YG
Serving

Yanira Gurrola

State HouseDemocrat

NM-HD-16 State House

Mexican·Member, House Education Committee

About

Flor Yanira Gurrola Valenzuela is a Mexican-American New Mexico State Representative for District 16, serving since 2023. Born in Chihuahua, Mexico, she moved to Albuquerque in 2000. She earned a bachelor's in engineering from Instituto Tecnologico de Chihuahua and a master's from the College of Santa Fe. She works as a teacher with Albuquerque Public Schools.

Family & Heritage

Born in Chihuahua, Mexico. Immigrated to the U.S. in 2000. Before emigrating, worked as an engineer at maquiladoras along the U.S.-Mexico border. Full name is Flor Yanira Gurrola Valenzuela. Mexican immigrant who became a bilingual educator.

Political Career

Before Politics

Electronic industrial engineer at maquiladoras in Mexico; bilingual math, technology, and gifted teacher (22 years); Math Department Chair and Bilingual Coordinator at Washington Middle School, Albuquerque; Project Coordinator for Dual Language Education of NM

Education

B.S. in Electronic Industrial Engineering, Instituto Tecnologico de Chihuahua, Mexico, 1996; M.S. in Curriculum and Instructional Leadership, College of Santa Fe, 2005

Key Issues & Priorities

*Bilingual and multicultural education, public education reform, STEM education, dual language programs, education funding, environmental resources