Maria Elena’s Messages

Meet Maria Elena

Maria Elena Salazar is from Española, New Mexico. Dr. Salazar is honored to have worked with students, early childhood through doctoral level, during her 24 years as a professional educator. Her degrees are in Print Journalism and Spanish (BA Double Major, UNM), Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies, Language Arts Emphasis (MA, UNM), and Curriculum and Instruction, Early Childhood Education, Literacy and Children’s Literature Emphases (PhD, NMSU). She received her first teaching license at Northern New Mexico College. She now holds three Level III State of New Mexico Instructional Leader teaching licenses: Birth through Third Grade, PreKingarten through Twelfth Grade and Kindergarten through Eighth Grade. Maria Elena taught Bilingual Education, Title 1, primary grades, and Special Education Preschool with the Española Public Schools (EPS). She also served as EPS’s Early Childhood Specialist, supervising the early childhood professionals, reports and activities therein.  Dr. Salazar supervised and taught pre and in-service teachers while a doctoral student at NMSU and during the past seven years at the University of New Mexico. Her areas of teaching, presenting and professional development are Multicultural Education (MCE), Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC), Teacher Preparation and Literacy. Maria Elena loves open ended materials, a pedagogy of ecology, and culturally responsive practices. She has three young adult children, five cats and thousands of children’s books.   

Salazar, M.E. (2025, February 1). Gross Motor and Other Activities to do Indoors During Cold Months.

By Dr. Maria Elena Salazar

It’s that time of year when outdoor time may be canceled due to inclement weather. Children still need to blow off steam and keep those little muscles moving! Below are a few tips to help you engage children in gross motor activities inside the classroom. To further help you, I have included videos you can try. Stay warm and active during this cold month! ME

Salazar, M.E. (2025, May 1). Let’s celebrate May!

An NMAEYC Blog by Dr. Salazar 

May is always bittersweet for me. It marks the end of a journey. In higher education, students are graduating. In the early childhood classroom, children are leaving to Kindergarten, elementary or another classroom. It is a time to celebrate the year’s successes and to say goodbye to learners I’ve grown with. -ME

Salazar, M.E. (2025, August 1). DYI

An NMAEYC Blog by Dr. Salazar 

It’s time for many of us to face the inevitable: School is back in session. As many of us see budget cuts, and the reality of early childhood education and care being underfunded (especially our professionals’
salaries!), I chose DIY classroom materials for this month’s blog. I always appreciate displays and materials that are homemade. They’re very interesting and unique. I hope crafting these with children, families, other professionals or by yourself is enjoyable and makes you look forward to the year ahead with your young learners. -ME

Salazar, M.E. (2025, March 1). March is Women’s History Month!

An NMAEYC Blog by Dr. Salazar 

March 8th is International Women’s Day, and March is Women’s History Month! Let’s face it. Early childhood education and care (and child rearing in general) remains dominated by women. To celebrate all the teachers, assistants, therapists, secretaries, cooks, custodians, and all women in our lives, I offer you a classroom theme honoring women.

Salazar, M.E. (2025, June 1). National Best Friends Day

An NMAEYC Blog by Dr. Salazar 

This month’s blog honors friends and friendship. This month I offer ideas on teaching social/emotional skills and promoting friendship with children. Because adults are human too, ideas seek to be used by both children and adults, or among friends of all ages. Maybe you have a friend you talk to every day, or you only see your best friend every few years. I seem to be in the latter group; all my best friends are scattered across the state and country. In either case, reach out to your friends today. -ME

Salazar, M.E. (2025, April 1). Recycle, Reduce, Reuse.

An NMAEYC Blog by Dr. Salazar 

Earth Day is April 22! Below are some ideas and resources to help observe this day with young children. Tip: If the project requires making more lots of waste, it is NOT earth-friendly. We do produce a lot of waste in education and in the USA. Let’s try to carry recycle, reduce and reuse practices past Earth Day. -ME

Salazar, M.E. (2025, July 1). Eliminating Boredom

An NMAEYC Blog by Dr. Salazar 

In July, children start to express boredom from being home on summer break.  Or, the long days mean more hours to occupy with activities. This month, I offer you ideas to take advantage of the beautiful weather, the time away from school and being with the little ones in your life. -ME