Our Faculty and Staff

Receiving both her Bachelor of Fine Arts, and her Master's in Secondary Education from the University of New Mexico, Veronica began her career in public education in 1998. As a K-12 certified teacher, she taught 6th grade with Santa Fe Public Schools for one year, 6th and 7th grade English and Social Studies with Albuquerque Public Schools for two years, and 6th grade English and Flamenco Dance to all grades at The Public Academy for Performing Arts (PAPA) for 9 years. At PAPA, she Co-Chaired the English and Dance Departments. There, she also founded their Flamenco Arts program.  In addition to her career in education, Ms. Torres was a member of Yjastros: The American Flamenco Repertory Company, beginning as a company member in 1999 and ending her career in 2014 as a soloist member. In 2009, she was instrumental as co-founder of Tierra Adentro of New Mexico Charter School. During that time, she attended New Mexico Highlands University where she obtained her School Administration Certification. Ms. Torres currently serves as Executive Director and Title I Coordinator of Tierra Adentro of New Mexico. 

Ms. Gen has been with TANM for 10 years. She received a Master’s Degree in Special Education from NM Highlands University and obtained her Administrative License in 2019. Serving as the Principal and Title IX Coordinator of Tierra Adentro, her goal is to work closely with the staff to ensure that the academics and the arts are prevalent throughout the school. She is also a Crisis Prevention Institute Certified Instructor, and as the Crisis Team Lead, she provides yearly training in de-escalation and social emotional support for the safety of staff and students.

Alisa Alba is a Santa Fe, New Mexico native and a University of New Mexico graduate with a Master’s in Secondary Education. She is a Level III K-12 certified Instructional Leader with endorsements in TESOL, Bilingual Education, Performing Arts, and Modern, Classical & Native Languages. Ms. Alba also studied and performed Flamenco professionally for over twenty years. In addition to teaching Dance and Spanish, Ms. Alba loves to ski, camp, read non-fiction, spend time with friends and family, and most of all, be with her son. She takes pride in her role as an educator in the TANM community and is honored to be a part of an incredible team of people who are dedicated to supporting our students.

Rusita Ávila is the Bilingual School Social Worker/mental health clinician at TANM since 2015. She is a multi-generational New Mexican. She attended Albuquerque High School and received her Bachelors in Applied Mathematics/Biology at Brown University in Providence, RI.  She received her Masters in Social Work at NMHU in 1999. Her expertise is in psych, crisis intervention, domestic violence, trauma, grief and loss, and working with youth in multiple capacities including developing youth leadership. She is the previous Clinical Director of the Domestic Violence Resource Center and previous Clinical Supervisor of All Faiths Protective Services Department--Advocates and Case Management.

Lisa has taught students in New Mexico for close to twenty years. With a background in special education, she is also licensed to teach language arts, reading, and social studies. She believes strongly in the preservation of the arts and in TANM’s focus on a wide range of artistic experiences for students. She wants to inspire confidence in her students and make middle and high school a meaningful experience where students feel supported and safe to do and be their absolute best. 

Donnie Benavidez began playing music at the age of 13, initially learning to play New Mexican and rock musical styles from his family, and exploring other musical forms in high school, including choir. His Classical guitar studies began under the tutelage of Steven Wachter at the University of Northern Colorado and finished under June King, Violinist, at the University Southern Colorado. Donnie graduated with a Bachelors of Performance, emphasis guitar and later completed his Education credentials from the University of New Mexico.  Donnie continues to explore and study various musical styles, notably studying flamenco for two decades with instructors Eric Patterson, Pedro Cuadra, Juan Aggarado Gómez, and, most recently, Juani De La Isla. Donnie has performed flamenco and other musical genres throughout New Mexico. 

Janine Burford has taught the past 20 years in public, private and state charter schools around Albuquerque. She is a Level 3 teacher with a Master's Degree in Elementary Education from the University of New Mexico. Over her 20 years of teaching, she has taught grades 3rd through 8th grade but her passion is teaching Science and Math.  She is an enthusiastic, organized teacher with superb leadership and communication skills. Ms. Burford easily cultivates trusting and productive relationships with students, parents, co-teachers and administration. She is committed to creating a morally-centered classroom atmosphere that is hands-on, stimulating, encouraging, and supportive for all students. 

Nichole, a former TAMN alumni from the class of 2017, has achieved great success in her academic pursuits. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from UNM and a Master's degree in Special Education from ENMU. Nichole is a strong advocate for inclusivity and believes in prioritizing mental health. Her dedication to education and support for those with special needs exemplify her commitment to making the world a better place for all students and staff.

Jonathan Hartshorn is a graduate of both The University of New Mexico (BFA), and The School of Visual Arts, New York (MFA). Hartshorn has exhibited his art nationally and internationally. Jonathan is currently a visiting artist at TANM, teaching Artesanía.

Solo exhibitions include: Essex Flowers, New York, NY.2018; Galerie Sébastien Bertrand, Geneva, Switzerland, 2013; “Big Toe” Roberts & Tilton, Culver City, CA, 2012; Wall installation, in foyer, Feature Inc., New York, NY, 2010; “WITH backs towards the END” Samson Projects, Boston, MA, 2009; “Eating at the Elbows, Our Teeth Will Be More Quiet” Gallerie Bertand & Bruner, Geneva, Switzerland, 2009; “Los in Space, Grow a Horse’s Tail” Hamish Morrison Galerie, Berlin, Germany, 2008; “May We All Rest In Peace” Roberts & Tilton, Los Angeles, CA, 2007; “When Skies Are Grey” Curated by Alanna Heiss, P.S.1 MoMA, New York, NY, 2007.

Sarah Hartshorn has been teaching Humanities at Tierra Adentro since 2010.  As one of the founders of Tierra Adentro Charter School, she believes strongly in the vision of arts and academics working together to create a powerful educational experience.  Mrs. Hartshorn graduated from the University of New Mexico with Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Master of Arts in Dance History and Criticism.  She spent many years in New Mexico dancing with Yjastros, The American Flamenco Repertory Company and parallels her dedication to the arts with her dedication for academic learning.  Mrs. Hartshorn has endorsements in Language Arts, Social Studies and the Performing Arts.

Giovanna Hinojosa is a Spanish and Flamenco Dance teacher at Tierra Adentro of NM.  Giovanna received her Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts at the University of New Mexico and completed her Teacher Certification at CNM.  Giovanna was born in Laredo, TX and raised between Nuevo Laredo and Laredo, and is fluent in both English and Spanish. Before teaching at Tierra Adentro, Giovanna worked in Accounting for over 8 years as an Assistant Business Manager and Bookkeeper. After receiving her Bachelor's Degree, she became part of the Yjastros: The American flamenco repertory company. She continues to perform in the theatre with the company and in other venues. In addition, Giovanna has been a teacher at the National Institute of Flamenco for 12 years and continues to teach there today. Giovanna’s hard work and desire to excel got her to where she is today, and it is her warmth and passion that make her such a valuable resource as a teacher, to the Yjastros company, and to all those around her.

Rebekah Leyva is a native New Mexican with a Bachelor’s of Science in Education from the University of New Mexico. She graduated Magna Cum Laude. Before beginning her professional teaching career, Ms. Leyva gained valuable experience working as a tutor and instructor in various disciplines. Ms. Leyva is now a veteran teacher, having worked in the field for the last 14 years. She has worked with students ages preschool to adult and has specialized in teaching Math, Science, Dance and English. She holds teaching endorsements in TESOL and Performing Arts and is highly qualified to teach Math and Science. Ms. Leyva is Nationally Board Certified and has been recognized by the New Mexico Public Education Department as an Highly Effective Teacher for the last 4 consecutive school years. Ms. Leyva danced flamenco professionally for 13 years with the world-renowned company, Yjastros. She continues to study flamenco dance with world class artists in her free time. Ms. Leyva is bilingual, Spanish being her second language. She is passionate about learning and is currently studying French, pottery, and guitar.

A charter school graduate herself, Isabel Loya is honored and pleased to be a part of the TANM team! She first discovered her love as registrar in 2018 when she worked for another charter school. She is a determined and motivated person and loves to give her job 110% of herself. She loves that she is someone who is able to give back to her community through her job duties and assisting families with the registration process and helping our teachers at TANM with our student data system. She is bilingual and loves to help her Hispanic community when needed. She is very excited for this new journey.

Mrs. Azizah Michalski graduated from the University of New Mexico in 2010 with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education, becoming highly qualified to teach mathematics and social studies. In 2014, she earned a Master's Degree in Elementary Education and got endorsed in TESOL shortly after graduating. Mrs. Michalski earned a National Board Certification in Early Adolescence Mathematics and became a Level III teacher in 2016. Mrs. Michalski is proud to say that she has been teaching middle school math at Tierra Adentro of New Mexico since Fall 2011! She enjoys reading, cycling, and spending time with family in her free time.

Danielle Miranda is the College and Career Counselor here at TANM. She received her master's degree in School Counseling from the University of the Southwest and two bachelor's degrees in Special Education and Elementary Education from New Mexico Highlands University. She is a member of the National Scholars Honor Society. She is also CPI-certified, CPR-trained, and a member of the TANM Crisis Team. This is her 15th year as an educator working specifically in charter schools. She believes that building relationships with students is the foundation for student success. 

Ms. Elena Osuna was born in Dixon, New Mexico. She grew up in the Albuquerque area and received her Master's in Education and a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis in Flamenco from the University of New Mexico. Ms. Osuna is a Level III K-12 certified teacher and is endorsed in Bilingual Education, Performing Arts, and is National Board Certified in Modern and Classical Languages. She is a soloist in Yjastros: The American Flamenco Reparatory Company, and teaches at The National Conservatory of Flamenco Arts. This will be her 12th year at Tierra Adentro Charter of New Mexico.

Estevan Pacheco, a native of New Mexico, began playing guitar at age 13. Estevan studied Flamenco guitar with Ricardo Anglada, Mario Febres, John Truitt, and Calvin Hazen through Tierra Adentro de Nuevo México and the National Institute of Flamenco. He regularly performs with the National Institute of Flamenco at the Flamenco Tablao in Hotel Albuquerque and at El Farol in Santa Fe. In 2022 he graduated from the University of New Mexico with a BA in performance guitar. He has continued his studies with renowned Flamenco guitarist Jesus de Rosario from Madrid Spain.

Andres is a dedicated scholar and community member with a strong academic background and a passion for his Hispanic heritage. A 2018 graduate of St. Pius X High School, he went on to earn two bachelor's degrees from the University of New Mexico in 2022. Currently, he is pursuing a Master's in Business Administration at New Mexico Highlands University. Hailing from a family deeply rooted in education and music, Andres' upbringing was heavily influenced by his mother, an educator, and a lineage of Hispanic musicians. This rich cultural heritage inspires his pursuit of academic excellence and community engagement.

Mark is a lifelong visual artist.  He started making and selling art at ten years old in Placitas, New Mexico.  He focused on drawing and painting until college where he focused on photography and printmaking. In 1996 he completed a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Fine Arts at the University of New Mexico. After college he discovered a love for experimental film while working with Basement Films. His work included experimental film installations and performances. In 2008 he received his Masters of Fine Arts in Film at Ohio University and has worked as a freelance cinematographer, editor and post production manager for 15 years.   As a college instructor, Mark taught filmmaking, and digital media for over 10 years before making the transition to teaching high school visual arts at Tierra Adentro of New Mexico.