NM PED 2026 Literacy and Humanities Summer Conference

Dr. Buchanan Farmer is an instructional leader, educator, and Structured Literacy Coach with more than 26 years of experience supporting teachers and schools in strengthening instructional practice and collaborative professional learning. She is deeply passionate about building school cultures where educators learn from one another through inquiry, trust, and purposeful collaboration.Throughout her distinguished career, Melani Buchanan Farmer, PhD, has served as a classroom teacher, APS district support specialist, university professor, and educational consultant. Since 2008, she has specialized in utilizing Critical Friends Group protocols to facilitate meaningful Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) that move beyond routine meetings toward reflective dialogue and instructional improvement. Her work supports educators and leaders across New Mexico and Texas, focusing on structured literacy, collaborative leadership, cultural proficiency, multilingual program support, and health connections. She is an expert in managing the systemic changes necessary to support effective teaching and ensure long-term student success.Based in the Southwest, she continues to empower educators by fostering environments built on trust and professional inquiry. Her extensive background as both a practitioner and a consultant allows her to bridge the gap between theory and the daily realities of the classroom.