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Administration Staff

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Administration Staff

Executive Administration

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Todd Knouse

Head of School

Interests: Kids, gardens, pets and other things that grow with care.
Things that make me smile: The sound of kids playing and learning
Educational Philosophy:  Schools and parents are partners in educating children.
Favorite Part of My Job: Visiting classrooms when class is in session
My Hero:  Marcus Aurelius
What I value Most:  finding meaning in the challenges of life
Sarah Schulman

Sarah Schulman

General Education Director

Interests: I enjoy finding and trying out new recipes, especially Mediterranean and Asian fusion. I also love jogging, going to hockey games, and playing music (violin and cello). 

Things that make me smile: My goofy, lovable dachshund mix

Educational Philosophy:  If we teachers are to make a difference in our students’ lives, we must remain open minded, patient, and committed to learning how. Our journey as learners never ends.

Favorite Part of My Job: Coming into school each morning and seeing our students’ smiling faces. The fact that they love being here at NMIS is testament to the amazing work our teachers are doing. 

My Hero: My step-grandfather. He was a selfless man who dedicated his life to helping and saving others as an EMT. 

Joanna Cosbey

Joanna Cosbey

Special Education Director

I “won the lottery” by finding a faculty position at UNM and was able to move back to Albuquerque with my PhD to start my family. I was on the faculty of the UNM Special Education program from 2006-2013. During that time, in addition to teaching traditional special education courses, I also coordinated the Educational Diagnostician Preparation program and began providing consulting services to the NM Public Education Department around evaluations and services for children with disabilities. In 2013, I moved to “north campus” and became faculty in the Occupational Therapy Graduate Program. I continued to focus on providing meaningful supports and opportunities for children with disabilities in school and other community settings, with an emphasis on empowerment of the children and their parents.
In 2019, I decided I was ready for a new challenge. As my husband said, I entered the “gig economy.” I now wear many hats: special education director at NMIS, occupational therapist for early intervention programs and other schools, trainer/consultant for the PED Special Education Bureau, and trainer/consultant/professional development provider for districts and educational cooperatives throughout the state.
I love the opportunity to help professionals think differently about how we provide supports to students with disabilities to help them meet their potential and be meaningfully and actively engaged in the general curriculum. I truly believe that the work we do to support students with disabilities makes our community a better place for all of our children–including my three living children (two middle-schoolers and one at NMIS).

 

Corinne Teller

Corinne Teller

Finance and Operations Director

Interests: Yoga, Hiking, Weight Lifting, Skiing, Paddleboarding, Camping, Salsa dancing
Things that make me smile: My husband, true friends, happy people and family.
Favorite Part of My Job:  Putting processes in place to make everyone’s job a little easier and ensuring there is enough money to make sure it stays that way.  Helping others become the best they can be.
My Hero: My dad and my husband
What I value Most: Honesty, hard work, loyalty
Christopher Luna

Christopher Luna

Student Support Director

Interests: Baseball, Family, Travel

Things that make me smile: Baseball, Family, Travel

Educational Philosophy: Being open to all learning is the pathway to enlightenment.

Favorite Part of My Job: Getting to know students

My Hero: Mom

What I value Most: Perseverance

Office Administration

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Angel Martinez

Operations Manager

 Interests: Art, Sports, Fitness, Mystery/horror books
Things that make me smile: My baby girl, family
Favorite Part of My Job:  Seeing things improve or run smoothly
My Hero: My Mom
What I value Most: God, Family, Respect, Knowledge
Roadrunner

Carmen Farello

Registrar

Interests: Dance (salsa, merengue and some bachata) and Reading when traveling
Things that make me smile: Spending time with family, traveling places that are warm and sunny
Favorite Part of My Job:  Interacting with the students, teachers and parents
My Hero: My Mom
What I value Most: God and Family 
Neiba Molinar

Neiba Molinar

Finance Manager

Interests:Dancing, Reading, Outdoors activities.
Things that make me smile: My children, Friends, and Family. 
Favorite Part of My Job: There is nothing like listening to the children around campus, that always brings a smile to my face. I also love assisting and helping the teachers and knowing that I am part of a growing and professional school.  
What I value Most:Family, Health, Education and Loyalty. 

Brendaly Duarte

Receptionist

Interests: Travel, Photography, Music
Things that make me smile: Family, flowers, the moon
Educational Philosophy: Learning goes beyond the classroom. Always keep an open mind with eyes ready to observe.
Favorite Part of My Job: Interacting with parents and students!
My Hero: My mother
What I value Most: My family

Susan Bouchonville

Health Assistant

Interests: Reading, hiking, site-seeing, learning new things.
Things that make me smile: Hearing kids’ stories while they’re in the health office
Favorite part of my job:  Learning to know students
My hero: My grandmother
What I value most: Honesty