Gifted Education in New Mexico is under the umbrella of Special Education. In the New Mexico Administrative Code (6.31.2.12) a gifted child is defined as a school-age person whose intellectual ability paired with subject matter aptitude/achievement, creativity/divergent thinking, and/or problem-solving/critical thinking meets the eligibility criteria in this section and for whom a properly constituted Individual Education Plan (IEP) team determines special education services are required to meet the child's educational needs.

Gifted screenings are a component of the referral process for a gifted evaluation. All gifted screenings and evaluations are conducted by Educational Diagnosticians. Gifted referrals start at the school sites through the child's regular education teacher. Please contact your child's teacher if you feel your child requires a gifted screening. The Response to Intervention Specialist at the elementary schools can assist with the gifted referral process for your child.

Each elementary school has a Teacher of the Gifted who provides gifted services for students who are gifted and have an Individualized Education Plan. Middle schools and high schools have Gifted Case Managers who ensure that middle and high school students with giftedness are receiving their gifted services. There is also an Inclusion Support Coach for Elementary Gifted Students and an Inclusion Support Coach for Secondary Gifted Students.

Suzanne Sais
Teacher of the Gifted Bosque Farms Elementary, Desert View Elementary, Los Lunas Elementary, Peralta Elementary, and Valencia Elementary

Jennifer Chavez Baca
Inclusion Support Coach for Secondary Gifted Students

Diana Benavidez
Gifted Case Manager Los Lunas High School

Brett Manus
Gifted Case Manager Los Lunas Middle School

Paul Marez
Response to Intervention Specialist  Ann Parish Elementary, Bosque Farms Elementary, Desert View Elementary, Katherine Gallegos Elementary, Los Lunas Elementary, Peralta Elementary, Raymond Gabaldon Elementary,  Sundance Elementary, Tomé Elementary, and Valencia Elementary

Amanda McCleary
Gifted Case Manager Los Lunas Middle School

Erika Tonini
Gifted Case Manager Los Lunas High School

Malinda Ortega
Teacher of the Gifted Katherine Gallegos Elementary, Los Lunas Family School, Raymond Gabaldon Elementary, and Sundance Elementary

Sarah Pohl
Gifted Case Manager Valencia Middle School

Brian T.Baca
Gifted Case Manager Valencia High School