Mission Avenue Elementary School is Transforming a Campus Through Inclusive Leadership

Stetson & Associates, Inc. is proud to highlight the outstanding leadership of Ms. Jennifer Tooley, Principal, and Ms. Ami Montoya, Assistant Principal, at Mission Avenue Elementary School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. During the 2024–2025 school year, they have partnered closely with Stetson to advance inclusive practices across their campus, leading to transformative outcomes for students and staff alike.

From Comprehensive Support to Recognition for Student Growth

This year, Mission Avenue Elementary achieved significant milestones. The campus exited its Comprehensive Support and Improvement status under the New Mexico Public Education Department and returned to traditional status—a notable accomplishment reflecting improvements in school-wide performance.

A Leadership Philosophy Rooted in Belonging

What sets Ms. Tooley and Ms. Montoya apart is their unwavering belief that “all students belong to all of us.” This philosophy drives every decision they make and is consistently reflected in campus-wide communication, Professional Learning Community (PLC) meetings, and the daily support they provide to instructional staff. Their messaging is clear, transparent, and aligned across all stakeholders—setting a strong foundation for sustained change.

Data-Informed Coaching and a Strong Feedback Loop

A key strategy contributing to their success has been the implementation of a robust teacher feedback loop. In collaboration with Stetson & Associates, the leadership team has conducted ongoing classroom observations in grades K–5 using the Stetson Classroom Observation Tool. Following each observation cycle, Ms. Tooley and Ms. Montoya meet individually with teachers to reflect on evidence from the classroom, share targeted feedback, and celebrate progress.

Focus areas have included:

• Clearly posted and measurable learning objectives
• Implementation of differentiated instruction
• Increased use of small group instruction
• Use of formative assessments aligned to instructional goals

The results speak for themselves: a measurable increase in the number of classrooms consistently demonstrating these inclusive instructional practices and growing teacher receptiveness to feedback.

Leading by Example

Through their actions, Ms. Tooley and Ms. Montoya exemplify the principle that leadership is not about being in charge—it is about taking care of those in your charge. Their daily modeling of transparency, consistency, and care has created a culture of high expectations and inclusive success for every learner.

Stetson & Associates is honored to support and celebrate the extraordinary efforts of the Mission Avenue Elementary leadership team. Their work serves as a model for inclusive transformation across New Mexico and beyond.