FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: John Dyrcz
August 4, 2026 505-554-8679


Santa Fe – American Federation of Teachers New Mexico President Whitney Holland and The MASTERS Program Federation of Teachers activist Anita Nugent released the following statements:

“I am pleased to welcome another public charter school into our union. AFT New Mexico is committed to providing union representation to all educators who desire it and our union is a natural fit for New Mexico’s public charter schools. The MASTERS Program Federation of Teachers has already shown a strong ability to organize, and we’re excited to build our partnership alongside them,” said Holland.

“We look forward to working with our Governing Board and Head of School to create a mutually agreed upon Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). After 16 years without union representation, we know the CBA will provide a pathway for a workplace with more security, delineated legal process, establishment of criteria and all the other benefits that union membership provides,” said Nugent, a physics, chemistry, and dual-enrollment teacher.

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The New Mexico Public Employee Labor Relations Board issued certification for this unit on August 4, 2026. The school employees will form The MASTERS Program Federation of Teachers; a new local union organized with the American Federation of Teachers New Mexico. The MASTERS Program is an Early College High School serving approximately 280 students.