Meet the Cottonwood Support Staff
Tiffany Clark, Front Office Receptionist
tiffany.clark@cottonwoodclassical.org
Ms. Tiffany is the receptionist at CCPS! Ms. Tiffany has 3 children, a great husband, and 2 dogs. She loves welcoming families. Ms.Tiffany enjoys time with her family, and friends!
Dee Sowle, Attendance Secretary
dee.sowle@cottonwoodclassical.org
Dee started out at CCPS as a parent volunteer in 2015 and moved into her current role as Attendance Secretary in 2022. She’s the proud mom of two great girls. She enjoys traveling and beach time with a good book. She also enjoys getting to know the students and interacting with parents at the front desk.
Danielle Beenders, Registrar
danielle.beenders@cottonwoodclassical.org
Danielle is the new Registrar at CCPS. She worked at a local Charter School as the Registrar and before that in the nonprofit sector. She is originally from the Netherlands and visits Europe every year. She loves to travel and read cozy mysteries in a hammock in the middle of nowhere.
Cathy Gutierrez, Office Manager
cathy.gutierrez@cottonwoodclassical.org
Ms. Gutierrez has three children, 4 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild who are my world. I’ve been in education going on my 29th year. During the summer months I’m a lunch monitor for Bernalillo County for 18 years monitoring sites around Albuquerque for Summer Lunch. I enjoy watching football, basketball and track. I enjoy working as Office Manager at CCPS learning with the students everyday.
Katherine Smith, College and Career Counselor
katherine.smith@cottonwoodclassical.org
Katherine grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She earned a BA in History and a Master’s of Education from the University of New Mexico. As a first-generation college graduate she understands that navigating the college experience and the transition into adulthood is about more than just being academically prepared. Her goal is to support ALL students in selecting post-secondary paths that carefully consider future goals, personal values, and financial considerations. Her door is always open to discuss summer programs, college and career research, or to help with applications, scholarships, resumes, and college essays. Additionally, she is the sponsor of the Socrates Chapter of the National Honor Society at CCPS.
Meghan Lowe, International Baccalaureate Diploma Program Coordinator
meghan.lowe@cottonwoodclassical.org
Meghan Lowe grew up in California. She earned her BA in History from the University of California, Berkeley. She began teaching in 2008 at an International Baccalaureate World School on the Texas-Mexico border. She moved to NM and joined the CCPS staff in 2011. She has held various roles in the CCPS History department, and is now the IB Diploma Program Coordinator, working primarily with 10th, 11th and 12th grade students, families and teachers to implement our IB program. She is passionate about our IB for All model, and wants to help students find their passions as they think about their futures.
Julie Green, Assistant Registrar
julie.green@cottonwoodclassical.org
Julie is the Assistant Registrar working remotely for CCPS. She’s been with Cottonwood since 2015 starting as the Front Office Receptionist. When it comes to her job she believes in the Golden Rule and service excellence! She’s a loyal supporter of the IB program and the IB Learner Profile Traits. Julie has 2 amazing kids that graduated from Cottonwood and has seen the benefits that an IB education has provided them. Anytime she’s not working she loves being with family and friends. She enjoys outdoor adventures, cooking, music, binge watching favorite shows and curling up with her cat and a good book.
Francine Binnert, Librarian; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator
francine.binnert@cottonwoodclassical.org
Francine, the librarian at CCPS, oversees the development and implementation of the library program. She manages collections; instructs on research, citation, and academic integrity; and ensures free, confidential access to information for students and faculty. Francine serves on the NM Battle of the Books committee, is the secretary for the NM School Librarians SIG, and trains others on intellectual freedom issues. Her interests and experiences include 974.843, 915.195, 641.3373, 794.8, and 636.8.
Additionally, Francine serves as the diversity, equity & inclusion coordinator and equity council lead. She sponsors multiple student affinity groups and assists in the implementation of professional development and student programming related to DE&I.
Madeleine Woodward, Library Assistant
madeleine.woodward@cottonwoodclassical.org
Madeleine graduated with Honors from New Mexico State University with a BA in Digital Filmmaking. She is an advocate of learning experientially through world travel, having studied abroad in Sri Lanka, France, Austria, and at the University of Kent, UK. Her passion lies in fostering students’ curiosity, helping them flourish academically, and encouraging their growth as well-rounded, self-aware, and independent thinkers. When she is not at school, she can be found all over Albuquerque, either running her portrait photography business, singing in a funk band, or doing (potentially excessive amounts) of swing dancing.
Becky Bergevin, Technology Assistant
rebekah.bergevin@cottonwoodclassical.org
Becky is the Technology Assistant at CCPS. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Statistics and a minor in Computer Science from the University of New Mexico. At CCPS she can be found assisting staff and students with technology distribution and user support.
Karen Todaro, In-House Substitute Teacher
karen.todaro@cottonwoodclassical.org
Karen was born and raised in Texas. With a diverse background in retail and banking, she has spent the last 24 years in the dental field as a front office administrator. About seven years ago, Karen began her journey with CCPS as a coach for the track and field team, a role that sparked a lasting passion. She is now in her fourth year as a substitute teacher. In her spare time, Karen enjoys running, hiking, traveling, and drawing. She also loves traveling with her husband and spending quality time with her daughter.
Nancy Stafford, School Counselor
nancy.stafford@cottonwoodclassical.org
Nancy Stafford MA, LPCC, Supervisor Certified, DBT Certified, Psychological First Aid Trainer, QPR Trainer, McKinney-Vento Liason and SEL support for staff and students. Nancy works with the general population at CCPS with a focus on helping students learn new skills in order to be effective in getting their needs met. Nancy believes collaborating with all stakeholders, including staff, students and families, is crucial to best care. Nancy loves to watch her daughters compete in soccer and is their biggest fan. Nancy also loves animals. She has two cats (King Julian and Cheddar Biscuit) and two dogs (Brother and Moose).
Elisa Garnand, School Clinical Social Worker
elisa.garnand@cottonwoodclassical.org
Elisa Garnand is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Elisa is DBT trained and has had experience in Experiential Play Therapy as well as Hospice. She earned both her Bachelors of Elementary Education degree (k-8) and Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from New Mexico Highlands University. Elisa started her career as a Teacher for APS and after 12 years in the field, decided to pursue a career in Social Work. Elisa has always enjoyed working with students and families and so School Social Work seemed to be a perfect fit! Elisa enjoys hiking, camping, and spending time with family and friends. She has many pets including two cats (Diego and Frida), two dogs (Sofee and Maggie), and two turtles (Lilith and Meredith).
Becca Youngman, In-House Diagnostician
rebecca.youngman@cottonwoodclassical.org
Becca serves as the school in house diagnostician, and middle school ELA intervention and study skills teacher. She has been in a number of large and small schools over her long education career while maintaining a passion for diverse students. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Clinical Counseling Psychology from Stephens College a Master of Science in Special Education from the University of Kansas and a certificate in Educational Leadership from Loyola University Chicago. She is very excited to be full time at Cottonwood after consulting for the past four years.
Jennifer Dennison, School Nurse
jennifer.dennison@cottonwoodclassical.org
Jennifer Dennison graduated from UNM School of Nursing Bachelors program in 1995. She has had many experiences in different nursing roles, but her passion lies with charter school nursing since 2009. She has had the pleasure to be able to work alongside many students from kindergarten to the twelfth grade. Her goal is to always be compassionate and encouraging to any student who walks through her door, and to support the students health so that they can succeed to the best of their abilities.
Paul Hedrick, Support Staff
paul.hedrick@cottonwoodclassical.org
Paul Hedrick is from Albuquerque. He enjoys walking.
Jennifer Garcia, Educational Assistant
jennifer.garcia@cottonwoodclassical.org
Mrs. Garcia was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She is a dedicated educational assistant in the special education department at CCPS, with over 20 years of classroom experience. Her journey began by volunteering in her children’s classes, eventually leading her to become an EA. As a mother, she understands the importance of creating a safe and inclusive environment for all students. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music and audiobooks, but most of all, she loves spending time with her husband, her four children, and her new granddaughter
Chris Rigali, Athletic Director, Title IX Coordinator, Sports Officiating Teacher, Safety and Security Director
christine.rigali@cottonwoodclassical.org
A native of Albuquerque, NM, Christine Rigali has a Bachelor’s of Science in Exercise and Sport Science from the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ and a Master’s of Education in Professional Leadership from Regis University, Denver, CO. Prior to joining the staff at CCPS, Ms. Rigali taught Physical Education, coached and was the athletic director for 15 years at Our Lady of Fatima School. In her first 4 years at Cottonwood Classical Prep, she taught Physical Education and for the past 6 years she has since taken on the role of Athletic Director and Safety/Security Director.
Johnny Rodriguez, Communication/Community Liaison
jonathan.rodriguez@cottonwoodclassical.org
Johnny started in non-profit work that provided mentorship for students in all walks of life. He has been involved in the education system through multiple ways. He was a tutor, substitute teacher, teacher, bilingual coordinator, coach, and now a communication and community builder! Experienced photographer/videographer/social media manager that has worked on multiple creative projects with businesses. During his free time he loves to spend time with his wife and his two dogs. Catch him at most CCPS events!
