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 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 capacity. 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 two 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.
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 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 capacity. 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 two 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.
Evan Sanchez, Academic Enrichment Coordinator
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 Elementary (3-5)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.
Amelia Eshleman Middle School (6-8) Teacher
Amelia Eshleman has been teaching since 2011 and has worked in Expeditionary Learning schools since 2013. She is passionate about hands-on and place-based education as well as outdoor education. She has been leading students in outdoor trips since 2013 and knows first hand the impact that a good backpacking trip can have on a students' self-esteem and morale. She holds a BA in Human Ecology and an MS in Special Education. When not in the classroom, she runs Virsylvia Farm and enjoys hiking with her husband and two dogs.
Amelia Eshleman has been teaching since 2011 and has worked in Expeditionary Learning schools since 2013. She is passionate about hands-on and place-based education as well as outdoor education. She has been leading students in outdoor trips since 2013 and knows first hand the impact that a good backpacking trip can have on a students' self-esteem and morale. She holds a BA in Human Ecology and an MS in Special Education. When not in the classroom, she runs Virsylvia Farm and enjoys hiking with her husband and two dogs.
Valerie Balog K-2 Educational Assistant
Valerie has been an educator in various capacities over the past few years, including two years as the assistant teacher in a forest kindergarten program here in Taos. She has also worked in many preschool and childcare facilities both in Taos and in her home state of Virginia. This is her first year at Roots & Wings, and she is happy to be back working with children again after a 1.5 year break. When she is not at school, Valerie enjoys hiking, skiing, and enjoying nature with her partner and their dog.
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Valerie has been an educator in various capacities over the past few years, including two years as the assistant teacher in a forest kindergarten program here in Taos. She has also worked in many preschool and childcare facilities both in Taos and in her home state of Virginia. This is her first year at Roots & Wings, and she is happy to be back working with children again after a 1.5 year break. When she is not at school, Valerie enjoys hiking, skiing, and enjoying nature with her partner and their dog.
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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 in 2001. 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 in 2001. She spends her summers rafting on the Grand Canyon and hanging out with her loving family.
Sara Saint-Hogan, Reading Interventionist
Sara has been teaching since 2005 and began at Roots and Wings in March of 2015 as an educational assistant, taking a break from full-time teaching to pursue her Master's degree. In fall of 2017, she became the Reading Interventionist, and received a dual Masters in Educational Psychology and Child & Adolescent Development in the winter of 2017. She became a Certified Academic Language Practitioner in March of 2021.
Sara has been teaching since 2005 and began at Roots and Wings in March of 2015 as an educational assistant, taking a break from full-time teaching to pursue her Master's degree. In fall of 2017, she became the Reading Interventionist, and received a dual Masters in Educational Psychology and Child & Adolescent Development in the winter of 2017. She became a Certified Academic Language Practitioner in March of 2021.
Veronica Garcia Office Manager
Veronica has worked with Roots and Wings since 2019.. 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 2 boys.
Veronica has worked with Roots and Wings since 2019.. 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 2 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.
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35 La Lama Rd. Questa, New Mexico 87556 Main Office: 575-586-2076 Fax: 575-586-2087 |