2021-2022 NMCASE Maggie Cordova Award 

Administrator of the Year:

Justin Gossett

Justin Gossett

Justin, a 20-year veteran of special education, is currently the director of Special Services for Carlsbad Municipal Schools. Throughout his educational career, his focus has been on working to improve educational outcomes for students with disabilities. He has taught students with disabilities as well as gifted and talented students from 1st through 12th grade. He was the Director of Special Education for Hagerman Municipal Schools from 2009-2017. He has been a member of the Council for Exceptional Children since 2003. In 2011, he was selected as the New Mexico Rural Special Education Teacher of the Year by the American Council on Rural Special Education (ACRES). He is currently the NMCASE membership chair. Justin has a strong passion to advocate for students with disabilities in Southeastern New Mexico, and he has worked to create and facilitate a regional Special Education Director’s support group.