Anansi is fortunate to have exceptional teachers and other staff members who are passionate about teaching children. We believe in working as a strong team.

Staff List & Emails for Contacting Staff

Director:
Michele Hunt, mhunt@anansi.acstaos.org 

Michele Hunt is one of the co-founders of the Anansi Charter School. She is committed to the ongoing development and learning involved in creating the quality and unique educational opportunities that the Anansi Charter School offers. Michele has degrees and training in early childhood development, elementary education, educational leadership, and more. She loves her work with the children, parents, and staff that make up the Anansi community.

Office Manager, Registrar, Student Nutrition:
Tracy Tarleton, tracy@anansi.acstaos.org

Tracy enjoys working closely with all the students, teachers, and staff and helping them out with various tasks. She also likes that the staff works together as a team and helps each other out in a time of need.

Administrative Assistants:
Roberta Martinez, rmartinez@anansi.acstaos.org
Alina Bain, abain@anansi.acstaos.org

Kindergarten:
Teacher: Alicia Vigil, avigil@anansi.acstaos.org
Educational Assistant: Stephanie Vigil

First Grade:
Teacher: Andrea Martinez-Roybal, amartinez@anansi.acstaos.org
Educational Assistant: Paula Medina

Second Grade:
Teacher: Judit Furesz, jfuresz@anansi.acstaos.org
Educational Assistant: Alexia Raveloson

Third Grade:
Teacher: Rachel Wetmore, rwetmore@anansi.acstaos.org

Fourth Grade:
Teacher: Jennifer Porter, jporter@anansi.acstaos.org

Fifth Grade:
Teacher: Eva Behrens, ebehrens@anansi.acstaos.org

Eva Behrens enjoys the fifth grade age group and how students are exploring their own ability to research, try out new ways of thinking, and learn independently. She is excited to act as facilitator in their journey toward empowerment and the discovery of new perspectives and concepts.

Sixth Grade:
Teacher: Elsbeth Atencio, eatencio@anansi.acstaos.org

Getting to teach Anansi Charter Schools 6th graders is like winning the lottery to Elsbeth. She can’t imagine a better way to spend her days. After years of teaching outdoor science classes and park rangering – here in Taos and around the west, Elsbeth is happy to share her experiences and passions with the students of Anansi. Each day, she tries to balance the classroom with loads of fun, plenty of hard work, and a sprinkling of silliness! Besides hanging out with 5th graders, Elsbeth enjoys many things: time with her family, hikes in the mountains, frequent naps, incredible sunsets, and her secret life as a birdwatcher.

Seventh & Eighth Grade:
English Language Arts & Social Studies: Conrad Cooper, ccooper@anansi.acstaos.org
Math & Science: Kaila Pavelka Dickey, kdickey@anansi.acstaos.org

Spanish Language grades K-4:
Teacher: Ariel Abolitz, aabolitz@anansi.acstaos.org

Spanish Language grades 5-8:
Teacher: Margarita Maes, mmaes@anansi.acstaos.org

Special Education:
Director: Lisa Woolery, lwoolery@anansi.acstaos.org

Teachers: Peg Bartlett, Ashley Willock, Jourdan van Culin, Kelly Farewell, Rebecca Porter

Gifted Education (robotics, STEAM, speech and debate):
Enhancement Teacher: Joelle VanWilligen, jvanwilligen@anansi.acstaos.org

The Gifted Education program at Anansi Charter School serves students in 2nd grade through 8th who have demonstrated an aptitude for needing and or wanting more enrichment. Most of the students who participate have an IEP that has diagnosed them through the State of New Mexico’s definition of Gifted Education. The program is designed to provide enriching opportunities for students to explore topics in more depth. Some of the exploration occurs in a pull out setting and some occurs independently in class.

Literacy Coach:
Teacher: Annalise Zosel, azosel@anansi.acstaos.org

Reading / Literacy Interventionist Assistant:
Assistant: Barbara Salazar

Physical Education Teacher:
Teacher: Jourdan van Culin

Arts Facilitator:
Teacher: Caitlin Alexander

Family Navigator:
Risa Lehrer Draney

Speech Therapist:
Areana Dru

Occupational Therapist:
Martie Lockwood

Aftercare Teacher:
Will be provided by Inspire

Title IX Contact:
Kaila Pavelka-Dickey, kdickey@anansi.acstaos.org

IEP Coordinator:
Lisa Woolery, lwoolery@anansi.acstaos.org

504 Plan Coordinator:
Michele Hunt, mhunt@anansi.acstaos.org

SAT Coordinator:
Annalise Zosel, azosel@anansi.acstaos.org

Community School Coordinator:
Karina Gersten, kgersten@anansi.acstaos.org

School Nurse:
Betsy Coniglio, bconiglio@anansi.acstaos.org