Yanira in the News
January 25, 2024, Source NM, “Higher education leaders show up to support Yazzie-Martinez bill”
Bill seeking $27M appropriation to boost language instruction clears first committee
House Bill 39, introduced by Rep. Yanira Gurrola (D-Albuquerque), asks for more than $27 million in appropriations to fund more than 40 items, which intend to support bilingual education programs in public colleges, universities and tribal colleges. There are goals to use that investment to build pipelines to bring bilingual educators into K-12 schools after graduation.
January 25, 2024, NM Political Report, “Governmental Conduct Act updates approved in first committee”
A bill that seeks to clarify the Governmental Conduct Act and increase possible penalties for violation of the law passed its first community unanimously. HB 8 would provide a new section to the law defining intent, provide specific guidance to public officers and employees about prohibited acts, clarify provisions prohibiting abuse of office, quid pro quo corruption, acquisition of financial interests resulting from an official act, and misuse of public property.
January 16, 2023, Source New Mexico, “Lawmaker, educator, wants language programs to lead public school education reform”
Proposal seeks $27M to build ‘pipelines’ to fund bilingual education programs in higher ed that can train teachers to go into K-12 schools in New Mexico.
March 4, 2023, LA Daily Post, “Expanded Human Rights Act Passes New Mexico House”
SANTA FE — House Bill 207, which would expand the discrimination protections included in the New Mexico Human Rights Act, passed the House of Representatives Friday with a vote of 47-20. The legislation would extend the scope of the New Mexico Human Rights Act, which was put in place in 1969 to help ensure that everyone in the state is protected from discrimination in employment, housing, accessing credit and public accommodation. House Bill 207 is sponsored by Reps. Ortez, Andrea Romero (D-Santa Fe), Linda Serrato (D-Santa Fe), Yanira Gurrola (D-Albuquerque), Senate Majority Floor Leader Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe), and Senator Carrie Hamblen (D-Las Cruces).
March 3, 2023, Albuquerque Journal, “Bilingual educator Yanira Gurrola forging unique path as first-term lawmaker”
As she settles in as a legislator, Gurrola said she plans to focus on education, worker protection and school safety issues. She also said her background as a bilingual teacher with an engineering degree from the Instituto Tecnológico de Chihuahua could provide her with unique perspectives on issues.
January 13, 2023, Source NM, “Educator ready to serve her first term in the Roundhouse”
As a bilingual educator with the nonprofit Dual Language Education of New Mexico and former math teacher in Albuquerque Public Schools, she’s also trying to keep in mind what she used to tell students who would come to her and say, “I don’t know this.”
“It’s always, ‘You don’t know it yet,’” she emphasized, because she’s all about changing that mindset. “I’m very open. I love to learn. I don’t have free time right now because I’m only invested in this. So that’s how I’m getting ready.”
As to her focus, she’s passionate about education. It will always be a top concern, “and it is a priority in every district, especially in ours,” she said. “So making sure that the students have opportunities — not only at school and in the classroom, but definitely outside the classroom, too.”
Gurrola Valenzuela is also thinking about elders on the Westside who need access to technology and transportation.
January 10, 2023, Santa Fe New Mexican, “Bilingual math teacher selected to fill House seat”
Commissioner Eric Olivas, one of the new members who voted in support of Gurrola Valenzuela, said the district would be served well “by just about” any of the candidates. But he said Gurrola Valenzuela stood out.
“Her background as an educator is really important,” he said. “She’s worked at some tough schools, and she’s done some amazing work, and I think that’s something that we really need to see in the statehouse. She brings a really unique perspective as an immigrant, an educator, as somebody that’s worked in dual language programs and also worked in the maquiladoras and the manufacturing region around the border. I think that she’ll be somebody that’s able to really bring a nexus of education and economic opportunity.”