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 transplant to New Mexico by way of Austin, Texas, Evan has been teaching since 2014. While Evan began his tenure at RWCS as a classroom teacher, his current position allows him to support all classroom teachers through such avenues as coordinating outdoor trips, field work experiences, and other opportunities for student enrichment. Along with a love of learning and discovery, Evan has a diverse background in music and video production, which he enthusiastically incorporates into his life at RWCS. Evan has a passion for exploring new places and loves to travel during his summer breaks.
A transplant to New Mexico by way of Austin, Texas, Evan has been teaching since 2014. While Evan began his tenure at RWCS as a classroom teacher, his current position allows him to support all classroom teachers through such avenues as coordinating outdoor trips, field work experiences, and other opportunities for student enrichment. Along with a love of learning and discovery, Evan has a diverse background in music and video production, which he enthusiastically incorporates into his life at RWCS. Evan has a passion for exploring new places and loves to travel during his summer breaks.
Jaclyn Tregle, Primary(K-2) Teacher
My name is Jaclyn Tregle, and I am thrilled to join the RWCS family. I was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. I attended Louisiana State University where I earned my Bachelors and Masters in Elementary Education. Taos is the only other place I have lived other than southeast Louisiana. While in Taos, I have had the privilege to learn from the land by growing food on a couple of farms and forming genuine relationships with the community. Being a facilitator of learning is my passion. I am fulfilled when I am working and learning with children. One of my greatest strengths as an educator is creating an environment, inside and outside the classroom, that is filled with comfort, joy, and love
My name is Jaclyn Tregle, and I am thrilled to join the RWCS family. I was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. I attended Louisiana State University where I earned my Bachelors and Masters in Elementary Education. Taos is the only other place I have lived other than southeast Louisiana. While in Taos, I have had the privilege to learn from the land by growing food on a couple of farms and forming genuine relationships with the community. Being a facilitator of learning is my passion. I am fulfilled when I am working and learning with children. One of my greatest strengths as an educator is creating an environment, inside and outside the classroom, that is filled with comfort, joy, and love
Rose Dragoo Elementary (3-5)Teacher
Rose emerged on the teaching scene in 2013, after graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood through middle school education. In 2017, Rose eagerly joined the RWCS community - first as the educational assistant in the K-2 classroom; then as the math and science teacher for the 3-5 and 6-8 cohorts; and finally, in her current position teaching all subjects in the 3-5 classroom. Rose is grateful to be working at a school which values each of the individuals that make up our community, and she is excited to see what the future holds at Roots & Wings. When she is not in the classroom, Rose enjoys traveling, playing music, and spending time with her loved ones.
Rose emerged on the teaching scene in 2013, after graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood through middle school education. In 2017, Rose eagerly joined the RWCS community - first as the educational assistant in the K-2 classroom; then as the math and science teacher for the 3-5 and 6-8 cohorts; and finally, in her current position teaching all subjects in the 3-5 classroom. Rose is grateful to be working at a school which values each of the individuals that make up our community, and she is excited to see what the future holds at Roots & Wings. When she is not in the classroom, Rose enjoys traveling, playing music, and spending time with her loved ones.
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 is in her second year here at Roots and Wings as the EA in the K-2 classroom. She has worked in education 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 childcare and preschool facilities both in Taos and in her home state of Virginia. When she is not at school, Valerie enjoys hiking, skiing, and spending time in nature with her partner and their dog.
Valerie is in her second year here at Roots and Wings as the EA in the K-2 classroom. She has worked in education 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 childcare and preschool facilities both in Taos and in her home state of Virginia. When she is not at school, Valerie enjoys hiking, skiing, and spending time in nature with her partner and their dog.
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.
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35 La Lama Rd. Questa, New Mexico 87556 Main Office: 575-586-2076 Fax: 575-586-2087 |