ALCS Faculty & Staff
Hannah Wecks
DIRECTOR
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Hannah began her career in education over 20 years ago. She has been a classroom teacher, librarian, and educational leader. She has served the Grant County community through positions in union leadership, Silver Public Library Board, the steering committee for the Southwest Festival of the Written Word, the Governor's Task Force on teacher Evaluation, and is on the Legislative Education Study Committee's Funding Formula Working Group. Hannah’s passions include the backcountry, books, supporting local artists, birding, travel, and movies. She has one daughter who is a graduate of ALCS and another who is a current student.
Hannah received her Master's in Educational Leadership from Western New Mexico University. She holds a BA in English from Colorado State University and attended Metropolitan State College of Denver for her teaching certification.
DIRECTOR
[email protected]
Hannah began her career in education over 20 years ago. She has been a classroom teacher, librarian, and educational leader. She has served the Grant County community through positions in union leadership, Silver Public Library Board, the steering committee for the Southwest Festival of the Written Word, the Governor's Task Force on teacher Evaluation, and is on the Legislative Education Study Committee's Funding Formula Working Group. Hannah’s passions include the backcountry, books, supporting local artists, birding, travel, and movies. She has one daughter who is a graduate of ALCS and another who is a current student.
Hannah received her Master's in Educational Leadership from Western New Mexico University. She holds a BA in English from Colorado State University and attended Metropolitan State College of Denver for her teaching certification.
Cheryl Head
COUNSELOR
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Cheryl Head was born in Silver City, but grew up in Loveland, Colorado in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. Early life was spent outdoors as much as possible, water and snow skiing, biking, and playing sports. Cheryl attended Colorado State University for 2 years, then completed her B.S. in Secondary Education at Southwest Missouri State in Springfield, Missouri. Cheryl’s career in education began as a math teacher and she taught students in grades 7-12 and also worked as an adjunct math professor at WNMU for many years. After completing a Master’s degree in Counseling in 2008, Cheryl worked in the clinical field before coming to work at Aldo Leopold in 2010.
Since coming to Aldo, Cheryl has had the privilege to work closely with students, supporting both academic and personal concerns. She loves her job and the daily variety that it brings.
Cheryl has been married to Tom for 23 years and is the proud mother of two awesome young adults, Emma and T.J.. She continues to enjoy time outdoors and loves to travel, read and spend time with friends and family.
COUNSELOR
[email protected]
Cheryl Head was born in Silver City, but grew up in Loveland, Colorado in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. Early life was spent outdoors as much as possible, water and snow skiing, biking, and playing sports. Cheryl attended Colorado State University for 2 years, then completed her B.S. in Secondary Education at Southwest Missouri State in Springfield, Missouri. Cheryl’s career in education began as a math teacher and she taught students in grades 7-12 and also worked as an adjunct math professor at WNMU for many years. After completing a Master’s degree in Counseling in 2008, Cheryl worked in the clinical field before coming to work at Aldo Leopold in 2010.
Since coming to Aldo, Cheryl has had the privilege to work closely with students, supporting both academic and personal concerns. She loves her job and the daily variety that it brings.
Cheryl has been married to Tom for 23 years and is the proud mother of two awesome young adults, Emma and T.J.. She continues to enjoy time outdoors and loves to travel, read and spend time with friends and family.
Maia Chaney
EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION COORDINATOR
Growing up in Silver City, N.M., Maia discovered her love for nature and animals while exploring the Gila National Forest on horseback. After receiving her B.S. in Zoology from Western New Mexico University in 2002, she decided to pursue a career where she could share her passion for science and make a positive impact on the community where she was born and raised. In 2004, she received her M.A.T. with an emphasis in secondary science education. Maia began her teaching career in 2007, working in both public and private schools in the area. She joined ALCS in 2016 as a middle school math and science teacher. Maia still enjoys horseback riding, along with going on adventures with her family, hiking, gardening, photography and spending time in nature – especially at the ocean.
Fiona Bailey
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
TITLE 1 READING SPECIALIST
SAT CO-CHAIR
[email protected]
When she was in kindergarten, Miss Bailey decided she wanted to be a teacher. In 8th grade she discovered her second love—biology. Though she majored in Elementary Education, Miss Bailey minored in biology and has a teaching endorsement in math, social studies and language arts. Yes, she is a nerd. Miss Bailey’s first teaching job was her dream job—kindergarten! After four years of loving and learning with over 150 amazing five year olds, the academic nerd in Miss Bailey came back and she started a PhD in biomedical science and human genetics. A year in the lab made her realize, she wasn’t as big a nerd as she thought—she missed teaching and kids a lot. That is when she decided to get her master’s degree in outdoor education or as she calls it—a degree in playing in the woods.
Her master’s degree led to a job teaching 4th grade in Wilmette, Illinois where she continued to teach outdoor education and ecology, taking 120 4th graders for a three-day outdoor experience each year—each year that it is except the year Margaret was born. After nine years in 4th grade Miss Bailey moved back to kindergarten. Then when Margaret was ready to begin kindergarten, her sister convinced them to move to Silver City! Miss Bailey worked at G.W. Stout teaching first grade. That is when she and Ms. Aversa began the dream of an elementary charter school! While taking a year off teaching to work on the charter school dream, Miss Bailey did her parent volunteer hours at Aldo teaching using a specialized reading program. The successes with those students led to her job here. She loves the bringing together of all her academic passions that happens at Aldo.
M.A. Outdoor Education, Northern Illinois University
B.S. Elementary Education, minor in biology, Sterling College
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
TITLE 1 READING SPECIALIST
SAT CO-CHAIR
[email protected]
When she was in kindergarten, Miss Bailey decided she wanted to be a teacher. In 8th grade she discovered her second love—biology. Though she majored in Elementary Education, Miss Bailey minored in biology and has a teaching endorsement in math, social studies and language arts. Yes, she is a nerd. Miss Bailey’s first teaching job was her dream job—kindergarten! After four years of loving and learning with over 150 amazing five year olds, the academic nerd in Miss Bailey came back and she started a PhD in biomedical science and human genetics. A year in the lab made her realize, she wasn’t as big a nerd as she thought—she missed teaching and kids a lot. That is when she decided to get her master’s degree in outdoor education or as she calls it—a degree in playing in the woods.
Her master’s degree led to a job teaching 4th grade in Wilmette, Illinois where she continued to teach outdoor education and ecology, taking 120 4th graders for a three-day outdoor experience each year—each year that it is except the year Margaret was born. After nine years in 4th grade Miss Bailey moved back to kindergarten. Then when Margaret was ready to begin kindergarten, her sister convinced them to move to Silver City! Miss Bailey worked at G.W. Stout teaching first grade. That is when she and Ms. Aversa began the dream of an elementary charter school! While taking a year off teaching to work on the charter school dream, Miss Bailey did her parent volunteer hours at Aldo teaching using a specialized reading program. The successes with those students led to her job here. She loves the bringing together of all her academic passions that happens at Aldo.
M.A. Outdoor Education, Northern Illinois University
B.S. Elementary Education, minor in biology, Sterling College
Jennifer Lepisko
MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCIAL STUDIES
MIDDLE SCHOOL LANGUAGE ARTS
[email protected]
Jennifer Lepisko was raised in Vermont, but when she was 19 she decided to be like the Pilgrims she would later teach about and head west to seek a different life. Between then and now she has lived in Seattle and made attempts to be a Vermonter again, but it is only southern New Mexico that has held her. After living on the other side of the Gila River for five years her older daughter said, “No more homeschooling!” they moved to town, enrolled her daughter at Aldo, and Jennifer returned to college where she found inspired English professors who showed her the beauty and value of language. After earning her degree in English, she was hired at ALCS as an Educational Assistant in the middle school, where Mark, Scott, and Laura taught her how to teach. Since then she has become the co-coordinator of the middle school weekly experiential education outings, journalism teacher, writer of the Weekly Update and an 8th grade language arts and social studies teacher. Middle schoolers are entertaining beyond belief and Jennifer feels so lucky to spend her days with these people on the cusp of themselves. Teaching in a middle school has made Jennifer a better parent to the two best young women she knows. When not studying for the classes she teaches or the classes she takes, Jennifer likes to hike, play tennis, hunt for bargains at the thrift stores, and make meals for her family.
MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCIAL STUDIES
MIDDLE SCHOOL LANGUAGE ARTS
[email protected]
Jennifer Lepisko was raised in Vermont, but when she was 19 she decided to be like the Pilgrims she would later teach about and head west to seek a different life. Between then and now she has lived in Seattle and made attempts to be a Vermonter again, but it is only southern New Mexico that has held her. After living on the other side of the Gila River for five years her older daughter said, “No more homeschooling!” they moved to town, enrolled her daughter at Aldo, and Jennifer returned to college where she found inspired English professors who showed her the beauty and value of language. After earning her degree in English, she was hired at ALCS as an Educational Assistant in the middle school, where Mark, Scott, and Laura taught her how to teach. Since then she has become the co-coordinator of the middle school weekly experiential education outings, journalism teacher, writer of the Weekly Update and an 8th grade language arts and social studies teacher. Middle schoolers are entertaining beyond belief and Jennifer feels so lucky to spend her days with these people on the cusp of themselves. Teaching in a middle school has made Jennifer a better parent to the two best young women she knows. When not studying for the classes she teaches or the classes she takes, Jennifer likes to hike, play tennis, hunt for bargains at the thrift stores, and make meals for her family.
Garrett Ferguson
MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH & SCIENCE
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I am a Silver City native, having lived here for the majority of my life. I am looking to share my love of knowledge and curiosity for the unknown in our observable universe and beyond to any and all willing minds. Peace and blessings to you all!
MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH & SCIENCE
[email protected]
I am a Silver City native, having lived here for the majority of my life. I am looking to share my love of knowledge and curiosity for the unknown in our observable universe and beyond to any and all willing minds. Peace and blessings to you all!
Joshua Rex
6th GRADE
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Joshua Rex Vanderhoof brings a rich and diverse background in education and mindfulness to his role as a 6th-grade teacher. With advanced degrees in both Communication and Teaching, he combines his academic expertise with a passion for fostering social-emotional learning in students. Joshua earned his Masters of Arts in Teaching with a Dance Emphasis and a Masters of Arts in Communication from New Mexico State University. His academic journey began with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.
In his professional career, Joshua has demonstrated a commitment to education through various teaching roles. Currently, he serves as a College Instructor at Western New Mexico University, where he teaches Yoga classes and supports the design of the Yoga Teacher Training program. Additionally, as an SEL Specialist at Guadalupe Montessori School, he designs and implements programs that support the social-emotional learning of students, providing training in trauma-informed SEL best practices. His extensive experience also includes roles with the College Assistance Migrant Program at NMSU, a teaching guide at Acton Academy, and Roots Charter elementary in Denver, CO.. Joshua is excited to bring his wealth of experience and innovative teaching methods to the 6th-grade classroom, where he aims to inspire and empower students through developing their wonder into a lifetime of opportunity.
6th GRADE
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Joshua Rex Vanderhoof brings a rich and diverse background in education and mindfulness to his role as a 6th-grade teacher. With advanced degrees in both Communication and Teaching, he combines his academic expertise with a passion for fostering social-emotional learning in students. Joshua earned his Masters of Arts in Teaching with a Dance Emphasis and a Masters of Arts in Communication from New Mexico State University. His academic journey began with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.
In his professional career, Joshua has demonstrated a commitment to education through various teaching roles. Currently, he serves as a College Instructor at Western New Mexico University, where he teaches Yoga classes and supports the design of the Yoga Teacher Training program. Additionally, as an SEL Specialist at Guadalupe Montessori School, he designs and implements programs that support the social-emotional learning of students, providing training in trauma-informed SEL best practices. His extensive experience also includes roles with the College Assistance Migrant Program at NMSU, a teaching guide at Acton Academy, and Roots Charter elementary in Denver, CO.. Joshua is excited to bring his wealth of experience and innovative teaching methods to the 6th-grade classroom, where he aims to inspire and empower students through developing their wonder into a lifetime of opportunity.
Serena Murillo
High School English
[email protected]
Serena is a fourth generation New Mexican. Because of her deep roots here, she wanted to try to make a positive impact on her community, and that is how she ended up in the teaching field. She graduated from Western New Mexico University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in History, and returned to WNMU to complete her Master of Arts in Teaching in 2011. She has taught in different districts, at different grade levels, and started with Aldo in 2021.
Serena enjoys spending time with her dogs, gardening and going on adventures in our Gila National Forest.
High School English
[email protected]
Serena is a fourth generation New Mexican. Because of her deep roots here, she wanted to try to make a positive impact on her community, and that is how she ended up in the teaching field. She graduated from Western New Mexico University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in History, and returned to WNMU to complete her Master of Arts in Teaching in 2011. She has taught in different districts, at different grade levels, and started with Aldo in 2021.
Serena enjoys spending time with her dogs, gardening and going on adventures in our Gila National Forest.
Ray Cressler
High School English
[email protected]
Ray Cressler was born in Shippensburg, a small town in South-Central Pennsylvania, but moved to Silver City in 2013. He has worked a variety of jobs, from construction to food service to owning a coffee shop on Bullard Street for 6 years with his wife Brooke, all the while maintaining creative side jobs as a musician, writer, and editor before coming to work at ALCS in 2021 (first delivering lunches, then as an EA, now as a High School Language Arts teacher).
Ray received a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and Philosophy in 2008 from Susquehanna University. In 2009 he continued his education by hiking the Appalachian trail from Georgia to Maine. In 2023 he received a Master of Arts in Teaching from WNMU.
With a love for literature, philosophy, and interpersonal dialogue, Ray believes deeply that the reading, listening, thinking, understanding, and communication skills emphasized in the Language arts are essential to maintaining a free and democratic society.
High School English
[email protected]
Ray Cressler was born in Shippensburg, a small town in South-Central Pennsylvania, but moved to Silver City in 2013. He has worked a variety of jobs, from construction to food service to owning a coffee shop on Bullard Street for 6 years with his wife Brooke, all the while maintaining creative side jobs as a musician, writer, and editor before coming to work at ALCS in 2021 (first delivering lunches, then as an EA, now as a High School Language Arts teacher).
Ray received a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and Philosophy in 2008 from Susquehanna University. In 2009 he continued his education by hiking the Appalachian trail from Georgia to Maine. In 2023 he received a Master of Arts in Teaching from WNMU.
With a love for literature, philosophy, and interpersonal dialogue, Ray believes deeply that the reading, listening, thinking, understanding, and communication skills emphasized in the Language arts are essential to maintaining a free and democratic society.
Alison Phillips
VISUAL ARTS
[email protected]
Alison Phillips joined the New Mexico community from southern Arizona. She earned her degree in Visual Art Education from Northern Arizona University, certified K-12. She originally pursued an ecology degree, however, when she spent most of her field time drawing the trees and insects instead of collecting data, she realized there might be a better path for her. Also, apparently when pursuing a science degree, you can't take a bunch of art classes. Alison ultimately blended her love for the natural world with visual art. Many of her own art pieces focus on the local flora and fauna.
Alison created a 'back-up' plan to student teach in Silver City. Then she found herself moving from Flagstaff to Silver City to student teach at Silver High. After her student teaching, she was hired to teach visual art at Jose Barrios Elementary. She instantly fell in love with her students and the Silver City community. After four years at JB, Alison took the art educator position at the brand new Aldo Leopold Middle School. Soon after that, she started the art program in the high school.
While teaching art, Alison became a student again; this time at Western New Mexico University where she earned her masters in visual art and special education from Western New Mexico University. She spent many wonderful hours in the clay studio and gained more knowledge to share with her students.
Alison cannot imagine not being a visual art teacher. She loves to support her students to succeed artistically and to share their creations with the community. Twice a year she organizes an art show of Aldo student art work at a local coffee shop.
In her spare time she likes to be with her amazing husband, son, four dogs, two fish, thirteen chickens and one guinea pig. And also to be outside as much as possible, traveling, camping, backpacking, hiking, and creeping on animals.
VISUAL ARTS
[email protected]
Alison Phillips joined the New Mexico community from southern Arizona. She earned her degree in Visual Art Education from Northern Arizona University, certified K-12. She originally pursued an ecology degree, however, when she spent most of her field time drawing the trees and insects instead of collecting data, she realized there might be a better path for her. Also, apparently when pursuing a science degree, you can't take a bunch of art classes. Alison ultimately blended her love for the natural world with visual art. Many of her own art pieces focus on the local flora and fauna.
Alison created a 'back-up' plan to student teach in Silver City. Then she found herself moving from Flagstaff to Silver City to student teach at Silver High. After her student teaching, she was hired to teach visual art at Jose Barrios Elementary. She instantly fell in love with her students and the Silver City community. After four years at JB, Alison took the art educator position at the brand new Aldo Leopold Middle School. Soon after that, she started the art program in the high school.
While teaching art, Alison became a student again; this time at Western New Mexico University where she earned her masters in visual art and special education from Western New Mexico University. She spent many wonderful hours in the clay studio and gained more knowledge to share with her students.
Alison cannot imagine not being a visual art teacher. She loves to support her students to succeed artistically and to share their creations with the community. Twice a year she organizes an art show of Aldo student art work at a local coffee shop.
In her spare time she likes to be with her amazing husband, son, four dogs, two fish, thirteen chickens and one guinea pig. And also to be outside as much as possible, traveling, camping, backpacking, hiking, and creeping on animals.
Zachary Tecca
High School Health, Biology, and Lab Sciences
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Zachary Tecca has backgrounds in performing arts and science. He had acted professionally for a few years, before shifting his focus to science and conservation. He has earned two Bachelors of Science degrees, in Zoology and Botany, and has a Master of Arts in Teaching from Western New Mexico University.
His love for the nature stems from growing up in the “llano.” He spent his childhood catching and identifying every organism he could in the deserts of Lordsburg, New Mexico. With a passion for natural systems and genetics, his intentions in teaching are to instill a similar passion for biology and cultivate an environmentally conscientious mindset.
High School Health, Biology, and Lab Sciences
[email protected]
Zachary Tecca has backgrounds in performing arts and science. He had acted professionally for a few years, before shifting his focus to science and conservation. He has earned two Bachelors of Science degrees, in Zoology and Botany, and has a Master of Arts in Teaching from Western New Mexico University.
His love for the nature stems from growing up in the “llano.” He spent his childhood catching and identifying every organism he could in the deserts of Lordsburg, New Mexico. With a passion for natural systems and genetics, his intentions in teaching are to instill a similar passion for biology and cultivate an environmentally conscientious mindset.
Nate Shay
HIGH SCHOOL SPECIAL ED
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I grew up in Silver City, but have also visited foreign countries including Guatemala, Mexico, Canada, France, Switzerland and Italy as well as other parts of the US. I enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking and bicycling, which help me maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. For the past four years I have been the head coach of the ALCS mountain bike team. Student-athletes compete in five Arizona Interscholastic Cycling League (AICL) events in the Fall season. This has been a successful program which continues to grow and expand.
I have been in several leadership/instructor roles in both military and civilian situations. I’m good at problem solving and dealing with people and situations as they come. I’m also technically, linguistically and mechanically skilled. I currently teach Special Education at the AlCS High School. I enjoy teaching kids which I have done for the last fourteen years, most recently as a Special Ed teacher at ALCS Middle School. I love the Aldo school’s ability to offer experiential education opportunities to students that conventional public schools cannot. This is the most beautiful place for those opportunities to foster and grow our students into tomorrow’s leaders.
HIGH SCHOOL SPECIAL ED
[email protected]
I grew up in Silver City, but have also visited foreign countries including Guatemala, Mexico, Canada, France, Switzerland and Italy as well as other parts of the US. I enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking and bicycling, which help me maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. For the past four years I have been the head coach of the ALCS mountain bike team. Student-athletes compete in five Arizona Interscholastic Cycling League (AICL) events in the Fall season. This has been a successful program which continues to grow and expand.
I have been in several leadership/instructor roles in both military and civilian situations. I’m good at problem solving and dealing with people and situations as they come. I’m also technically, linguistically and mechanically skilled. I currently teach Special Education at the AlCS High School. I enjoy teaching kids which I have done for the last fourteen years, most recently as a Special Ed teacher at ALCS Middle School. I love the Aldo school’s ability to offer experiential education opportunities to students that conventional public schools cannot. This is the most beautiful place for those opportunities to foster and grow our students into tomorrow’s leaders.
Pete Rankin
HIGH SCHOOL HISTORY
COMMUNITY ORIENTATION COORDINATOR
BACKPACKING TRIP COORDINATOR
[email protected]
Pete has lived in the Southwest since 1987. Graduating from high school in Farmington New Mexico on the Colorado Plateau, a bio-region where he was blessed with many days bow-hunting, riding horses and playing soccer. He then lived in Durango Colorado and attended Fort Lewis College from 1993 until 1997, earning a BA in Political Science. After that, he attended law school at the University of New Mexico before deciding that his career passion was in the realm of working with young people instead of in a courtroom.
From 2000 until 2009, Pete served as head boys soccer coach and educator at Farmington High School, while escaping 6 hours south to the Gila wilderness as often as possible to bow hunt, camp and hike. In late 2009 -- on a sabbatical from teaching -- he relocated to the Gila watershed and, shortly thereafter, stumbled across this remarkable school named after Aldo Leopold, one of the founding fathers for protecting wilderness in the United States. Thereby, as luck would have it, he is actualizing his dream of living & working, in the outdoors, within this beloved, biodiverse region of mountains, deserts & free-flowing waters. Pete's journey at ALCS over the past 6 years represents a blending of the age-old love for wild pathways with a love for facilitating an experiential process of life-long, inquiry-based learning within himself and others.
HIGH SCHOOL HISTORY
COMMUNITY ORIENTATION COORDINATOR
BACKPACKING TRIP COORDINATOR
[email protected]
Pete has lived in the Southwest since 1987. Graduating from high school in Farmington New Mexico on the Colorado Plateau, a bio-region where he was blessed with many days bow-hunting, riding horses and playing soccer. He then lived in Durango Colorado and attended Fort Lewis College from 1993 until 1997, earning a BA in Political Science. After that, he attended law school at the University of New Mexico before deciding that his career passion was in the realm of working with young people instead of in a courtroom.
From 2000 until 2009, Pete served as head boys soccer coach and educator at Farmington High School, while escaping 6 hours south to the Gila wilderness as often as possible to bow hunt, camp and hike. In late 2009 -- on a sabbatical from teaching -- he relocated to the Gila watershed and, shortly thereafter, stumbled across this remarkable school named after Aldo Leopold, one of the founding fathers for protecting wilderness in the United States. Thereby, as luck would have it, he is actualizing his dream of living & working, in the outdoors, within this beloved, biodiverse region of mountains, deserts & free-flowing waters. Pete's journey at ALCS over the past 6 years represents a blending of the age-old love for wild pathways with a love for facilitating an experiential process of life-long, inquiry-based learning within himself and others.
