Julie Ortega-Lucero
Golden Apple Foundation News:
The Golden Apple Foundation for Excellence in Teaching, a leading nonprofit committed to preparing, supporting, and mentoring aspiring teachers, announces Julie Ortega-Lucero as Chief Program Officer for New Mexico.
Lucero’s focus is to aid Golden Apple’s efforts in New Mexico to build a pipeline of highly effective teachers to help address the teacher shortage crisis in New Mexico with the goal that these educators will then serve as teachers in their represented communities.
“Julie comes with a deep understanding of education in New Mexico through her experience, passion, and dedication to build a pipeline of highly effective teachers to address New Mexico’s teacher shortage,” Golden Apple President Alan Mather said. “Julie is on the ground meeting and recruiting future educators in the state with a focus on rural communities to help ensure students have the instruction and support they need to thrive.”
Lucero is a native New Mexican from Questa, with 28 years of education experience both as a teacher and administrator, as well as time in working in education policy. In 2021, she co-founded and launched THRIVE Community Charter School in Santa Fe.
“I am very delighted to join a wonderful organization focused on getting quality teachers into New Mexico classrooms,” Ortega-Lucero said. “I’ve dedicated my professional life to the education field, working in every level from the classroom to policy development. Our schools face several challenges, but first and foremost, we need highly effective teachers. My mission at Golden Apple is to recruit students from New Mexico communities who have the determination and drive to be proficient teachers in schools-of-need.”
Golden Apple is accepting applications for the second cohort of the Golden Apple Scholars program in New Mexico. New Mexico residents who are high school seniors, freshmen or sophomores in college, or enrolled in community college are eligible to apply now here.
Referrals of students from community members also are encouraged. Referrals may be made by visiting this link.