Coral Community Charter School

 

 

 

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.

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Ms. Anhelica Rodriguez
Pre-K Boys Educational Assistant 

Favorite Quote: “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” - Benjamin Franklin 

Ms. Rodriguez just finished her Associate’s degree in early childhood education. She will receive her Bachelor’s degree in Spring 2026. This is her 4th year working with children. On her free time she loves hanging out with family or going to watch new movies.  

 

Ms. Elena Munoz
Pre-K Girls Teacher

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.

 

Ms. Litzy Salinas
Pre-K Girls Educational Assistant 

Favorite Quote: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela.

Ms. Salinas, is excited to be a part of this amazing team! She is currently pursuing her nursing degree, and is passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of others, especially through care, support, and education.  

 

Mrs. Brittany Ocheltree
K/1 Boys Cohort 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 one 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 taught Pre-K Girls at Coral for 5 years and now has moved to teaching K/1 Boys and is super excited for the new challenge. She is a mom to a spunky 4 year old girl, a silly 2 year old boy, and 2 dogs. She loves to travel, be outdoors, and believes there is no such thing as bad pizza.

 

Ms. Nancy Lowell
K/1 Girls Cohort Teacher 

Favorite Quote: "To succeed in life you need three things:  a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone."  Reba McEntire

Ms. Lowell graduated from UCLA with an undergraduate degree in Women's Studies, and a Master’s degree in elementary education in 2006.  She’s been teaching ever since from pre-K to second grade.  She moved to Albuquerque from Denver 5 years ago, and loves it here!  She spent four years teaching first grade at  Annunciation Catholic School before transferring to the public sector.  She loves her crazy cats, quilting and playing with fabric,  and most of all, she loves teaching!

 

Ms. Montana Sanchez
K/1 Girls Cohort Educational Assistant

Favorite Quote: "It seems impossible until it's done" - Nelson Mandela.

Ms. Sanchez is excited to be working at Coral. She is a student at UNM working to get her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. In her spare time, she likes to spend time with family and friends, go to baseball games, and watch her shows. She hopes to make a great impression with the kiddos and have fun learning with them.

 

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. Saravahn Simpson
1/2 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; 3^rd grade for two years and 1^st grade for three years. She loves to read, spend time with her family and friends, and travel.

 

Mrs. Angelica Clayton
2/3 Boys Cohort Teacher

Favorite Quote: “Believe you can and you're halfway there. " -Theodore Roosevelt 

Mrs. Angelica Clayton has been a 1st and 2nd grade teacher in New Mexico for 6 years. She has her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communications. In her downtime, she loves to write, read, go camping and spend time with family.

 

Ms. Naomi Vijeila
2/3 Girls Cohort Teacher  

Favorite Quote: "Education is an important element in the struggle for human rights. It is the means to help our children and thereby increase self-respect. Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today." -Malcolm X 

Ms. Naomi Vijeila graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a B.A. in Political Science. After she graduated in 2020, she joined Teach for America and moved to Albuquerque to teach independent thinkers and learners in fifth and sixth grade. Ms. V spent five years in middle school and is now embarking on the fun and exciting journey that is elementary school!

 

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. Asher Willard
3/4 Boys Cohort Educational Assistant

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. 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

Ms. Schiffman has had the joy of being part of the Coral community for over 10 years. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in University Studies with a focus in Business Administration and Elementary Education, and is currently working toward a Master’s in Educational Technologies. She is passionate about supporting young learners as they grow both academically and personally.  She strives to create a nurturing and engaging environment that encourages curiosity, creativity, and confidence.  Outside of the classroom, she loves spending quality time with my family. Whether we’re traveling, playing board games, or planning fun theme dinner nights, she cherishes every moment. She is also an avid reader and always has a good book nearby.

 

 

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.

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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. 

 

Carlos Hurtado
Special Education Teacher

Favorite Quote: “The will of God will never send you where the grace of God cannot protect you” -Billy Graham

Mr. Hurtado has 13 years of teaching experience as a Special education teacher in both Arizona and New Mexico. He served 5 years on active duty in the United States Marine Corps and is a combat veteran. He has a master's in special education from the University of Phoenix. He is currently pursuing an Educational Specialist degree as an Educational Diagnostician from Northwest Missouri State University. 

 

Amor Quiohilag
Special Education Teacher

Favorite Quote: "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I may remember. Involve me and I learn." -Benjamin Franklin

Mrs. Amor Quiohilag is a cultural exchange teacher and proudly shares her rich Philippine culture and traditions with her New Mexican pupils. She has her Bachelor’s Degree in English Language and Arts, and a Master’s Degree in Special Education. She is a certified teacher in the Philippines, New Zealand, Canada, and New Mexico. She has been teaching for 18 years from Pre K to High School and has been a directress of a Preschool that she and her supportive husband built. She loves organizing charity works, enjoys travel and nature, and values family time. 

 

Novae Lira-Pérez (Novae, they)
Educational Assistant

Favorite Quote: "As a classroom community, our capacity to generate excitement is deeply affected by our interest in one another, in hearing one another's voices, in recognizing one another's presence." -bell hooks

Mx. Novae Lira-Pérez, originally from Wyoming, moved to Albuquerque in 2016 to complete the American Studies Master's program at UNM (graduated in 2020). Mx. Novae worked primarily as a Bilingual (Spanish/English) Educational Assistant in K-12 charter schools in the International District area since 2019. Novae is a parent to a fiery 4-year-old Sagittarius, they are also a business owner, private language tutor, and yoga and meditation teacher. Novae deeply enjoys spending 1:1 time with loved ones, long solo walks/hikes, swimming, bodywork material of any kind, reading, dabbling in performance arts and writing.

 

Ms. Vanessa Gualeni
Social Worker

Favorite Quote: "Kindness can become its own motive. We are made kind by being kind." – Eric Hoffer

Ms. Vanessa Gualeni (LMSW) has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of New Mexico and a Master's degree in Social Work from New Mexico Highlands University. Vanessa loves cooking, training dogs and film photography. Most of all, Vanessa loves working with children of all backgrounds to become their best self.

 

Mr. Walter Sanchez
IEP Specialist

Favorite Quote: "Do the absolute best with what you are given today."-Unknown

I have been blessed to teach Special Education in New Mexico for more than 20 years. My family and I enjoy traveling, especially to Colorado and Idaho whenever we have the opportunity.

Outside of the classroom, I am often involved in basketball. I have spent the past 29 years coaching and officiating high school basketball, and I currently serve as Vice President of the New Mexico Officials Association as well as the Southwest Commissioner of Officials.