993
Accounting offices have been my life’s work. In my last year of High school I fell in love with my Accounting class and decided then I wanted to be an Accountant. One of my very first jobs was as a Bookkeepers Assistant. While attending college I worked as a Full Charge Bookkeeper for years and then after my degree I became a Staff Accountant, Accounting Supervisor, Reimbursement Analyst, Senior Financial Analyst and Accounting Manager all in the Healthcare Industry in Albuquerque. I did have a break in my career where left employment to be a stay at home Mom until my daughter started Kindergarten. I also made a career shift from Private Accounting to working for Los Lunas Schools so I could work in the community where I lived and to be closer to where my daughter went to school. Now, I plan to stay working at Los Lunas Schools until I retire. My heart is with Los Lunas Schools and I will always do my best to get the most for the dollars we receive for all of the Students and Staff of the Los Lunas School district.
Dr. Deborah Elder
Chief Academic Officer of Instruction, Accountability & Innovation
Dr. Deborah Elder’s track record of improving results through innovation in New Mexico spans nearly three decades. She joined the Los Lunas Schools as Chief Academic Officer of Instruction, Accountability, and Innovation in 2021 with the charge to elevate student learning to world-class performance. She established the Los Lunas Schools Learning Innovations office to support educators to improve student learning.
Prior to LLS, she led the Office of Innovation and School Choice in the Albuquerque Public Schools. There, she increased district magnet school programming, including New Mexico’s first Engineering the Future K-12 pathway and established partnerships including the Kennedy Center Any Given Child initiative to increase equity and access to the arts for elementary school students. As a school principal, her leadership in classroom technology resulted in an increase in the school letter grade from D to A. Her career began in the classroom teaching elementary students.
Dr. Elder is passionate about building the next generation of educators and leaders. She is a performance coach for principals with the NM Public Education Department. Additionally, she keeps her focus on teaching as Adjunct Faculty with the University of New Mexico Anderson School of Management’s MBA program, the University of Southern California Master of Arts in Teaching program, and Western New Mexico University’s Educational Leadership program.