Teachers

Jill Abraham

Kindergarten Teacher

17th year at CVCS

Jill grew up  in Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado.  She moved to Albuquerque, NM in 1989.  She met her husband, Wayne, and they had their son while living in Albuquerque.  Later they moved to Tucson, AZ for 3 1/2 years, then to Reno, NV for 5 years.  In the fall of 2005 they moved to Belen, NM to be close to both sides of the family.  Jill obtained her Early Childhood Education Degree, with a TESOL endorsement in May of 2009.  She joined CVCS in the 2010/2011 school year.  Her favorite thing about teaching is seeing the children's excitement for learning and being the recipient of many hugs from the students. In her "free" time, Jill enjoys reading mystery crime novels, spending time with family, traveling, and entertaining friends in her home. 

Bonnie Mora

First Grade Teacher

2nd year at CVCS

I am a first grade teacher at Cottonwood Valley Charter School (CVCS) with a passion for helping young learners grow both academically and personally. My teaching career began in 2019 with Belen Schools, where I taught kindergarten and fourth grade before joining the CVCS team. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Grand Canyon University.

I believe every child has the potential to succeed, and I find great joy in creating meaningful learning experiences while watching my students build confidence, develop new skills, and reach their full potential.

Outside of the classroom, I am happily married and have two beautiful children. Our family stays busy with sporting events and practices, but when we have free time, we enjoy spending it outdoors together.

I look forward to another wonderful year at Cottonwood Valley Charter School working alongside our students, families, and colleagues. CVCS is truly a great place to learn, grow, and be part of such a supportive school community.

Shayna Bloom

Second Grade Teacher

4th year at CVCS

Edie Castañeda

Third Grade Teacher

4th year at CVCS

A mere thirty-seven (37?!?) years ago, amidst the May flowers and festivities celebrating General Zaragoza’s 1862 victory over French forces, Ms. Edie (“Please don’t call me Edith”) Castañeda was born in the same space that now houses the campus of CVCS. She graduated from Socorro High School in 1988. From there she enrolled at Starfleet Academy on a Badminton scholarship, but soon discovered she had a fear of flying and a serious addiction to oxygen, so she opted for more Earthly endeavors. Thus began her journey toward true enlightenment.

Her path has led her through various positions in recreational management, coordinating before and after school programs, collegiate ticket sales, managing athletic promotions and other special events, and teaching various courses to people of all ages and ability levels. Her hobbies include ballroom dancing, shadow puppetry, historical re-enactments, and playing the piccolo by the poolside in the pouring rain. In 2013 she gathered all of her talents and experiences and molded them into the form of an elementary school teacher with flavors of Special Education and a slight aroma of PE. 

As she now works on the sacred grounds of her birth and resides in the house directly next door to the house she grew up in, she has literally come full-circle in her life’s meandering expedition. She currently serves as the self-proclaimed High Priestess of Random Objects and Useless Information. She holds a BA in Human Performance, Sports and Leisure Studies (with an emphasis on the leisure) from the Metropolitan State College of Denver. She majored in Sport Industry Operations and minored in Business Management. She completed the alternative licensure program at Santa Fe Community College and has a K-8 Level II New Mexico teaching license with a PE endorsement. She is truly grateful for the continued opportunity to give back to the community that she has always considered her home.

Wendy Wade

Fourth Grade Teacher

1st year at CVCS

My name is Wendy Wade, and I am a dual-certified teacher with a passion for special education, literacy, and helping every student discover their strengths. I previously taught Special Education at Gil Sanchez Elementary in Belen, New Mexico, from 2020 to 2026. I am also a member of ALTA and a Certified Academic Language Practitioner (CALP), specializing in supporting students with language-based learning differences, including dyslexia.

I hold a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, a Master's degree in Organizational Management, and a Master of Science in Education with a concentration in Special Education from the University of the Southwest, which I completed in February 2023. I believe that great teachers are lifelong learners, and I am committed to continually growing alongside my students.

Teaching children to read is one of my greatest passions, especially helping students with dyslexia build the skills and confidence they need to become successful readers. I believe every child can learn and deserves individualized support, encouragement, and opportunities to succeed.

Outside of the classroom, I am a proud mother of several children, with my youngest daughter graduating in 2027. I enjoy cheering her on at soccer games, attending student athletic events, taking acrylic painting classes, exploring outdoor photography, especially storms, and I immensely enjoy creating pottery. Working with clay is one of my favorite ways to relax and recharge.

I am truly grateful to be part of the CVCS team and look forward to partnering with students and families to create a positive, supportive, and engaging learning environment where every child can thrive.

Aubrey Alguire

Fifth Grade Teacher

1st year at CVCS

Hello! My name is Mrs. Alguire, and I am excited to be joining the school community as a 5th-grade teacher. This year marks my sixth year in education. Throughout my teaching career, I have taught both 3rd and 4th grade, and I am looking forward to bringing that experience into the 5th-grade classroom.

I earned my Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University and am passionate about creating a positive, engaging learning environment where students feel supported, challenged, and inspired to grow.

When I'm not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family (husband and 3 kiddos), crafting, baking, reading, and cheering on my children at their various activities and sporting events. I believe that strong relationships between school and home are essential to student success, and I look forward to partnering with families throughout the year.

I am thrilled to begin this new adventure and can't wait to learn, grow, and make wonderful memories with my students. Here's to an amazing year ahead!

Breanna Leseberg

Middle school English Language Arts Teacher

5th year at CVCS

Breanna Leseberg was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with a focus in ESL from New Mexico Highlands University. She has a K-8 Level II License with an endorsement in TESOL. She has lived in Socorro for the past 6 years and loves the small-town community. In her free time, she enjoys reading, crafting, and spending time outdoors with her husband and two sons. She has enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom with her children over the past 6 years but is excited to return to her lifelong passion of teaching young minds. 

Tommie McSherry

Middle School Science, Algebra I and Gifted Teacher

14th year at CVCS

Omar Ordoñez

Middle School Math/Elective Teacher

1st year at CVCS

Mr. Ordonez joins us as our new middle school math and elective teacher!

Kimberly Scarborough

Middle School Social Studies Teacher

3rd year at CVCS

I am Kim(berly) Scarborough. I am excited to continue working with students and parents at CVCS as I move forward into my second year here.  My family has lived and worked in Socorro for many years. I have several nieces, nephews, and cousins in the Socorro school system, including here at CVCS. I graduated from Socorro High School in 1991, then went on to earn a BA in History and Literature at UNM followed by a teaching certification at NM Highlands in Las Vegas, New Mexico. I got my first full time teaching job in Gallup, NM in 1999, teaching 7th grade NM History at JFK Middle School, moving to Chief Manuelito Middle School (still in Gallup) after about 15 years. I taught US and/or NM History in Gallup for a total of 25 years before returning home to Socorro to be close to family, baseball, basketball, and football games and to teach History at CVCS. I would like to thank everyone for welcoming me back into the Socorro community.  

Lisa Arendt

Special Education Teacher

9th year at CVCS

I am grateful to be a special education teacher at Cottonwood Valley Charter School. My teaching philosophy is rooted in helping students become confident in themselves as learners. I want students to understand how they learn best, recognize their strengths and challenges, and develop the confidence to advocate for what they need. I believe these skills grow through self-awareness, practice, encouragement, and the experience of seeing themselves succeed.

I grew up in Albuquerque and Socorro, New Mexico. My path to teaching has taken many different turns. I worked as a CNA and earned my degree in American Sign Language from Santa Fe Community College. While working at Head Start in Veguita, I discovered the joy of teaching and knew I wanted to continue working with children. I later returned to Socorro to start a family, earned a bachelor's degree in General Studies from New Mexico Tech, and began working in the CVCS after-school program.

In 2017, I became an educational assistant at CVCS. That experience gave me the opportunity to learn from students, families, and fellow educators and eventually led me to become a special education teacher. I am thankful for the many people who have supported me along the way and helped shape the teacher I am today.

Outside of school, I enjoy spending time in nature, hiking, swimming, practicing yoga, and spending time with my grown children. I am always learning and looking for ways to grow as an educator.

I am excited to continue learning alongside my students and to do my best to help each one thrive. I believe teaching has lasting ripple effects, not only in a student's life, but in families, communities, and the world around us. I take that responsibility seriously, and I feel fortunate to be part of my students' journeys here at CVCS.

Felipe Romero

Special Education Coordinator/Teacher

2nd year at CVCS

Victor Del Real

Spanish Teacher

4th year at CVCS

Antoinette Pracht

P.E. Teacher

4th year at CVCS

Margarito "Lito" Uranga

Art teacher

3rd year at CVCS

Melissa Camberos

CVCS Educational Assistant

5th year at CVCS

Zenaida Colmenero

CVCS Educational Assistant

5th year at CVCS

Zenaida was born in Albuquerque NM.  Her family moved back to their hometown of Socorro NM,  shortly after she was born. Zenaida has lived in Socorro almost all of her life. She graduated from Socorro High School in 2004. Less than a year after graduating she was hired on as an Educational assistant and Library assistant at Parkview Elementary School. After four years there, she fell in love with working with children and education.

 Zenaida then decided to attend Dona Ana Community College in Las Cruces NM, to work on her Early Childhood Education degree. After 3 years in Las Cruces she met and fell in love with her husband, Jesus Colmenero.  This lead her to move back to Socorro. Zenaida has been with her husband for 10 years and married on October 15th, 2019 in Pagosa Springs, CO.  Zenaida has two beautiful children:  Julian, is 8 years old and Hope is 6.  "They are my world!"

Zenaida has worn several hats during her career and has taught so many kids in our community. She worked for Socorro Consolidated Schools for a total of 17 years, and for the last 7 years, she found herself back in the library as the main librarian at Parkview Elementary.

 During my "Me" time, I enjoy reading, dancing, watching scary movies and spending time with my family. 

Alena Gachupin

CVCS Educational Assistant

2nd year at CVCS

I was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and spent my early childhood in Jemez Pueblo before moving to Socorro, where I was raised. I am a second-year Educational Assistant at CVCS and am currently pursuing a degree in Elementary Education. As both a staff member and parent of three students at CVCS, I am passionate about supporting children and helping them grow academically and personally. I am a proud member of the Pueblo of Jemez and enjoy sharing our culture and traditions with my children through cultural activities. Outside of school, I enjoy baking, cooking, spending time outdoors with my family, and cheering on the Denver Broncos.

Sherry Graham

CVCS Educational Assistant

4th year at CVCS

Sherry grew up in East Texas and has lived in Southern New Mexico since 2009. She currently lives in Socorro with her wonderful husband, oldest son, and their 2 dogs Duke and Daisy. She has 3 grown children and 4 grandkids that are the light of her life. Sherry has years of experience working with special needs individuals and the elderly. She enjoys gardening, playing corn-hole, and taking road-trips to see her grandkids every chance she gets. Sherry is very excited to be part of the kindergarten team and looks forward to making a difference through the children she teaches as a Kindergarten Educational Assistant.  

Miriah Villagomez

CVCS Educational Assistant

1st year at CVCS

Kristen Griego

Speech Language Pathologist

3rd year at CVCS

Mrs. Kristen Griego was born and raised in Socorro. After graduating from Socorro High School, she attended New Mexico State University where she was on the golf team and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders in 2017 and a Master of Arts in Communication Disorders in 2019. She returned to work as a school-based speech language pathologist at Socorro Consolidated Schools and now at Cottonwood Valley Charter School. In her spare time, Kristen coaches the high school golf team and enjoys spending time with her family.