I cannot emphasize enough the importance of a good teacher.
- Temple Grandin -
Faculty & Staff
Reverend Father Mark Granito
Pastor
Father Granito has been the pastor of Holy Child Catholic Parish in Tijeras for many years. He was present for the founding of the school in 2008 and has been a staunch advocate throughout its existence. His side passion is baking and his splendid bakes have placed in the State Fair. Students enjoy his quirky sense of humor and his love of all things good, true, and beautiful.
Pastor
Father Granito has been the pastor of Holy Child Catholic Parish in Tijeras for many years. He was present for the founding of the school in 2008 and has been a staunch advocate throughout its existence. His side passion is baking and his splendid bakes have placed in the State Fair. Students enjoy his quirky sense of humor and his love of all things good, true, and beautiful.
Mrs. Janice Martinez
Principal
Janice has been a Catholic school teacher for over twenty years, teaching elementary, middle and high school throughout the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. She has spent the last twelve years developing and teaching a classical curriculum and she truly believes classical learning is the solution to many of the problems facing education today. Janice has also conducted historical research in archives in Europe and was a graduate teaching assistant at the University of New Mexico. She has one B.A. in French Literature and another B.A. in Education. Moreover, she has an M.A. in Modern European History from the University of New Mexico and a Master’s in Theology from Catholic Distance University. Janice received her principle's license from the University of Dayton. She and her husband Robert Martinez belong to St Thomas Aquinas Parish in Rio Rancho.
Principal
Janice has been a Catholic school teacher for over twenty years, teaching elementary, middle and high school throughout the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. She has spent the last twelve years developing and teaching a classical curriculum and she truly believes classical learning is the solution to many of the problems facing education today. Janice has also conducted historical research in archives in Europe and was a graduate teaching assistant at the University of New Mexico. She has one B.A. in French Literature and another B.A. in Education. Moreover, she has an M.A. in Modern European History from the University of New Mexico and a Master’s in Theology from Catholic Distance University. Janice received her principle's license from the University of Dayton. She and her husband Robert Martinez belong to St Thomas Aquinas Parish in Rio Rancho.
Ms. Lety Nieves
Bookkeeper
Lety is happy to be serving the beautiful community at Holy Child Catholic School. She graduated from John Paul the Great Catholic University with a B.S. in Entertainment Media. Lety has been working for the Church in different roles since 2013 and feels blessed by all the wonderful co-workers she's had along the way. She is a parishioner at Queen of Heaven Parish in Albuquerque. In her free time she enjoys reading, playing with her nephew, and spending quality time with friends.
Bookkeeper
Lety is happy to be serving the beautiful community at Holy Child Catholic School. She graduated from John Paul the Great Catholic University with a B.S. in Entertainment Media. Lety has been working for the Church in different roles since 2013 and feels blessed by all the wonderful co-workers she's had along the way. She is a parishioner at Queen of Heaven Parish in Albuquerque. In her free time she enjoys reading, playing with her nephew, and spending quality time with friends.
Ms. Alexa Salstrand
Office Assistant
Miss Alexa is originally from Montrose, Colorado and has completed a B.A. in Psychology and an M.A. in Sociology from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. After working in student affairs and higher education, and teaching public speaking, Alexa moved to New Mexico in order to try something new. Alexa is passionate about student success and education and wants to be available to assist the school in any way that she can. In her free time, Alexa enjoys reading and spending time with her Chihuahua, Pippin.
Office Assistant
Miss Alexa is originally from Montrose, Colorado and has completed a B.A. in Psychology and an M.A. in Sociology from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. After working in student affairs and higher education, and teaching public speaking, Alexa moved to New Mexico in order to try something new. Alexa is passionate about student success and education and wants to be available to assist the school in any way that she can. In her free time, Alexa enjoys reading and spending time with her Chihuahua, Pippin.
Mrs. Colette McCleave
Preschool 3 & 4
Colette is a product of Catholic education from kindergarten through high school. She graduated from UNM in 1990 with a degree in Elementary Education. Colette taught elementary school for two years with Albuquerque Public Schools and the Moriarty-Edgewood schools before taking a 14-year break to stay home and raise her kids. Colette, her husband, Josh, and their five children are members of Holy Child Parish.
Preschool 3 & 4
Colette is a product of Catholic education from kindergarten through high school. She graduated from UNM in 1990 with a degree in Elementary Education. Colette taught elementary school for two years with Albuquerque Public Schools and the Moriarty-Edgewood schools before taking a 14-year break to stay home and raise her kids. Colette, her husband, Josh, and their five children are members of Holy Child Parish.
Mrs. Patricia Ambrose
Preschool Aide
Patricia graduated from UNM with a degree in Art and helps Mrs. McCleave with preschool classes. A resident of Edgewood with her husband, Patricia has twin boys currently attending Holy Child Catholic School. Her eldest child graduated from HCCS in 2016. Her joyful, helpful spirit is such a gift as she helps with everything from recess duty to substitute teaching.
Preschool Aide
Patricia graduated from UNM with a degree in Art and helps Mrs. McCleave with preschool classes. A resident of Edgewood with her husband, Patricia has twin boys currently attending Holy Child Catholic School. Her eldest child graduated from HCCS in 2016. Her joyful, helpful spirit is such a gift as she helps with everything from recess duty to substitute teaching.
Mrs. Reyna Barela
Kindergarten
Reyna graduated from UNM with a B.S. in Elementary Education. She currently holds a level II teaching license with a TESOL endorsement. She has been a kindergarten teacher for eight years in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and is joining the HCCS faculty in the 2019-2020 academic year. Reyna is a devout Catholic and has a passion for teaching children about the faith. She is very excited to be given the opportunity to be a part of Holy Child Catholic School and looks forward to helping her students develop a solid foundation in faith and academics
Kindergarten
Reyna graduated from UNM with a B.S. in Elementary Education. She currently holds a level II teaching license with a TESOL endorsement. She has been a kindergarten teacher for eight years in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and is joining the HCCS faculty in the 2019-2020 academic year. Reyna is a devout Catholic and has a passion for teaching children about the faith. She is very excited to be given the opportunity to be a part of Holy Child Catholic School and looks forward to helping her students develop a solid foundation in faith and academics
Mr. Jonathan Zerangue
1st Grade and Music
Jonathan Zerangue grew up in Phoenix, AZ and graduated from Arizona State University with a B.S. in Geography, and a Geographical Information Systems (GIS) certification. He moved to the Albuquerque area and worked for an engineering firm for seven years as a GIS Specialist. In college, he tutored students in the "America Reads, America Counts" Program. He met his wife Tiffany in New Mexico, and after their second child was born, he became a stay at home dad, and eventually God blessed them with two more children. He was also a Sixth- Grade Religious Ed Teacher. All four of their children attend Holy Child Catholic School. He has been involved with music ministry for twenty-two years and has been a worship leader for the Lifeteen youth program at St. Thomas Aquinas parish in Rio Rancho.
1st Grade and Music
Jonathan Zerangue grew up in Phoenix, AZ and graduated from Arizona State University with a B.S. in Geography, and a Geographical Information Systems (GIS) certification. He moved to the Albuquerque area and worked for an engineering firm for seven years as a GIS Specialist. In college, he tutored students in the "America Reads, America Counts" Program. He met his wife Tiffany in New Mexico, and after their second child was born, he became a stay at home dad, and eventually God blessed them with two more children. He was also a Sixth- Grade Religious Ed Teacher. All four of their children attend Holy Child Catholic School. He has been involved with music ministry for twenty-two years and has been a worship leader for the Lifeteen youth program at St. Thomas Aquinas parish in Rio Rancho.
Mrs. Adrienne Campbell
2nd Grade
Adrienne Campbell teaches 2nd grade at Holy Child. She has previously worked for Rio Rancho Public Schools for 13 years as a 2nd grade teacher and literacy interventionist. She currently holds a level II teaching license with a reading endorsement. Adrienne received her bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from UNM and her teaching license from the College of Santa Fe at Albuquerque. She and her family belong to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Rio Rancho. Adrienne enjoys being at Holy Child and enjoys working in such a special and faith-filled environment.
2nd Grade
Adrienne Campbell teaches 2nd grade at Holy Child. She has previously worked for Rio Rancho Public Schools for 13 years as a 2nd grade teacher and literacy interventionist. She currently holds a level II teaching license with a reading endorsement. Adrienne received her bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from UNM and her teaching license from the College of Santa Fe at Albuquerque. She and her family belong to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Rio Rancho. Adrienne enjoys being at Holy Child and enjoys working in such a special and faith-filled environment.
Mrs. Diana Teeters
3rd Grade
Diana Teeters teaches 1st grade at Holy Child Catholic School and has been a teacher at the school for the past five years. She has been instrumental in developing and implementing a Catholic and Classical curriculum. Prior to joining our school, Diana taught in the public schools for ten years. Diana brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her classroom. Being a parishioner of Holy Child Parish for the last 15 years, she has formed valuable bonds with the community and the school. Parents and students alike enjoy Mrs. Teeters’ positive and energetic attitude. Prior to living in New Mexico, Diana grew up in the Cleveland area where she attended parochial school as a child. She attended Ohio University where she received her degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in English. Diana also has a TESOL endorsement. Diana and her loving husband Steve have been together since high school. They have been blessed with four children, three of which attend Holy Child Catholic School.
3rd Grade
Diana Teeters teaches 1st grade at Holy Child Catholic School and has been a teacher at the school for the past five years. She has been instrumental in developing and implementing a Catholic and Classical curriculum. Prior to joining our school, Diana taught in the public schools for ten years. Diana brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her classroom. Being a parishioner of Holy Child Parish for the last 15 years, she has formed valuable bonds with the community and the school. Parents and students alike enjoy Mrs. Teeters’ positive and energetic attitude. Prior to living in New Mexico, Diana grew up in the Cleveland area where she attended parochial school as a child. She attended Ohio University where she received her degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in English. Diana also has a TESOL endorsement. Diana and her loving husband Steve have been together since high school. They have been blessed with four children, three of which attend Holy Child Catholic School.
Mrs. Michelle Fogarty
4th Grade
Michelle graduated from Idaho State University with a B.S. degree in Speech Pathology followed by a M.S. degree in Audiology. She worked as a professional audiologist until deciding to stay home and begin homeschooling her three children. She has been past president of Corpus Christi Home School Cooperative and has always taught a diverse, rich, classical curriculum with a focus on providing interventions for all types of learners. Michelle then built on that experience by completing her teaching licensure.
4th Grade
Michelle graduated from Idaho State University with a B.S. degree in Speech Pathology followed by a M.S. degree in Audiology. She worked as a professional audiologist until deciding to stay home and begin homeschooling her three children. She has been past president of Corpus Christi Home School Cooperative and has always taught a diverse, rich, classical curriculum with a focus on providing interventions for all types of learners. Michelle then built on that experience by completing her teaching licensure.
Mrs. Lisa Sanchez
Upper School Math and Science
Mrs. Sanchez has been teaching Math and Science in the Upper Grades at Holy Child Catholic School since 2012. She is a summa cum laude graduate of the University of New Mexico with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary K-8 Education and endorsements in both Mathematics and Language Arts. She currently holds a Level II teaching license and is also certified by the State of New Mexico in the content area of Middle School Science. The school first discovered Lisa when she was teaching Religious Education at the parish, where she has been a member since 1999. Lisa brings into teaching a deep content knowledge as well as an efficient, no-nonsense approach toward learning. She and her family have been residents in the East Mountain community for nearly twenty years and she is the proud mother of three daughters.
Upper School Math and Science
Mrs. Sanchez has been teaching Math and Science in the Upper Grades at Holy Child Catholic School since 2012. She is a summa cum laude graduate of the University of New Mexico with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary K-8 Education and endorsements in both Mathematics and Language Arts. She currently holds a Level II teaching license and is also certified by the State of New Mexico in the content area of Middle School Science. The school first discovered Lisa when she was teaching Religious Education at the parish, where she has been a member since 1999. Lisa brings into teaching a deep content knowledge as well as an efficient, no-nonsense approach toward learning. She and her family have been residents in the East Mountain community for nearly twenty years and she is the proud mother of three daughters.
Mr. Peter Blain
Upper School Humanities
Peter Blain grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico and was homeschooled with a classical curriculum. He attended the University of Dallas, wrote his history thesis on an 11th-century castle in Wales called Chepstow, and graduated with a history degree in 2017. During the 2018-2019 school year, he taught upper school religion at Holy Child Catholic School and assisted with the physical education program. He worked for seven summers in residential groundskeeping and irrigation at a local company in Albuquerque. Peter enjoys gardening and reading literature and history. He is excited to be returning to Holy Child.
Upper School Humanities
Peter Blain grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico and was homeschooled with a classical curriculum. He attended the University of Dallas, wrote his history thesis on an 11th-century castle in Wales called Chepstow, and graduated with a history degree in 2017. During the 2018-2019 school year, he taught upper school religion at Holy Child Catholic School and assisted with the physical education program. He worked for seven summers in residential groundskeeping and irrigation at a local company in Albuquerque. Peter enjoys gardening and reading literature and history. He is excited to be returning to Holy Child.
Mrs. Adrienne Curtin
Physical Education
Middle School Mathematics Aide
Adrienne has a degree from UNM in Business and K-12 Education (which included training in Physical Education). She homeschooled her six children and has been an active member of Holy Child Parish for some years. Adrienne enjoys visiting family near and far and riding horses.
Physical Education
Middle School Mathematics Aide
Adrienne has a degree from UNM in Business and K-12 Education (which included training in Physical Education). She homeschooled her six children and has been an active member of Holy Child Parish for some years. Adrienne enjoys visiting family near and far and riding horses.
Mrs. Melissa Daugherty
Kindergarten - 8th Grade Art
Melissa Daugherty is extremely happy to be heading up the enrichment program at HCCS. She believes that art, art history, and music dovetail perfectly with a classical curriculum in that they give voice and vision to the subjects taught at HCCS. Melissa has taught drawing and art history to upwards of 250 children over the last eight years, and several of her former students are pursuing advanced training in studio art. Melissa is thrilled to able to bring the glories of the Catholic visual heritage to her own parish here at Holy Child. She and her husband Kevin are longtime members of Holy Child Catholic Parish and are the proud parents of four children.
Kindergarten - 8th Grade Art
Melissa Daugherty is extremely happy to be heading up the enrichment program at HCCS. She believes that art, art history, and music dovetail perfectly with a classical curriculum in that they give voice and vision to the subjects taught at HCCS. Melissa has taught drawing and art history to upwards of 250 children over the last eight years, and several of her former students are pursuing advanced training in studio art. Melissa is thrilled to able to bring the glories of the Catholic visual heritage to her own parish here at Holy Child. She and her husband Kevin are longtime members of Holy Child Catholic Parish and are the proud parents of four children.
Mrs. Ruthanne Hamrick
Education Assistant ~ 1st-8th Grade Latin
Ruthanne Hamrick is the beloved Latin EA. She has lived in Cedar Crest since 1990. She has been the church pianist since that time and has been teaching piano lessons since 1993. She has a Bachelors degree from UNM in Fine Art and a Masters Degree from Trinity Theological Seminary in Biblical Counseling. She and her husband home-schooled their three children, using a classical approach. In so doing, she learned Latin, which she was then employed to teach at Rio Grande Enrichment Studies from 2008-2013. She also teaches women's Bible Study classes and does counseling as a ministry of her church
Education Assistant ~ 1st-8th Grade Latin
Ruthanne Hamrick is the beloved Latin EA. She has lived in Cedar Crest since 1990. She has been the church pianist since that time and has been teaching piano lessons since 1993. She has a Bachelors degree from UNM in Fine Art and a Masters Degree from Trinity Theological Seminary in Biblical Counseling. She and her husband home-schooled their three children, using a classical approach. In so doing, she learned Latin, which she was then employed to teach at Rio Grande Enrichment Studies from 2008-2013. She also teaches women's Bible Study classes and does counseling as a ministry of her church
Ms. Marlena Figge
Teachers Aide
Marlena graduated from the University of Dallas in 2020 with a B.A. in Italian and English and is now working remotely towards earning her Master’s in Italian literature from Middlebury College. She wrote one senior thesis on the Dantean epigraphs in George Eliot’s Middlemarch and another on ineffability in the poetry of Dante and Keats. She has had years of experience as a tutor, spent last summer working at an Italian immersion camp at Concordia Language Villages, and has a penchant for poetry and tea. As an alumna of HCCS, Marlena is delighted to have the opportunity to return to Holy Child, albeit on the other side of the classroom.
Teachers Aide
Marlena graduated from the University of Dallas in 2020 with a B.A. in Italian and English and is now working remotely towards earning her Master’s in Italian literature from Middlebury College. She wrote one senior thesis on the Dantean epigraphs in George Eliot’s Middlemarch and another on ineffability in the poetry of Dante and Keats. She has had years of experience as a tutor, spent last summer working at an Italian immersion camp at Concordia Language Villages, and has a penchant for poetry and tea. As an alumna of HCCS, Marlena is delighted to have the opportunity to return to Holy Child, albeit on the other side of the classroom.
Volunteers
Holy Child Catholic School is incredibly fortunate to have volunteers who support the school. Each of these individuals contributions have helped further our mission and make a difference to the teachers, staff, and most importantly the students. We thank our volunteers who help with nearly every aspect of the school. We are so grateful to our community!
