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Meet Our Teachers and Staff

At Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School, our greatest strength is our people. Every teacher, advisor, and staff member plays a vital role in shaping a learning environment where students are known, challenged, and supported every step of the way.

Our faculty are not only highly qualified—many with advanced degrees and International Baccalaureate training—but deeply committed to student growth. Whether they’re leading engaging discussions, offering one-on-one mentorship, or encouraging students to think critically and act ethically, our educators bring passion and purpose to everything they do.

Behind every achievement at Cottonwood is a team of professionals who believe in the power of a great education—and in your child’s ability to thrive

Aidan Kiley

  • English
Alejandro Torres

Director of Technology & Infrastructure

  • Administrative Team
Alex Gowan

Art Teacher

  • Electives
Alexandria Ross

11th Grade English Teacher

  • English
Alyssa Trujillo

7th & 8th Grade History

  • Social Studies
Amanda Kraft

8th Physical Science and 9th grade Biology

  • Science
Amarilis Matteo

Visual Arts

  • Electives
Amber Curtis-Trudell

6th Grade English Teacher

  • English
Amber Curtis-Trudell, 6th Grade English Teacher
Andrea Lee

Math Teacher

  • Math
Andrea Lopez

6th and 7th Grade English Language Arts; Director of Special Education

  • English
AnnaMarie Brown

Geometry & Algebra 2

  • Math
Audra Garcia

6th Grade Math Teacher; Math Department Chair

  • Math
Becca Youngman

In-House Diagnostician

  • Support Staff
Becky Bergevin

Technology Teacher and Technology Assistant

  • Support Staff
Benjamin Garcia

Principal

  • Administrative Team
Bill Torres

10th Grade We the People Teacher

  • Social Studies
Bryan Bradbury

Math Teacher and Admin Intern

  • Math
Bryan Cutler

Middle School Physical Education

  • Electives
Bryant Johnson

After School Programs Director

  • Administrative Team
Bryant Johnson, After School Programs Director
Carisa Petrie

Assistant Director for Compliance & Support

  • Administrative Team
Carter Weska

Technology Teacher

  • Electives
Carter Weska, IB Business Management
Cathy Gutierrez

Office Manager

  • Support Staff
Chris Rigali

Athletic Director, Title IX Coordinator, Sports Officiating Teacher, Safety and Security Director

  • Support Staff
Cliff Garrett

Math Teacher

  • Math
Cody O

Danielle Beenders

Registrar

  • Support Staff
David Meidinger

Algebra 1 Teacher

  • Math
Dee Sowle

Attendance Secretary

  • Support Staff
Dolores Jensen

Spanish Teacher

  • Languages
Eli Feliciano

9th Grade English Teacher

  • English
Eli Feliciano, 9th Grade English Teacher
Elisa Garnand

LCSW School Clinical Social Worker

  • Support Staff
Francine Binnert

Librarian; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator

  • Support Staff
Fred Hintze

6th Grade Earth and Space Science Teacher

  • Science
Gabriela Remache

7th Grade English Teacher

Gilbert Chavez

Performing Arts

  • Electives
Gregery Holland

Dean of Students

  • Administrative Team
Ian Geib

10th Grade Chemistry, IB Biology, and IB ESS Teacher

  • Science
Isaiah Nixon

10th Grade US History Teacher; Social Studies Department Chair

  • Social Studies
Jenna Griffin

Exploring French Teacher

  • Languages
Jennifer Dennison

School Nurse

  • Support Staff
Jennifer Garcia

Receptionist

  • Support Staff
Jennifer Nevdahl

6th Grade Ancient Civilizations

  • Social Studies
Jennifer Nevdahl, 9th Grade World History and Geography Teacher
Jennifer Reid-Smith

8th Grade Biology Teacher

  • Science
Jessica Esquibel

Middle School Technology

  • Electives
John Tennison

IB Math Teacher

  • Math
Johnny Rodriguez

Communication/Community Liaison

  • Support Staff
Joy VanLief

7th Grade Life Science Teacher

  • Science
Julie Green

Assistant Registrar/Lottery and Enrollment Coordinator

  • Support Staff
Kai Frick

IB History and IB Core Teacher

  • Social Studies
Karen Todaro

In-House Substitute Teacher

  • Support Staff
Katherine Smith

College and Career Counselor

  • Support Staff
Keith Burnstein

8th Grade English Teacher – Department Chair

  • English
Lauren Farmer

12th Grade English Teacher

  • English
Leah Blankenship

Spanish I & Spanish II Teacher

  • Languages
Lisa Wallhagen

IB Psychology Teacher and EE Coordinator

  • Social Studies
M. Ramos-Molina

6th & 7th Grade Math Teacher

  • Math
Madeleine Woodward

Library Assistant

  • Support Staff
Madeline Alford

Exploring Spanish and Spanish 1 Teacher

  • Languages
Maggie Bradney

10th Grade Chemistry and IB Chemistry Teacher

  • Science
Marcia Elliott

Spanish Teacher / Department Chair

  • Languages
Maria Clara Herrera Rekow

Spanish Teacher

  • Languages
Meghan Lowe

International Baccalaureate Diploma Program Coordinator

  • Support Staff
Melissa Torres

Spanish 2 and IB Spanish Teacher; ELL Coordinator

  • Languages
Michelle Durkin

8th Grade Early US History Teacher

  • Social Studies
Mike Ziemniak

Exploring French and IB French, School Garden Manager

  • Languages
Mr. Brian DeMone

Middle School Physical Education

  • Electives
Ms. Lina Ramos

IB Theater and Performing Arts Teacher

  • Electives
Nancy Stafford

LPCC Mental Health School Counselor

  • Support Staff
Nancy Stafford, LPCC Mental Health School Counselor
Natalia Torres

Spanish I & Spanish III Teacher

  • Languages
Patricia Spitz

Algebra 2 Teacher and Testing Coordinator

  • Math
Paul Hedrick

Support Staff

  • Support Staff
Peter Lukes

IB Core Teacher and CAS Coordinator

  • Social Studies
Quilimaca Padilla

IB Math Teacher and BYU Credit Recovery Facilitator

  • Math
Rick Redington

IB Philosophy and IB Core Teacher

  • Social Studies
RJ Perez

Music Teacher; Arts Department Chair

  • Electives
Robert Mattingly

9th Grade Physics and IB Physics Teacher; Science Department Chair

  • Science
Robert Mattingly, 9th Grade Physics and IB Physics Teacher; Science Department Chair
Russel Friedman

Spanish Teacher/Heritage Language Coordinator

  • Languages
Samantha Hawley

IB Visual Arts Teacher

  • Electives
Samantha Hawley, IB Visual Arts Teacher
Shay Todaro

High School Physical Education Teacher; Department Chair; Biology Teacher

  • Electives
  • Science
Simon Dyer

Technology Assistant

  • Support Staff
Stephanie Jones

9th Advanced NM History Teacher

  • Social Studies
Tiffany Clark

Administrative Assistant

  • Support Staff
Wesley Cole

NM History & World History

  • Social Studies