Valeria Holloway’s journey through the field of early childhood education is like a powerful river, fed and strengthened by multiple streams of New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) programs. Each program flows into the river, creating a stronger, more dynamic current, enriching early childhood professionals’ skills and knowledge at every bend. From earning a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, attaining a bachelor’s degree, working toward a Master’s degree, to becoming a center director and owner, Valeria’s experience illustrates how comprehensive investments in the early childhood workforce by ECECD are transformative for the educators involved and crucial for New Mexico’s children and its future. Valeria’s successful Las Cruces childcare center, Best of the Southwest, is a testament to the impact of strong connections and mentoring within a community.

Throughout her career in early childhood education, Valeria has utilized the opportunities provided by early childhood education programs to enhance her qualifications and the quality of care and education at her center. These programs, including Scholarship support for degree attainment, Pre- K Pay Parity and Wage Supplemental Pay for educators, and the Early Childhood Mentor Network for mentorship and professional development, have been essential in helping her transition from a hands-on practitioner to a leadership role and small business owner, where she contributes to policy and practice in New Mexico.

Valeria’s own words best capture her approach:

• On Community and Collaboration: “I look around at the 27 colleagues I mentor, and I think, ‘This is what we should be doing.’ We need to pull together, share research and best practices, and support each other to drive change in early childhood education.”

• On Mentoring: “I find myself often at the center of calls and meetings. People reach out because they’ve heard how I’ve navigated the system—how I’ve brought my experience from Virginia to New Mexico and how I’ve used it to make a difference here.”

• On Proactive Involvement: “When I moved to New Mexico, I immediately jumped into everything. I wasn’t just going to sit back; I wanted to find out where the resources were, who was in charge, and how I could bring about change. That’s how you make a real impact.”

• On Knowledge Sharing: “It’s staggering at times — I came from Virginia with a set approach and knowledge base, thinking it was common. Realizing this knowledge was not widely accepted in New Mexico was eye-opening. It showed me how much we all have to share and learn from each other.”

Valeria’s philosophy to leading early childhood education in New Mexico is like a flowing and growing river. Her emphasis on ongoing professional development adds to this flow, bringing the benefits of continuous learning and community support to educators and children. By building strong connections and encouraging collaboration among colleagues, Valeria shows how these efforts come together like streams forging a powerful river, creating a strong workforce to educate and grow the next generation.

Educators across New Mexico can take advantage of eleven workforce programs designed to support professional development, scholarships, and pay incentives. Discover how these resources can help you grow at ececdscholarship.org and ecnetworks.org.