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Tiny Aggie Gardeners

Project Overview: Tiny Aggie Gardeners aims to create a 4-part community model to reconceptualize Early Childhood STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) education both at home and in school environments.

Collaboration: This project involves a partnership between the College of HEST and ACES. Our goal is to develop an innovative hands-on agricultural space, including a vegetable and sensory garden, for use by NMSU students and the community. This initiative includes a research collaboration with La Semilla and families served by the NMSU Autism Diagnostic Clinic.

Principal Investigator

Dr. Angela Owens

Director,

GFRI Instructor, EC &

Special Ed

(575) 646-2900

O’Donnell Hall,

Suite 048.

avowens@nmsu.edu

Curriculum Vitae

Dr. Angela Owens research focuses on literacy/bi-literacy, educational equity in special education, critical disability theory, and teacher preparation in early childhood and elementary settings. She explores integrating social justice through literature in elementary classrooms.

Educational Background:Dr. Owens earned her doctorate in literacy/bi-literacy education from The University of Texas at El Paso. She has been serving the borderland community since 2005 as a teacher, administrator, and professional development consultant.

Selected Publication:Owens, A., & Garcia, B. (2018). Teaching Executive Functions: Modeling Independence from Cradles to College for Success. Handbook of Research on Promoting Higher-Order Skills and Global Competencies. Read More

Co-Principal Investigator's

Dr. Joan Esse Wilson

Assistant Professor, Department of Communication Disorders

Email: wilsonj@nmsu.edu

Dr. Leanna Lucero

Associate Professor and Director, School of TPAL; Clinical Director, Elementary Teacher Education

Email: leannal@nmsu.edu

Dr. Rachel Gioannini

College Assistant Professor of Plant & Environmental Sciences

Email: carissas@nmsu.edu

Dr. Carissa Samaniego

Visiting Assistant Professor of Sculpture

Email: carissas@nmsu.edu

Dr. Mariana Alvidrez

Assistant Professor, TPAL

malvidrz@nmsu.edu

Dr. Wenjie Wang

Early Childhood Education Department Chair,

(575)538-6489, wenjie.wang@wnmu.edu

Project Consulting Researcher

Dr. Jeanne Brown

Professor,

Teacher Education Program (TEP)

Dr. Jeanne Brown is a dedicated early childhood educator with over 25 years of experience teaching pre-kindergarten, 14 of which have been at the NMSU School for Young Children. In addition to her work with young children, Dr. Brown is also actively involved in higher education, teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses through NMSU's Department of Teaching, Learning, and Culture (TPAL). She earned her Ph.D. in May 2018, completing a dissertation on the important role of grandparents providing childcare for their grandchildren. Her research interests extend to multi-generational literacy, adventurous play, children’s geography, and exploring how family dynamics shape early learning experiences. Dr. Brown remains passionate about developing innovative teaching practices that support both children and their families in meaningful, culturally relevant ways.

Lesson Plan Creator's

Dr. Blanca Araujo

Professor,

Teacher Education Program (TEP)

baraujo5@nmsu.edu

(575) 646-1282

O'Donnell Hall 101

Dr. Araujo serves as the Director of the Teacher Education Program and is responsible for matters related to teacher preparation. She works with the Executive Council leadership team of the college. Since 2014, Associate Professor Blanca Araujo has served as Director of Elementary Education, overseeing student teaching, block course scheduling, and advising candidates pursuing a teaching license. In her new role, she will lead the alignment of TEP and CAEP standards and assume broader responsibilities in teacher preparation. Having completed her graduate training at NMSU, Blanca was tenured at UTEP before returning to NMSU as a proud alumna. Her research interests include critical pedagogy and bilingual education. Across the borderlands, Blanca’s leadership and commitment to teacher preparation is unparalleled.

Dr. Violet Henderson

College Assistant Professor

ECED

violeth@nmsu.edu

575-646-1537

OH 101C

Dr. Violet Henderson a College Assistant Professor and the Clinical Director of the Early Childhood Education Program in the School of Teacher Preparation, Administration, and Leadership. She taught at the elementary school level for almost ten years before entering higher education and considers herself a teacher at heart. Dr. Henderson collaborates with preservice and in-service teachers within the Teacher Education Program, the Bilingual Education/TESOL Program, and the Language, Literacy, and Culture Program. Her teaching and research interests include literacy portraiture, multiliteracies, family literacy, community cultural wealth, funds of knowledge, and translanguaging. She has published in The Association of Mexican American Educators Journal , The Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy , and other academic journals. Dr. Henderson is a proud NMSU alumna

Student Assistant's

Katpally Sloka Reddy

Graduate Assistant

Email: sloka@nmsu.edu

Ellyse Ramirez

Graduate Assistant

Email: ellyse2@nmsu.edu

Undergraduate Student Assistants

Kayla is an art student contributing her creativity and skills to this project, enhancing the visual and aesthetic aspects.
Ace, a talented art student, contributes artistic insight and craftsmanship to the team. With creativity and a fresh perspective, Ace helps shape the visual direction of projects, ensuring they are both innovative and impactful.
Emma is a biology student who supports the team with her scientific knowledge, aiding in research and project development with a focus on biological aspects.
Carly focuses on creating hands-on learning opportunities for young children and assists with community outreach under the guidance of the project manager. She plays a key role in educational initiatives and community engagement.