Highest Quality Early Childhood Development through Honoring Relationships Rooted in Equity and Social Justice

The Family Development Program (FDP) has a diverse team of highly qualified program staff, each of whom brings in-depth experience of working directly with families, schools, and communities to improve education and the quality of life for children. Three of the statewide training team members are Spanish/English bi-lingual trainers.

Family Development Program Leadership Team

Veronica Sanders
Veronica L. Griego-Sanders, MA.Ed. (She/Hers)

Director
Phone: 505-277-6943
vsanders1@unm.edu
Manzanita Center 120 (#70, from UNM Campus Map)

 

 

Ms. Veronica Griego-Sanders has been involved in education for over 30 years. As an Elementary Education major from New Mexico State University in 1993, she started her career as a teacher in Grants, NM where she eventually worked as an Elementary Principal. In 2009 she moved to Rio Rancho and worked for the school district as an Elementary School teacher, Elementary Assistant Principal, Assistant Director of Parent, Community, and Staff Engagement, Middle School Assistant Principal and Principal. Before she retired, she also worked with pre-school as well as high school students as an interim principal. Since retiring, she has worked for the New Mexico Public Education Department in the Student, Schools, and Family Support Bureau as well as the College and Career Readiness Bureau supporting schools with a variety of federal grants supporting Reading and Math initiatives as well as Career, Technical Education programs. She has also served as the Early College High School Coordinator for the Extending Equity into the Digital Workforce Program with REC1 in NM. She holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of New Mexico and is working toward her Ed.D. in Education Leadership with an emphasis on Equity and Social Justice from Loyola University Chicago which she hopes to complete by Summer of 2024. She is the mother of 4 children, of whom she takes great pride in. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her children and family as well as traveling and learning all that she can to support children and families throughout New Mexico.

Our Statewide Program and Administrative Team Members

Paige Abrams
Paige Abrams

Community Programs Supervisor
Phone: 505-277-8515
paige@unm.edu

 

Paige has been in the early childhood field since 1991. She was previously a NM PreK Consultant, a preschool teacher, a theater teacher, an art teacher, a movement teacher, a Montessori mentoree, along with other positions in the education field. She holds an Master’s degree in Education from Bank Street College in New York City and a Bachelor’s degree from The Colorado College. She upholds the significance of Loose Parts (recycled, open-ended materials safe for children) for their ability to nurture the creative, independent, and problem-solving spirit of all children and adults through an approach that emphasizes learning by doing.. Wemagination offers a rich learning environment tailored to support early childhood educators and other community members who work with young children. Paige believes children should have a life-long opportunity to grow through joyful learning experiences that are relevant to their lives. 

Brianna Avila

Unit Administrator II
Phone: 505-277-8510
briav1@unm.edu

 

Brianna Avila joined Family Development Program as a Student Employee in September of 2016 while pursuing a BBA with a double concentration in Accounting and Human Resources. Following her work as a student, she became the Administrative Assistant III for FDP in March of 2018. While in this position, Brianna completed her MBA degree. Fortunately, she was hired on as the Unit Administrator II in December of 2020—a unique career development opportunity. She oversees all Administrative and Fiscal Management, Human Resources and Development Administration. Besides her professional career, she co-owns On Point Dance Studio in the South Valley area with her best friend where she shares her passion and dedication for dance and young children in the late evenings. She absolutely loves that none of her days look the same and strongly believes all children can thrive when loving mentors fully support them.

Mary Boldine

Senior Fiscal Services Technician
Phone: 505-277-8511
mlsmith@unm.edu

 

Mary has been with the University of New Mexico for over 18 years. She joined the Family Development Program family in January of 2019. Mary started her career at UNM as a Cashier and has worked her way up to her current position of Sr. Fiscal Services Tech. Her years of fiscal experience have included cash handling, accounts receivable/payable, account reconciliation, payroll, purchasing and inventory control. Mary also maintains confidentiality of records, documents and data in compliance with Federal, State, and University regulations and policies. Over the years, Mary has taken many Accounting classes as well as many classes in the Microsoft Office Suite with an emphasis on Access and Excel. She enjoys working with figures and takes pride in a job well done. Mary is very happily married with a blended family that includes two sons, three daughters and four beautiful granddaughters.

Andrew Castellano
Andrew Castellano

Program Specialist
Phone: 505-277-5800
andyc@unm.edu

 

As the Program Coordinator for Family Development Program, Andrew assists New Mexican and National Early Childhood organizations with their requests for the Family Development Program’s many professional trainings and educational resources. Additionally, as the Manager of the Wemagination Resource Center, he strives to maintain a welcoming and educational environment. With the help from a supportive staff and volunteers, the team keeps the Wemagination warehouse stocked with a large supply of clean and safe open-ended materials for our members. Before coming to the Family Development Program, Andrew managed a teen pregnancy prevention program for the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). The majority of Andrew’s experience in the public and non-profit sector comes from his five years with the AmeriCorps Volunteer In Service To America (VISTA) program. For three years he served as a VISTA volunteer with the New Mexico Hispanic Medical Association and then spent two years as a Program Manager for AmeriCorps VISTA. As a graduate from the University of New Mexico with a Master’s in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s from the Anderson School of Management, Andrew has come to appreciate the University setting and the positive energy that flows through campus.

Holly LaBeau-BlueEyes
Holly LaBeau-BlueEyes

Training and Development Consultant
Phone: 505-315-8813

 

Holly has been a part of the early childhood community for almost 10 years and has loved every moment of working with children and families. She began as a physics major in college, but after her work as an education assistant, she found her passion changed and received her BA in Early Childhood Education from New Mexico Highlands University. Her background includes working as an early childhood educator and in early childhood administration. She hopes to be a part of building a bridge between early childhood and the community. Holly feels that all children should have the right to be happy, healthy, and thriving and have access to necessary services. Her goal is to help be a part of making that dream a reality. She resides in Albuquerque with her wife and daughter where they enjoy the diversity that New Mexico has to offer and the inclusion of all families.

Lindsey Lopez
Lindsey Lopez

Training and Development Consultant
llopez239@unm.edu

 

I have been a Training and Development Consultant at UNM for almost 3 years. I have worked with UNMH-HSC, CDD, and now on the academic campus within the College of Education, Family Development Program. I am really excited to build relationships with you all as we collaborate on this journey of learning and exploration through support. I would like to tell you a little about my background so you know more about me. I am from western Pennsylvania-near Pittsburgh, PA (Go Steelers!). I moved to New Mexico almost 13 years ago. I have fallen in love with this state and the communities throughout. I now live in the South Valley of Albuquerque. I am a parent of a 10-year-old, and that is my most important job. I went to Pennsylvania State University where I earned an Associate’s degree in Occupational Therapy. I then continued my education at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania earning a Bachelor’s degree in Holistic Health and a minor in Religious Studies. I then continued my education at Walden University earning a Master’s Degree in Public Health. I have continued my education at the University of New Mexico taking several Early Childhood courses and with Walden University taking Doctoral level Early Childhood Courses. I have worked as a COTA/L with ages birth through geriatric within Early Intervention, outpatient, school-based, hospital, rehab, home health, and skilled nursing therapy settings. I have also continued certification as a Community Health Worker and also have obtained my Infant Mental Health Endorsement Level II. I am a registered trainer within the state of New Mexico. I have really developed a passion for Early Childhood Learning, Early Intervention based practices, and Home Visiting services including pre and post-natal health. I am a Circle of Security Facilitator and have really enjoyed working with families with this curriculum. I am FAN certified Level I. I have developed a love for home-based services during my home health and Early Intervention experiences and realized that the home is the most functional, realistic, and individualized setting to offer services. I transitioned to UNM from my most recent position as a Center Director at a Head Start and Early Head Start Center. I absolutely loved the work we did support children and families. It was so rewarding and fueled my passion for serving the world of Early Childhood. I have experience as a Health Care provider, work as a college-level instructor, within Early Childhood and K-12 education, and various supervisory roles of nearly 8 years of management experience.

I have fully embraced Reflective Practice and enjoy opportunities to integrate Reflection into training, coaching, and consultation. We can create courageous spaces to feel safe to be vulnerable and practice deep listening skills to partner in shared learning environments. I am so humbled and thrilled to be a small part of supporting you all do the amazing work you all do every day to support the families and children of New Mexico.

Janelle Garcia Cole
Janelle Garcia Cole

Education & Development Manager
Phone: 505-277-8512
jcole4@unm.edu

 

Janelle Garcia Cole has been a part of the Early Childhood community for over twenty years. She joined the Family Development Program in May 2015 as a Training and Development Consultant and Statewide Trainer. Janelle was just assigned a new Co-associate director position and is excited about this new endeavor. She has a BA in Elementary Education from NMSU and an MA in Language, Literacy, and Socio-Cultural Studies from the UNM. Janelle taught in the Even Start Family Literacy Program for Albuquerque Public schools before coming to UNM. Janelle is a certified Elementary and Early Childhood teacher with a TESOL endorsement. In addition, she is a Master Trainer on the NM Training Registry. She is part of the Moments Together ECECD team and actively supports young children and their families in rural communities in New Mexico. She is passionate about working for equity and advocating for young children and their families. She is committed to advocating for and improving the well-being of children in New Mexico and encouraging the importance of play as the foundation for learning. She also enjoys sharing with others the benefits of mindfulness and yoga. Janelle and her husband have three beautiful boys who bring joy and fun adventures.

Ybeth Iglesias
Ybeth Iglesias

Bilingual Education & Development Manager
Phone: 505-277-8507
yiglesia@unm.edu

 

Ybeth Iglesias has worked with children, adolescents, and their families for over 25 years in New Mexico and Oregon. Ybeth worked as a Family Service Coordinator and Developmental Specialist III with the Family Infant Toddler Program with the New Mexico Department of Health for over 11 years. She is trained and certified in the Fuzzy Baby and Circle of Security models and has led several Circle of Security groups. In 2015, Ybeth joined the Family Development Program. She provides bilingual professional development support to early childhood educators throughout the state and facilitates early childhood coalition-building through collaborative leadership development and training. Ybeth is a Master Level Trainer with the New Mexico Trainers Registry. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from New Mexico State University and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of New Mexico. She is enrolled in a doctoral program with UNM’s College of Education, Teacher Education, and Educational Leadership & Policy Department. She is bilingual and bi-literate in Spanish and tested at the highest proficiency through Language Line Academy with Educated Professional Spanish Language Proficiency.

Samuel Rodriguez
Samuel Rodriguez, LBSW

Training & Development Consultant
Phone: 505-277-0860
srodrig6@unm.edu

 

Samuel is a licensed social worker who has devoted his career to working with families because he feels that the family unit has the strongest ability to nurture a child’s well-being. Samuel has been an investigative worker, placement worker and permanency worker under the child protective services umbrella. Following his work with CPS Samuel engaged in behavioral health work with the treatment foster care program. Samuel later supervised caregivers in the central region of New Mexico who supported the elderly and people with disabilities. He then shifted his focus to working with infants, toddlers and expecting mothers as an early intervention provider. Samuel’s work experience has helped him understand the importance of family and has enhanced his passion about supporting the family unit. Samuel has been deeply impacted with the reflective practice he has developed throughout his career and advocates for reflective support in the field to help improve outcomes for families, children and providers.

Christian Soto

Training and Development Consultant
Phone: 505-277-9193
csoto1@unm.edu

 

Christian is a statewide, bi-lingual Training and Development Consultant. He will work with families and early childhood providers to support high quality early education. He graduated with a B.A. from the University of Arizona, and lived in Northern Arizona before moving to Albuquerque, NM. Christian has a background in community health and has facilitated many health and chronic disease workshops for individuals and families throughout New Mexico. Before coming to the Family Development Program, he was part of a pediatric trauma-informed care initiative for families with babies and young children led by physicians at UNMH. Christian enjoys the health and life coaching approach, understanding that everyone is competent, capable, and whole. He has a deep desire to help every child in New Mexico obtain the best education. He is an activator, advocate, listener, and doer. And he likes Red Lobster.

Contact Us

Family Development Program
A Center for Excellence in Early Learning
MSC 06-3630
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
phone: 505.277.5800
email: fdp@unm.edu

About Us

“When as educators we expect to make profound changes in our students’ lives, we haven’t the right to begin without their parents at our side.” - Dr. Maria Chavez, Founder

The Family Development Program (FDP) is a community-based outreach program of the University of New Mexico’s College of Education.

 

The College of Education at UNM
  • © 2013 The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, (505) 277-0111
  • Accessibility
  • Legal
back to top