Los Lunas Schools Cabinet

DR. RYAN KETTLER

SUPERINTENDENT

Dr. Ryan Kettler is an educator and administrator, and formerly the principal of Rio Rancho High School. He holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Wayland Baptist University. Dr. Kettler earned a Master of Science degree in Kinesiology from the University of TX/Permian Basin, and he obtained his certification in Educational Leadership through New Mexico Highlands University. He earned his PhD in Physical Education from the University of New Mexico, and currently teaches classes through Southwestern University in Hobbs, New Mexico. His undergraduate class pertains to Legal and Ethical issues in Exercise and Sports Sciences, and graduate level classes, Operations and Fiscal Management, and Instructional Leadership.

BRIAN BACA

DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT

NMPED PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE:

-Administration, Level 100 - 3B
-Teacher, Level 400 3A

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
-Assistant Superintendent Los Lunas Schools, Los Lunas, NM
April 2012 - Present
-Director of Personnel Los Lunas Schools, Los Lunas, NM
June 2011 - March 2012
-Director of Special Education Los Lunas Schools, Los Lunas,
NM August 2007 - June 2011
-Assistant Principal Manzano Vista Middle School, Los Lunas, NM
August 2005 - June 2006
-Teacher of the Gifted Daniel Fernandez Intermediate, Los Lunas, NM October 2001 - August 2005
-Teacher White Mountain Intermediate, Ruidoso, NM
August 1994 - October 2001

TEACHER:
-Los Lunas High School, Los Lunas, NM
January 1994 - May 1994

EDUCATION:
-Darden/Curry School Turn Around Program, The University of Virginia July of 2012 and 2013
-Darden/Curry Executive Leadership Program, The University of Virginia July 2008 and 2010
-M.A. in Education Leadership, The University of New Mexico
2005
-B.S. in Psychology, The University of New Mexico
1993

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS & ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:
-Sigma Chi Alumni Association, University of New Mexico
-Alumni Lettermen Club, University of New Mexico
-Jostens Renaissance Coordinator of the Year, 2012
-Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year for Los Lunas Schools, 2005
-District 2 AAA Softball Coach of the Year, 1996 and 1998

Susan Chavez

SUSAN D. CHAVEZ
CHIEF STUDENT SERVICES OFFICER

NMPED PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE:
-Administrative - Level Three-B, Pre-K-12
-Instructional Leader (Teacher) — Level Three A, K - 8 Elementary
-Instructional Leader (Special Education) – Level Three A, Pre-K – 12
-Educational Diagnostician, Level Three
-Endorsement in Teaching English to Speaker of Other Languages

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
-Assistant Superintendent of Special Services
Los Lunas Schools
April 2015 – Present
-Director of Special Education
Los Lunas Schools
February 2013 – April 2015
-Coordinator of Special Education
Los Lunas Schools
September 2012 – February 2013
-Educational Diagnostician
Los Lunas Schools
September 2008 – Present
-IEP Facilitator
Sundance Elementary School
August 2011 – August 2012
-IEP Facilitator
Peralta Elementary School
November 2007 – May 2011
-Adjunct Instructor, Fall 2006
University of New Mexico, Valencia Campus, Tome, NM
-First Grade Teacher
Peralta Elementary School
August 2003 – May 2008
-Special Education Teacher
Peralta Elementary School
December 2001 – May 2003

EDUCATION:
-M.A. in Language, Literacy, and Socio Cultural Studies, University of New Mexico 2004
-B.S. in Elementary and Special Education, New Mexico State University 2001

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS & ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:
-ASCD Member
-Council for Exceptional Children Member
-Council for Learning Disabilities
-Council for Special Education Administrators Member
-Peralta Elementary Certified Employee of the Year – 2007
-Who’s Who Among American Teachers

Andrew Saiz
Chief Personnel Officer

Sandra Traczyk
Chief Financial Officer

DR. DEBORAH ELDER

Chief Academic Officer of Instruction, Accountability & Innovation

Dr. Deborah Elder joined the Los Lunas Schools as Chief Academic Officer of Instruction, Accountability, and Innovation in 2021 with the charge to elevate student learning to world-class performance. Her track record of leading results spans nearly three decades, all in service to the students of central New Mexico. She established the Los Lunas Schools Learning Innovations office to support educators in improving student learning outcomes.

Prior to LLS, she led the Office of Innovation and School Choice in the Albuquerque Public Schools. As a school principal, her leadership in classroom technology resulted in an increase in the school letter grade from D to A. Her career began in the classroom teaching elementary students.

Dr. Elder is dedicated to growing future educators. She is a performance coach for principals with the NM Public Education Department. Additionally, she keeps her focus on teaching as Adjunct Faculty with the University of New Mexico Anderson School of Management E-MBA program and the University of Southern California Master of Arts in Teaching program.

She is a life-long learner and proud UNM Lobo with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, a Master’s degree in Curriculum, and an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership. She is also an enthusiastic University of Southern California Trojan with a Doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership. She is married with two sons who are graduates of NM public schools and attend college in state.