About me
Valerie Brea is the Executive Director of the Southwest Regional Education Cooperative (SWREC), bringing three decades of multifaceted experience to the New Mexico educational landscape. Her career is characterized by a unique blend of specialized classroom instruction, school-site administration, and regional leadership.
With a foundation in special education, Valerie Brea spent eight years as a K–5 self-contained teacher and reading coach in Silver City, New Mexico. Her commitment to academic excellence led her to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and two Master’s Degrees: one in Special Education and another in Educational Leadership. These credentials paved the way for a decade-long tenure where she simultaneously served as a school principal and Special Education Director, while maintaining a direct connection to the classroom by teaching secondary history and English.
Over the past 12 years at SWREC, Valerie has transitioned from Program Director and Associate Director to her current executive leadership role. She has been instrumental in designing and implementing professional development frameworks, particularly in the areas of Special Education and the Multi-Layered System of Supports (MLSS). Today, she is a vital mentor to administrators, coaching principals and school leaders across the state to drive systemic improvement and instructional excellence.
