RIO RANCHO, N.M. —

As students gear up to head back to school, teachers have already been hard at work behind the scenes. For educators, the return to the classroom doesn’t begin with lessons and tests; it starts with an empty room and a vision.

Classrooms return to life with teachers transforming blank walls and empty desks into vibrant, welcoming spaces. At Enchanted Hills Elementary, fifth-grade teacher Amy Villanueva, like many others, spends these early days setting the stage for a successful year, not just academically, but emotionally as well.

The first days of school are focused on building trust, establishing routines, and creating a sense of community. Teachers know that before students can fully engage in learning, they need to feel safe, respected, and connected. With though

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