Jesse Lucero’s educational career began in 2001 as a special education teacher at a local middle school in the Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) system. Over the next six years he worked primarily in a full inclusion classroom with regular education and students with special needs. He served as assistant academy director for three years and also coached football and basketball. During the summers he taught extended school to students with special needs. In 2005 he received his Masters in Special Education from the University of New Mexico. In 2006 he also taught night school at Albuquerque Vocational Charter where he worked with at risk students. In 2007, wanting a change of scenery he became the head teacher for the emotionally disturbed program at an APS elementary school. In 2008 Lucero became the Special Education Director for Gordon Bernell Charter School.