About Yanira

Yanira’s integrity is unquestioned and her commitment to our community is unwavering.

Yanira has lived on the Westside for more than 15 years, and bought her home in the district in 2008. She has over 20 years of experience in education, with the majority of those years spent teaching math in a Title I public school. 

As an expert in math education and a national consultant on how to improve public education, she brings unique qualifications to the legislature, especially as we strive to diversify our economy and strengthen STEM multicultural education. Shortly after immigrating to the U.S. from Mexico in 2000, Yanira left her engineering career to move to Albuquerque where she became a teacher, Department Chair, and union leader. 

Yanira has served in the State House since January 2023.

Yanira’s Record of Service

WORK EXPERIENCE

  • Project Coordinator, Dual Language Education NM (DLeNM), 2019 – current

  • Bilingual Math Teacher, Math Department Chair, Bilingual Coordinator, Washington Middle School, 2006 – 2019

  • Committee Member, National Assessment for Educational Progress (NAEP), 2012 – 2016  

  • Math Tutor, Albuquerque Teachers Federation, tutoring services, 2006 – 2011

  • Mathematics, Spanish and Computer Teacher, Holy Ghost Catholic School, 2004 – 2006 

  • Student teacher and tutor for ESL students, Paseo del Monte Middle School, 2003 – 2004

COMMUNITY SERVICE

  • State Representative, District 16, New Mexico State Legislature, 2023– current

  • Federation Representative, Albuquerque Teachers Federation (ATF), 2017 – 2019 

  • ESL Teacher for adults and youth, Holy Ghost Parish, 2005 – 2006

  • Youth minister, San Jose Parish, 2002 – 2005

  • Adult literacy volunteer, Chihuahua, 1994 – 1995

EDUCATION

  • MA in Curriculum & Instructional Leadership, College of Santa Fe, 2005

  • BS in Industrial Electronic Engineering, Instituto Tecnológico de Chihuahua, 1996