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Two National Guard members serving as substitute teachers with LCPS

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Two New Mexico National Guard soldiers reported for duty at Las Cruces Public Schools Monday, Jan. 31, LCPS said in a news release.

Their current assignment is to fill in as substitute teachers while LCPS continues to onboard qualified applicants. Pfc. Brannan Artman and Spc. Mario Meraz volunteered to serve LCPS as substitute teachers as part of the Supporting Teachers and Families initiative introduced earlier in January by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to help fill teacher vacancies across the state created by the pandemic.

Artman is currently a student at New Mexico State University and is assigned to the 615th Transportation Battalion. His parents are both teachers in Truth or Consequences. 

“Covid has taken a lot from us, and it has been rough on our teachers,” Artman said. “I would do anything to help out our teachers, and this assignment is my way of giving back.” 

Meraz is a graduate of Las Cruces High School. In his service with the National Guard, he has volunteered to help coordinate Covid testing clinics and vaccination opportunities.

“It was an easy decision to step up and help out our teachers,” Meraz said.

Artman and Meraz will be in uniform while on duty, a decision that was made by LCPS, LCPS said.

“New Mexico National Guard troops are coming on this historic mission for 30 days at a time,” said New Mexico National Guard spokesman Joe Vigil. He said Lujan Grisham and the New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) will determine how long soldiers and airmen will remain on mission as substitute teachers.  

 Both Artman and Meraz received their substitute teaching licenses and initial training with NMPED prior to arriving in Las Cruces. Before taking over a classroom, they will spend several days observing and shadowing other teachers, LCPS said.

“We are grateful for their service to our country, and to our district,” said LCPS Superintendent Ralph Ramos. “In times of crisis, that service looks a little different in the classroom, but the mission is the same – protect and educate our future’s greatest resource, our students.” 


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