Leadership Team
Administrator
Ms. Lori Bachman
Executive Director
Favorite Quote: “Children do not have achievement gaps we need to fill. They have gifts we need to leverage." ~ Dr. Jose Medina
Ms. Lori Bachman has her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership. She has 13 years of teaching experience in Pre-K to 8th grade in places including Hawaii, Saipan, Kuwait and Albuquerque. She also served as instructional coach for 3 years and as an educational leader for 15 years at the school, district and state levels. Her work includes 3 years as Director of a non-profit advocacy organization. While working for the state, she supported the Secretary of Education in implementing education reform in New Mexico. Ms. Bachman’s favorite hobby is cooking.
Instructional Leadership
Mrs. Heather Sickenger
Girls’ Academy Director & Instructional Coach
Co-Founder, Coral Community Charter School & Co-Founder, 21st Century Public Academy
Favorite Quote: “Your level of success is determined by your level of discipline and perseverance” ~Anonymous
Mrs. Heather Sickenger has her Bachelor of Arts in Communicative Disorders. Her teaching career spans 22 years in grades K – 8th in subject areas including Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, and Math. She taught at Taylor Middle School, 21st Century Public Academy, and Coral Community Charter School. She has served as District Test Coordinator for 13 years. Mrs. Sickenger loves to exercise, garden, cook, read, and travel. She is designated as a Highly Effective Teacher in New Mexico.
Mr. Reid Nunn
Boys Academy Director & Upper Boys Cohort Teacher
Co-Founder, Coral Community Charter School
2009 Walmart Teacher of the Year Award & 2007 Milken Award Winner
Favorite Quote: “If boys don't learn, men won't know.” ~Douglas Wilson
Mr. Reid Nunn is very happily married to his wife Kay, and has two wonderful children - Jack and Cora. He has earned a Bachelor’s degree in K – 8th grade Education, and Master’s degree in Educational Leadership. Mr. Nunn has been teaching for 25 years including 6th grade at Carlos Gilbert Elementary; 4th & 5th grades at Santa Fe McCollum Elementary; and 3rd – 7th grades at Coral Community Charter School. He was a Juvenile Correction Officer, has his third-degree black belt in Hapkido, and likes to wear shorts.
Mrs. Sasha Sanchez
Special Education Coordinator
Favorite Quote: “The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.” ~James 3:17-18
Mrs. Sasha Sanchez has her Bachelor of Arts in University Studies and Master’s degree in Special Education from the University of New Mexico. She has homeschooled her own children for the last 10 years. Mrs. Sanchez loves to read, garden, camp, snowboard, travel, and exercise.
Finance & Operations Leadership
Mrs. Katy Sanchez
School Business Official
Favorite Quote: “Our whole life is an Education — we are 'ever-learning', every moment of time, everywhere, under all circumstances something is being added to the stock of our previous attainments. Mind is always at work when once its operations commence. All men are learners, whatever their occupation, in the palace, in the cottage, in the park, and in the field. These are the laws stamped upon Humanity.” ~Edward Paxton Hood, Self-Education: Twelve Chapters for Young Thinkers, 1852
Mrs. Katy Sanchez graduated Suma Cum Lade with her Bachelor of Science degree in Family & Consumer Sciences with Business, and also achieved her Masters of Education degree in Pedagogy & Learning with Educational Technology. She has been the Chief Financial Officer for Coral Community Charter School for the last 2 year, and served on committees with the New Mexico Association of Business Managers. Mrs. Sanchez has been in this field for 10 years, and previously was the Physical Educational Teacher at CCCS for Pre-K – 7th grade. Some of her other experiences include: Pre-K Teacher, Pre-K Corporate Assistant, Kids Ministry Program Director, Chiropractic Assistant, and Marketing Coordinator. She enjoys fitness, sports, and nature's beauty.
Mrs. Julia Weeks
Operations Manager, Human Resources Representative, Registrar, & STARS Reporter
Favorite Quote: “Do what you can with what you have, wherever you are.” ~Theodore Roosevelt
Mrs. Julia Weeks has been providing support for Coral Community Charter School for the last 6 years and has helped make the school a more successful environment. She loves to go on adventures with her husband and three daughters, read, and travel.
Support Staff
Ms. Asher Willard
Front Desk Receptionist
Favorite Quote: “All kids need a little help, a little hope, and somebody who believes in them.” ~ Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr.
Ms. Asher Willard has been the receptionist at Coral Community Charter School for six years. Ms. Willard loves the atmosphere and sense of community at Coral, but most importantly the bonds she shares with the students, their families, and her fellow co-workers. Ms. Willard’s most important role and job title is being a mother to her four children. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, binge watching her favorite shows, and is a die-hard Boston Celtics and Dallas Cowboys fan.
Ms. Brenda Garcia
Front Desk Receptionist/Administrative Support
Favorite Quote: “Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant." ~ Robert Louis Stevenson.
Ms. Garcia has over 8 years of experience in charter schools, serving as a community coordinator and parent liaison. Ms. Garcia loves to make connections with families and students to better provide them with any resources or help that they may need. On her time-off, Ms. Garcia loves to spend time with her daughter, read, and explore new food spots!
Mr. Jeff Weeks
Facility Manager
Favorite Quote: “There are no problems, only solutions.” ~John Lennon
Mr. Jeff Weeks was born raised in Albuquerque, and has been in the construction industry for over 40 years. He loves camping, fishing, and spending time with his family.
Mrs. Nayamin Cisneros
Food Manager
Favorite Quote: “Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss event; small minds discuss people.” ~Eleanor Roosevelt
Mrs. Nayamin Cisneros has her Associates degree in Human Services plus 8 years of clerical experience. She is bilingual and a native Spanish speaker. Mrs. Cisneros has three young children and enjoys being around kids of all ages. She is also the Executive Director of the Coral Foundation for Excellence in Education. Mrs. Cisneros likes the outdoors and care for others.
Ms. Emma Sewell
Health Assistant
Favorite Quote: “If you had started doing anything two weeks ago, by today you would have been two weeks better at it.” ~John Mayer
Ms. Emma Sewell has an Associates Degree in Psychology. This will be her second year as an Educational Assistant in Albuquerque charter schools. Before becoming an Educational Assistant, she was an Activities Coordinator at an Assisted Living Facility in Albuquerque, providing activities and social gathering for the residents. Ms. Sewell likes to paint, garden, cook, and go on hikes. She enjoys being creative and innovative in every aspect of her life and believes that hard work can lead you to accomplish anything.
Mrs. Elizabeth Alvarez
Educational Assistant
Favorite Quote: “Intelligence plus characher is the goal of true education."~Martin Luther King Jr.
Mrs. Alvarez was a stay-at-home mother for 3 years. She was a nanny and helped care for 4 children under the age of 5, including her two children. She volunteered to coach toddlers in basketball and soccer though I-9 sports. She is a co-leader for the Girl Scout Troop 10810 here at CCCS. She has also worked with the elderly as a nursing assistant, in assisted living and memory care settings. Mrs. Alvarez is a certified Nursing assistant through the state of New Mexico, and she recently finished the Patient Care Technician certification program through CNM. Mrs. Alvarez is working towards her Associates of Applied Science in Nursing at CNM.
Teaching Team
Ms. María Nieves Bascur
Pre-K Boys Teacher
Favorite Quote: “To be or not to be." -William Shakespeare
Ms. María Nieves Bascur has her Bachelor degree in Early Childhood from ages 3 to 8 and graduated with honors. Ms. Bascur has been teaching for 17 years in Pre-K, and was an Assistant Director at the Children Learning Center. She is always smiling and punctual.
Ms. Elena Munoz
Pre-K Boys Educational Assistant
Favorite Quote: “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” -Mahatma Gandhi
Ms. Elena Munoz is pursuing her Associates in Early Childhood Multicultural Education, and has been teaching for 8 years. She is very patient, thoughtful, and loves to work with children. Ms. Munoz is married and has two children of her own, and enjoys crafting and baking.
Mrs. Brittany Ocheltree
Pre-K Girls Teacher
Favorite Quote: “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” -Dr. Seuss.
Mrs. Brittany Ocheltree graduated Cum Laude from UNM with her Bachelor of Science in Physical Education. She taught PE for 2 years at Manzano High School and 1 and a half years here at Coral. She then went back to school and got a second Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education from WNMU, graduating with high honors. Mrs. Ocheltree has been teaching Pre-Kindergarten at Coral for 2 years now and loves it because she feels she is a kid at heart. She is a mom to a spunky 2 year old little girl, a dog mom, loves to travel, be outdoors, and believes there is no such thing as bad pizza.
Ms. Christina Lauritzen
Pre-K Girls Cohort Educational Assistant
Favorite Quote: “If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.” -Ignacio Estrada
Ms. Christina Lauritzen attended New Mexico Military Institute her junior and senior year of high school and graduated with honors. She stayed for the junior college and graduated with an Associate's of Liberal Arts. Mrs. Lauritzen transferred to Adams State University and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology with an emphasis on social welfare. She has experience in the college admission process and recruiting. Mrs. Lauritzen has been able to travel all over recruiting for NMMI. She managed the incoming recruited athletes and the academy prep program. Mrs. Lauritzen worked for New Mexico Army National Guard Family Programs and oversaw the southeastern part of the state, providing local resources to New Mexico Army National Guard families. She has been involved in CCCS's PTA since 2018 and is very excited about being an Educational Assistant. Mrs. Lauritzen owns a home business, Just for you Designs by Christina LLC. She is a mother of two awesome kids who keep her busy (with sports and dance) and a wife to an Army National Guard Soldier.
Ms. Ora John
K-1 Boys Cohort Co-Teacher
Favorite Quote: Let all that you do be done with love. 1 Corinthians 16:14
Ms. John was born and raised in Gallup, New Mexico and moved to Albuquerque six years ago. She holds an Associate’s degree in Fine Arts and has earned her Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts this past summer. This will be her first year as a teacher and she’s very excited! Ms. John loves spending time with her family as well as painting, camping, and fishing.
Ms. Vola
K-1 Boys Cohort Teacher
Favorite Quote: Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Ms. John was born and raised in Gallup, New Mexico and moved to Albuquerque six years ago. She holds an Associate’s degree in Fine Arts and has earned her Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts this past summer. This will be her first year as a teacher and she’s very excited! Ms. John loves spending time with her family as well as painting, camping, and fishing.
Ms. Vanessa Grose
K/1 Girls Cohort Teacher
Favorite Quote: “We can complain that roses have thorns, or we can rejoice that thorn bushes have roses.” -Abraham Lincoln
Ms. Grose has obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation & Sports Management. She plans to get her Master's in Education and Administration from ENMU. For the past 4 years she has been working on a cruise ship where she was the Youth & Family Programs Manager. Ms. Grose is passionate about outdoor & environmental education directing resident camps for many years. She enjoys spending time with her dogs, the ocean and any kind of sports.
Ms. Jill Urban
1/2 Girls Cohort Teacher
Favorite Quote: “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." -Aristotle
Mrs. Urban graduated with High Honors from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology with her Bachelor’s degree in University Studies. She has been in the Education field for 19 years. She worked at Cottonwood Valley Charter School for 16 years prior to Coral Community Charter School. Her service includes K-8 librarian; middle school electives teacher; coordinator of Big Idea, Art, and Book Groups; special events coordinator for the Spring Fling, Talent Show, Winter Crafts, Winter Concert, Fall Festival, bake sales, 8th grade trip, and too many more to list. Prior to her employment in schools, Mrs. Urban worked for architects, a gym, and even a burger stand. She has a cat rescue called Claws and Paws. In her free time, she loves to read, do puzzles, garden, play games, travel, spend time with her family, make paper crafts, crochet, watch cooking shows, and make movies.
Mrs. Jodie Clarke
1/2 Boys Cohort Teacher
Favorite Quote: “Practice makes permanent. Perfect practice makes perfect."
Mrs. Jodie Clarke has her bachelor’s in Physical Education from UNM and her master’s in Instructional Leadership from Wayland Baptist University. Mrs. Clarke has been in education for 17 years, working with kindergarten to high school seniors. She has 3 kids and spends most of her free time at her kids sporting events.
Mrs. Yvonne Corder
2/3 Boys Cohort Teacher
Favorite Quote: "The greatest gift we can give our children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence"-Maria Montessori
Mrs. Corder graduated from SUNY College at Buffalo in NY in 1992 with a Bachelor's in Early Education and child development. She spent the bulk of her career teaching Prek-3rd grade in New York and in Arkansas, but has done educational case management through 12th grade. She home educated her two children for most of their lives and they are now both in College at UNM. Her hobbies include traveling, crafting and being outdoors in nature.
Mrs. Saravahn Simpson
2/3 Girls Cohort Teacher
Favorite Quote: “Teachers who love teaching, teach children to love learning." -Robert John Meehan
Mrs. Saravahn Simpson was born and raised in New Mexico. She graduated Magna cum Laude with her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of New Mexico. She taught in Los Lunas her first five years; 3rd grade for two years and 1st grade for three years. She loves to read, spend time with her family and friends, and travel.
Ms. Barbara Brech
3/4 Boys Cohort Teacher
Favorite Quote: “When you play, play hard. When you work hard don't play at all."- T. Roosevelt
Ms. Barbara Brech has her Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Relations, and a Master’s Degree in Education. She has 9 years of teaching experience in 1st and 2nd grade and 5 years of Pre-K. Ms. Brech worked at Rio Rancho Public Schools for 9 years prior to Coral Community Charter School. Her service included being a general education teacher, coordinating the Community Involvement team, and facilitating the school community food pantry. Ms. Brech loves to read, hike, travel, and spend time with family.
Mr. Harold Thompson
3/4 Boys Cohort Educational Assistant
Favorite Quote: “The harder I work the luckier I get.” -Thomas Jefferson
Mr. Thompson has coached JR Tennis full time since 2001. He has also coached at the private sector and college level where he was the Head Coach of the Men’s Tennis team at Erskine College. Hal Graduated at Erskine College with a degree in History. He has been a EA at CCCS for 1 year.
Ms. Jessica Schiffman
3/4 Girls Cohort Teacher
Favorite Quote: "Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment, until it becomes a memory." -Dr. Seuss
Jessica Schiffman is in the process of completing her Bachelors in Elementary Education. She spent 2 years as a Pre-K Assistant Teacher, 1 year as a Substitute Teacher, and 3 years as an Educational Assistant. Ms. Schiffman has worked with children from Birth to 5 years old at La Petite, and ran a daycare out of her home for many years, teaching 3 and 4-year old children. She has two children, ages 5 and 10. In her spare time, she loves to read books. She has a love for teaching and working with children.
Mrs. Melissa Vasquez
Upper Girls Cohort Teacher
Favorite Quote: “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new."- Albert Einstein
Mrs. Melissa Vasquez has her Bachelor of Science degree in Middle School Education, and has been a teacher for the past 24 years. She grew up in the Midwest, but has loved calling New Mexico home for the past 18 years. She loves the St. Louis Cardinals, camping, books, cooking, and of course spending time with family and friends.
Ms. Marianna Elizabeth
Special Education Teacher
Favorite Quote: “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." -Maya Angelou
Ms. Marianna Elizabeth earned her Master’s degree in Special Education in 2017 and has her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She has been teaching for 8 years in Albuquerque, Los Alamos, and Espanola. Ms. Elizabeth enjoys playing games, spiritual groups and faith development, reading, and hiking.
Ms. Cynthia Redner
Reading Support Teacher
Favorite Quote: “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ms. Redner has a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Ladycliff College in Highland Falls, New York. She has her Masters of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia, and her Ed. Specialist Certificate in Multi-Cultural Education from UNM. Her teaching experience includes first grade for seven years in Hinesville, Georgia, and 28 years with APS in grades K-5 at Sandia Base Elementary School. She has also mentored many new teachers through the APS/ATF/UNM Mentor Program. Ms. Redner loves spending time with her family and friends, especially her two beautiful grandchildren.
Mr. Kevin Urban
PE Coach
Favorite Quote: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going."- Unknown
Mr. Kevin Urban is working on his Associates in Biology at CNM, and holds a New Mexico Public Education Educational Assistant license. He has spent a lot of time in the past working with students at Coral Community Charter School while substitute teaching in different classrooms from Pre-K through 6th grade. Mr. Urban has previously been a lifeguard and serving food in the restaurant industry. He formerly held the title of all district and state high school soccer player, and he loves to garden, backpack, animals and sports.
Ms. Alexa Grodner
Art Teacher
Favorite Quote: “Life is what happens to you, while you're busy making other plans."- John Lennon
Ms. Grodner studied Fine Arts at the University of Illinois, and sculpture at the Academy in Florence, Italy. She studied marble carving and foundry work in the studios of Carrara and Pietrasanta Italy. Ms. Grodner says, “After 40 years as an artist, educator, chef, parent, grandparent and ever-creative spirit I have found that no matter where I am or what I am doing, the creative process is always in some way involved. I feel that art is a ‘collaboration’ with what surrounds us at any moment in time.” Having her own two children brought her to her present interest of working with and supporting children in education. Ms. Grodner has worked with APS and charter schools for the last 20 years, as well as private summer school programs including Albuquerque Academy, NM Jazz Workshop, Sandia Prep, and the Menaul School. Her interests are art, cooking, travel and connecting with Nature.