Meet the Science Department
Fred Hintze, 6th Grade Earth and Space Science Teacher
fred.hintze@cottonwoodclassical.org
Mx. Hintze is from wherever they unpacked last, but has been in Albuquerque almost long enough to be considered to belong here. Teaching is his passion: “Bearing the banner of the whole Baconian Edeavour, at the barricades”. They consider their job to be preparing sixth graders to take over the world.
Joy VanLief, 7th Grade Life Science Teacher
joy.vanlief@cottonwoodclassical.org
Joy is a middle school science teacher who spends much of her time finding ways to optimize learning for herself and others. Education is her second profession, after a career in child development research. She loves being in the classroom doing science and learning alongside her students.
Jennifer Reid-Smith, 8th Grade Biology Teacher
jen.reidsmith@cottonwoodclassical.org
Dr. Reid-Smith has an undergraduate degree in Biology from UNM. She also attended Iowa State University where she earned a MS in Science Education and a Ph.D. in Education. She is currently in her 8th year of teaching at CCP and currently teaches 8th Grade Physical Science. During her free time, Dr. Reid-Smith enjoys being outside, nature photography, crafting, reading, and designing in Canva.
Robert Mattingly, 9th Grade Physics and IB Physics Teacher; Science Department Chair
robert.mattingly@cottonwoodclassical.org
Robert Mattingly is a full time Dungeon Master. When not consuming himself with map making and campaign creation, he teaches Physics for the general masses (9th grade) as well as the IB students (who are vastly superior to the biology students).
Maggie Bradney, 10th Grade Chemistry and IB Chemistry Teacher
margaret.bradney@cottonwoodclassical.org
Professor Bradney has been teaching at CCPS for 12 years, she has taught physics, biology and chemistry in that time. She is currently teaching 10th grade Chemistry and IB DP Chemistry. She chose to teach at CCPS because she attended international schools in the United States and the United Kingdom and values the perspective that she gained from a broader education. Professor Bradney is drawn to teaching science because she asks a lot of questions about how things work.
Ian Geib, 10th Grade Chemistry, IB Biology, and IB ESS Teacher
ian.geib@cottonwoodclassical.org
Mr. Geib has been at CCPS for 10 years and has taught IB Biology, IB Environmental Systems and Societies, IB Sports Exercise Health Science, 9th grade biology, and 10th grade chemistry. With a background in Biology/Microbiology and Chemistry he was drawn to science out of insatiable curiosity to better understand the world around us, and to teaching as a way to share this fascination with others in a way that meaningfully shapes and encourages others to critically explore and better appreciate the world around them.
Amanda Kraft, 7th & 8th Grade Life Science
amanda.kraft@cottonwoodclassical.org
Mandy is new to Cottonwood this year and excited to be a part of the Science team. She is a National Board Certified Teacher in literacy. She brings over a decade of teaching experience with her, primarily in dual language classrooms. Accolades in science include winning the school science fair in Kindergarten, as well as being awarded as a state finalist in the Presidential Awards for Math and Science Teaching. Outside of the classroom she enjoys spending time with her family and pets, skiing and playing ultimate frisbee.
Shay Todaro, Biology
shay.todaro@cottonwoodclassical.org
Shay has an undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Texas at San Antonio. He also attend the University of New Mexico where he earned his degree in Science Education and a Masters degree in Secondary Education. He teaches IB Biology and Physical Education. He has been an educator for 22 years and is currently in his 14th year at CCPS.
