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.
Welcome to Maria Elena’s Messages, a space where we share reflections, stories, and insights from the heart of early childhood education in New Mexico. Each post is meant to spark connection, celebrate the incredible work of our educators and families, and shine a light on the challenges and opportunities shaping our youngest learners’ futures.
Salazar, M.E. (2026, February 1). What We Read to Children Matters
An NMAEYC Blog by Dr. Salazar
As I enter a new semester and teach three literacy courses, I reflect on what we read to children. What we read to children matters. Basals, also called decodable readers, are useful in teaching literacy, particularly phonics and sight words. However, those two components also lead to their criticism. Many basals focus on decoding and controlled vocabulary, leading to lack of student engagement and decreased mastery of other literacy skills like vocabulary and comprehension. -ME
Salazar, M.E. (2026, January 1). Mind, Body, and Spirit
An NMAEYC Blog by Dr. Salazar
This feels like a good time for us to reset. I’m keeping this blog short so both you and I can focus on just that. And if we focus on a few, they are more attainable. In my work with pre and in service teachers, I encourage them to look at the three domains of child development (I know, sometimes a fourth and even fifth if we list language separately and separate social and emotional) and think of them in terms of mind (cognitive development), body (physical development) and spirit (social/emotional development).-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. -ME
Salazar, M.E. (2025, November 1). Native American Heritage Month
An NMAEYC Blog by Dr. Salazar
It’s Native American Heritage Month! We’re so blessed to live in a state where there are 23 indigenous communities. I’ll reiterate from previous blogs, presentations, etc., that we should celebrate our communities’ cultures year-round, all day, every day, across every academic subject. But let’s especially enjoy our state’s amazing Native American heritages this November. See below for activities to try. -ME
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, September 1).
An NMAEYC Blog by Dr. Salazar
Approximately 48% of New Mexico’s population is Hispanic. Our state seal recognizes our Mexican heritage with the Mexican eagle accompanying the American bald eagle, and our constitution recognizes Spanish as an official language, which helped pave the way for Bilingual and Multicultural Education and language rights nationwide. Hooray for us! ? -ME
Salazar, M.E. (2025, December 1). Celebrating Each Other While Keeping It Simple
An NMAEYC Blog by Dr. Salazar
This holiday season, I challenge you to create experiences and keepsakes that won’t end up in the landfill. I also challenge you to think outside the box in planning parties, crafts and other experiences with young children and their families. Happy Holidays! -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
Salazar, M.E. (2025, October 1).
An NMAEYC Blog by Dr. Salazar
The new academic year is well underway, and it’s time to check in with ourselves and the young people in our lives. Let us observe World Mental Health Day and October by asking, Are you okay? -ME