SVP’s Governing Council

Bernadette Frietze
Chair
Audit / Finance Committee
Bernadette Frietze is currently the Principal and Special Education Director at Mark Armijo Academy Charter High School. She has served on the South Valley Preparatory School Governing Council since October of 2012.

Monica Aguilar
Vice Chair
Audit / Finance Committee
Monica Aguilar is the Executive Director at Mark Armijo Academy and is from Albuquerque. Monica received her Bachelor of Science from the University of New Mexico in Elementary Education with a minor in Mathematics and received her Master of Arts Degree from New Mexico Highlands University in Educational Leadership. Monica has 25 years of experience working in an educational setting, 20 of those years have been at Mark Armijo Academy.
Monica is passionate about the school community and strongly believes all students will succeed when individual support is provided. Monica is dedicated to the mission and values of each charter school. Monica is an active community member and is happy to bring her expertise to the Governance Board at South Valley Prep. Monica enjoys traveling, reading, exercising, and spending time with her family.

Brittney Barreras
General Member
I am a firm believer that we are all products of our community. I am proud of my roots here in Albuquerque’s South Valley. My mom has always been my hero. She taught me so much growing up, I can still hear her voice telling me “never forget where you came from, when you do good, give that back to the community who raised you up.” My life’s mission is to inspire the people around me through positivity.
I have had a really cool life so far and it just keeps getting better. I have a daughter named Isla who brings me joy everyday. I didn’t ever think I’d become a mom, it is the biggest job I will ever have and also the most rewarding. I hope to pass to her the love and compassion I have for others and also give her the freedom to be happy, whoever that may be.
In 2020, I was elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives. I learned so much about local politics and really fell in love with civic service. Although my days as an elected official are behind me, I still stay up to date with the latest political news and my goal is to let as many people as possible know how important their voice is. One vote may not make an impression but together we are a force and we must fight for what is right.
I will continue to do my best in my community and bring attention to inequities we face everyday.

Steven Cordova
General Member
Steven Cordova is currently employed by New Mexico Gas Company. He has served on the Governing Council since August 26, 2021.

Venessa Urioste
General Member
I am a passionate educator that has served varied grade level students, in particular meeting the needs of multilingual learners, and special needs students, in Title 1 schools. As a lifelong resident of Albuquerque's South Valley my ‘why’ has always been to provide the best education in order to positively impact my students and help guide them towards building a purposeful future and in turn a healthier community.
Within my 22 years of teaching experience, as a Level 3, K-12, National Board Certified teacher. I have proven to educate my students in a standards-based, culturally responsive, literature focused, student-centered, diverse curriculum. I have developed a curriculum that fully incorporates critical thinking, multiculturalism, technology, analytical essay writing, hands-on projects, and varied assessments. With over 10 years experience in mentoring student teachers from the APS / ATF and the ATRP program, supporting them in building their capacity for all aspects and responsibilities of teaching. I have taught dual credit education courses through Central New Mexico for the past 5 years, including the supervision of their practicum hours in elementary and middle school classrooms. For the past two years I have worked with the NM Public Education Department analyzing and developing essential standards for English Language Arts, as well as a curriculum evaluator of Culturally and Linguistically Responsive materials. I am a teacher leader within APS, leading professional development, mentoring national board candidates, and supporting other teachers in many capacities to help them meet all students' needs.
I advocate on behalf of teachers and will continue to do so, in order to make teaching and learning more manageable for us as teachers, as well as to better serve our students in a more equitable manner. I firmly believe that teachers' accomplishments, and in turn students' academic achievement, occurs if we have our voices heard and have some control over the learning environment. There are innovative ways that schools can lessen the stress and make all stakeholders feel more empowered if we can collectively create solutions for the optimal school community.