MEET OUR STAFF
Jon Orris, Director
Jon Orris holds a B.A. in Recreation and Parks from the Pennsylvania State University, and a
M.A. in Elementary Education emphasizing Place-based Curriculum Design from Prescott
College. Jon was an educator and administrator in the educational non-profit sector for 20 years
before moving into Colorado Charter Schools.
Jon helped start and ran the Bioregional Outdoor Education Project (a teacher training and
mentoring program to incorporate more place-based outdoor education into public schools in the
Four Corners area including several Indian Reservations) with funding from the National Science
Foundation. The program won several State, National, and International Awards and Jon presented at several national conferences and organized an annual conference that attracted up to 150 educators from the region.
Jon started his charter career in 2008 when he became the Executive Director/ Principal of a small rural Colorado charter school with the enrollment of 28 students in Preschool through 8th grade. Within three years enrollment doubled and a preschool that was on the verge of being closed due to lack of enrollment has been running at or near capacity (15 students). Jon received the Outstanding Charter School Leadership award from the Colorado League of Charter Schools in 2015. After 10 years, Jon spent two years as Head of School at 2 other Colorado charter schools. Jon is excited for the opportunity at Roots & Wings Community School to combine his skills as an experienced charter school director and his passion for outdoor education. Jon is an avid outdoor explorer, photographer, river runner, skier, and fly fisherman spending much of his free time in the desert southwest. Jon is excited to be in Questa and being able to take advantage of all the outdoor opportunities the area has to offer.
Annalise Zosel, Primary Class (K-2) Teacher, Academic Language Therapist
Annalise Zosel is entering her 4 th year as the K-2 nd primary teacher at RWCS. Annalise grew up as a YMCA camp counselor and spent her formative twenties as a special education teaching assistant. Annalise graduated from UNM with a MA in Elementary Education in 2014, focusing her studies on implementing differentiation and developmentally responsive instructional strategies. Annalise spent two years training at the Multisensory Language Institute and is currently an Academic Language Therapist in training. Annalise loves spending time with her amazing sixteen-year- old son, six-year-old daughter, and supportive life partner. Annalise also enjoys hiking, skiing, and practicing yoga and the meditative arts. This year, Annalise will be taking a mindfulness course and is also collaborating with the Southwest International Dyslexia Association. Annalise also collaborates with Los Jardineros to bring farming projects to life at RWCS. She feels blessed and grateful to be returning to her dream job.
Annalise Zosel is entering her 4 th year as the K-2 nd primary teacher at RWCS. Annalise grew up as a YMCA camp counselor and spent her formative twenties as a special education teaching assistant. Annalise graduated from UNM with a MA in Elementary Education in 2014, focusing her studies on implementing differentiation and developmentally responsive instructional strategies. Annalise spent two years training at the Multisensory Language Institute and is currently an Academic Language Therapist in training. Annalise loves spending time with her amazing sixteen-year- old son, six-year-old daughter, and supportive life partner. Annalise also enjoys hiking, skiing, and practicing yoga and the meditative arts. This year, Annalise will be taking a mindfulness course and is also collaborating with the Southwest International Dyslexia Association. Annalise also collaborates with Los Jardineros to bring farming projects to life at RWCS. She feels blessed and grateful to be returning to her dream job.
Evan Sanchez, Intermediate Class (3-5) Teacher
A recent transplant to New Mexico by way of Austin, TX, Evan has been teaching since 2014. Along with a love of learning and discovery, Evan has musical background that spans over 10 years and has spent time working in studios and playing with bands throughout Austin and South Texas. He has a passion for exploring new places and loves to travel during his summer breaks.
A recent transplant to New Mexico by way of Austin, TX, Evan has been teaching since 2014. Along with a love of learning and discovery, Evan has musical background that spans over 10 years and has spent time working in studios and playing with bands throughout Austin and South Texas. He has a passion for exploring new places and loves to travel during his summer breaks.
Rose Dragoo Middle School (6-8) Teacher
Rose has been on the teaching scene since 2013, having previously taught multiple grade levels in Austin, Texas. Upon moving to New Mexico in last year, she had the good fortune of becoming the educational assistant in RWCS' K-2 classroom. As a result, while she is new to the 6-8 cohort, Rose has already been able to develop relationships with students and staff. She is thrilled to move into a classroom teaching position once again, and is excited to be a part of the growing RWCS community. When Rose is not in the classroom, she enjoys furthering her own education through such avenues as playing music and traveling.
Rose has been on the teaching scene since 2013, having previously taught multiple grade levels in Austin, Texas. Upon moving to New Mexico in last year, she had the good fortune of becoming the educational assistant in RWCS' K-2 classroom. As a result, while she is new to the 6-8 cohort, Rose has already been able to develop relationships with students and staff. She is thrilled to move into a classroom teaching position once again, and is excited to be a part of the growing RWCS community. When Rose is not in the classroom, she enjoys furthering her own education through such avenues as playing music and traveling.
Peg Bartlett, Special Education Teacher
Peg is the co-founder of Roots and Wings along with her husband, Todd Wynward. She currently teaches Special Education and P.E. and still loves coming to work each day after starting the school 17 years ago. She spends her summers rafting on the Grand Canyon and hanging out with her loving family.
Peg is the co-founder of Roots and Wings along with her husband, Todd Wynward. She currently teaches Special Education and P.E. and still loves coming to work each day after starting the school 17 years ago. She spends her summers rafting on the Grand Canyon and hanging out with her loving family.
Veronica Garcia Office Manager
Veronica is starting off her second year with Roots and Wings. Veronica was born and raised in Taos and is now a resident of Questa where she lives with her family. She is thrilled to be working in a school and loves working with children. When Veronica isn't working, she loves baking, watching movies and spending time with her 13 year old and 7 year old boys.
Veronica is starting off her second year with Roots and Wings. Veronica was born and raised in Taos and is now a resident of Questa where she lives with her family. She is thrilled to be working in a school and loves working with children. When Veronica isn't working, she loves baking, watching movies and spending time with her 13 year old and 7 year old boys.
Sarah Newberry K-8 Art Teacher
Sarah Newberry has been teaching at RWCS since 2016. She received her degree in Art Education and Ceramics. She is a full time ceramic artist and loves her time out of the studio to teach. When she’s not at school or in the studio, she will be hiking with her dogs.
Sarah Newberry has been teaching at RWCS since 2016. She received her degree in Art Education and Ceramics. She is a full time ceramic artist and loves her time out of the studio to teach. When she’s not at school or in the studio, she will be hiking with her dogs.
Tania Glenn Music Instructor
Tania Glenn comes from a long line of family musicians. She began singing with her grandmother at the age of 3 and learning piano and guitar as soon as she was able to. She has many years experience teaching children music and has a firm belief that learning music should be fun, motivating and inspiring. Her classes for the K-2 grades incorporate singing and rhythmic games, learning the basics of musical notation and learning how to play a ukulele.
Tania Glenn comes from a long line of family musicians. She began singing with her grandmother at the age of 3 and learning piano and guitar as soon as she was able to. She has many years experience teaching children music and has a firm belief that learning music should be fun, motivating and inspiring. Her classes for the K-2 grades incorporate singing and rhythmic games, learning the basics of musical notation and learning how to play a ukulele.
Sara Saint-Hogan, Reading Interventionist
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35 La Lama Rd. Questa, New Mexico 87556 Main Office: 575-586-2076 Fax: 575-586-2087 |