LEAP Director
Alexis Esslinger is a native New Mexican and brings 19 years of experience as an educator to her work as Director of LEAP. Her experience as a special education teacher, gifted site specialist, English teacher and department chair, coach, assistant principal and Director of Teacher Education inform her understanding and considerations within teacher preparation.
As a mother and writer, she is passionate about teaching and learning and enjoys working to create inclusive educational landscapes that nurture and develop efficacy and empowerment among learners and partnerships that build community.
Alexis serves as the elected co-chair of Deans and Directors (NMACTE), is on the New Mexico Professional Practices & Standards Board (PPSC). She began her teaching career in Fairfax County Public Schools after earning her BA in Elementary Education from ENMU and her MA in Education & Human Development from George Washington University in Washington, D.C.. Her Ed. S. in Leadership, Administration and School Policy is from GW, as well, and her experience teaching includes several states, PreK-12, and internationally. Alexis lives in Albuquerque with her husband and daughter and in her spare time hikes, reads, aspires to write much more and travels.
Office: 505.344.5470 x:139