CANDIDATE COLUMN: Michael Berry, RRPS board District 3

A few months ago, I sat down with Jeffrey Morgan, the outgoing District 3 school board member, to talk about my interest in serving on the board. Before our meeting, I had jotted down a few priorities that really mattered to me if I decided to run. Early in our conversation, he said his number-one goal had “always been to put students and teachers first.” Those were the exact same words at the top of my list. I’m grateful for his dedicated service, and I know he’ll leave big shoes to fill.

I didn’t grow up here, but aside from a few years in Alaska, my family and I have called New Mexico home for more than a decade. I came to the state as an intern, went on to earn a Ph.D. from New Mexico Tech, and now work at Sandia Labs. My wife and I are raising three young kids, all of whom attend — or soon will attend — RRPS.

I’m running for school board because I want to lift where I stand and help strengthen our community. There are real challenges in education today, but my top priority is simple: Improve student outcomes and support great teachers. Strong early childhood education pays long-term dividends through graduation. As a scientist, I’m enthusiastic about STEM education and supporting career and technical pathways, including the district’s new RioTECH campus.

There are a few areas I think deserve attention. First, we need to address rising teacher burnout and make sure educators feel supported and valued. Second, teachers across the district are seeing more behavioral issues, especially in the younger grades. Early intervention and consistent support can make a real difference for both students and staff. Finally, as schools adapt to a new era of AI, we should remember that challenge and effort are central to learning. When students turn to AI too quickly, whether for math help or essay writing, they risk skipping the struggle that is critical for development. A flood of companies are trying to sell districts shiny new AI tools for education. Well-designed tools may help teachers extend their impact, but until there is consistent evidence of their effectiveness, we should be cautious. AI literacy (understanding how models work, how they’re trained, and how they fail) should be part of the curriculum as early as possible.

While it’s important to have priorities, it’s just as important to work together with the board, staff and community. Progress comes from teamwork and a willingness to find common ground — even when we don’t all agree.

Even though I’m running unopposed, I still hope to earn your trust and your vote this fall.