APS Teachers Achieve National Board Certification

Posted February 27, 2025, 2:10 PM. Updated February 27, 2025, 2:30 PM.

Honoring Educators Committed to Excellence and Professional Growth.

Albuquerque Public Schools proudly announces that 38 of our dedicated educators have achieved National Board Certification in 2024, with an additional 40 successfully renewing their certification. This accomplishment underscores APS's commitment to educational excellence and positions our district among the top in the nation for the number of National Board Certified Teachers.

National Board Certification, offered by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), is a highly respected professional certification available in K-12 education. Designed to develop, retain and recognize accomplished teachers, the certification process involves a rigorous, standards-based assessment that evaluates teaching practice through four components: Content Knowledge, Differentiation in Instruction, Teaching Practice and Learning Environment, and Effective and Reflective Practitioner. Achieving this certification signifies a teacher's commitment to excellence and continuous professional growth.

Celebrating Our Newly Certified Teachers

In 2024, the following APS educators have earned their National Board Certification:

Christine Aguilar – Chamiza Elementary School
Ellen Becker-Jaffe – Alamosa Elementary School
Candice Begay – La Cueva High School
Catherine Bethell – Lowell Elementary School
Mary Bradford – La Mesa Elementary School
Jill Broderick – North Star Elementary School
Tara Byers – Mary Ann Binford Elementary School
Alex Casarez – Albuquerque High School
Charles Ciernia – Los Padillas Elementary School
Trisha Dreskin-Evans – Lowell Elementary School
Jamey Estrada – Tierra Antigua Elementary School
Amy Frank – Los Padillas Elementary School
Sarah Harada – Bellhaven Elementary School
Kari Healey – Carlos Rey Elementary School
Elizabeth Hill – Albuquerque High School
Rebecca Kram – Mitchell Elementary School
Brian Kruis – La Cueva High School
Jacqueline Lieberman – Hubert Humphrey Elementary School
Madison Madrid – Ventana Ranch Elementary School
Jeremiah Neely – LB Johnson Middle School
Kathleen Neuber – Nex+Gen Academy
Kenneth Ortega – Eldorado High School
Nuria Ortiz-Mingorance – Los Ranchos Elementary School
Deandra Pierre-Louis – Emerson Elementary School
Tiffany Pierre – Hubert Humphrey Elementary School
Deborah Rannals – La Mesa Elementary School
Sara Rodriguez – Alamosa Elementary School
Aubry Ruple – Janet Kahn Integrated Arts Magnet
Sean Sacoman – Sandia High School
Sara Samani – Eldorado High School
Miranda Sena Campa – Atrisco Elementary School
Dale Simpkins – Hoover Middle School
Jon Stauss – James Monroe Middle School
Melissa Williams – Sandia High School
Angela Wood – Georgia O'Keeffe Elementary School
Taylor Yagow – Ventana Ranch Elementary School
Lorin Ybarra – Alamosa Elementary School
Ashley Zamora-Rizzieri – Lowell Elementary School

Recognizing Our Renewed NBCTs

The following educators have successfully renewed their National Board Certification in 2024:

Angela Bogner – MacArthur Elementary School
H. Turtle Haste – Desert Ridge Middle School
Heather Wing – Curriculum and Instruction
Eve Alcon – MacArthur Elementary School
Dawna Berkompas – Nex-Gen Academy
Jacqueline Brucker – eCademy Virtual High School
Tanya Dillon – Hubert Humphrey Elementary School
Julia Dumars – South Valley Academy
Karla Gade – Curriculum and Instruction
Danielle Gutierrez – Truman Middle School
Neysa Hardin – Sandia High School
Kristen Heighberger-Ortiz – Montezuma Elementary School
Benjamin Ippel – Governor Bent Elementary School
Elizabeth Lopez – Alvarado Elementary School
Marila Mancha-Garcia – Nex+Gen Academy
Diane Marino – Alvarado Elementary School
Eleanor Martindale – Mission Avenue Elementary School
Sha Marie Martinez – Stephen Moody Complex
Nicole McCormick – Inez Elementary School
Jamen Medina – Hoover Middle School
Philip Olona – eCADEMY K-8 School
Colleen Orlovsky – Grant Middle School
Patricia Pohl – 21st Century Public Academy
Christine Ragsdale – Manzano High School
Julie Renegar – Seven Bar Elementary School
Monique Rosales – Manzano Mesa Elementary School
Dana Salvador – Truman Middle School
Almitra Sanchez – Albuquerque High School
Kimberly Sant – Hubert Humphrey Elementary School
Sarah Schmitz – Volcano Vista High School
Tammy Spaulding – S.Y. Jackson Elementary School
Melanie Telles – Alamosa Elementary School
Laura White – Nex+Gen Academy
Andrea Whitlock – Del Norte High School
Erin Wrobel – Tomasita Elementary School
Annette Youngren – Tony Hillerman Middle School
Talia Edgar – A. Montoya Elementary School
Shannon McCrady – Polk Middle School
Marybeth Montano – Title 1
Melissa Schold – Chaparral Elementary School

Congratulations to each of our educators who put in countless hours to earn their certification. We are so proud to have you on the APS team!