Our Faculty

Creative Education Preparatory Institute prepares the students of today for the world of tomorrow. Our faculty makes this possible by fostering a love of learning in our students. It starts with a well-balanced curriculum. We make sure the class content fits both our learning objectives and the reality of our students' lives. 

Ken Anderson: Mathematics

Jeff Arthur: Social Studies & Health

      Since I retired from the Army, I have been an active social studies and physical education teacher. I have taught at Eastern New Mexico University teaching physical education classes as part of the education department and at the high school level teaching social studies and PE. While teaching I have been active in the education profession by having made numerous presentations at state and national conventions. My presentation topics range from how to meet state physical education standards to best practices when teaching at-risk students. I am a past president of New Mexico Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance. Currently, I teach all the social studies classes.

Laurel Christensen: Mathematics

Jerry Esquivel: Smart Lab

Valerie Gabaldon: Special Education

Lisa Loftis: English & Reading Specialist

Mark Murmer: Mathematics

     I am from the upstate New York and served in the Army for five years. I have lived in ABQ for 12 years and worked as a lab/pharmacy technician and chemist. I have four Bachelors of Science degrees in chemistry, math, biology and biochemical pharmacology and a Master of Arts in mathematics education (minor in chemistry) from UNM.  

     My teaching experience ranges from vocational (PIMA, Apollo College, JATC), college (CNM, SIPI, UNM) and secondary (middle and high school, Job Corps). I teach math and science at CNM and the lead math instructor at the Joint Apprentice Electrical Training Committee, Local 611. I am involved with the Teachers of America and endorsed in mathematics, science, health and physical education. 

     It is my fourth year at CEPI and it is my goal for all students to understand and appreciate not only mathematics but the sciences as well. It is my aspiration that each student will be able to understand and apply the information and enjoy working in whatever profession they chose. On a personal note, my hobbies include sports, history and literature, FOOTBALL (GO NY GIANTS!), weightlifting, coaching baseball, basketball and football, playing the piano, trivia buff, playing computer games and reading to name a few.

Daphne Orner: Social Studies and Mathematics

     My passion for education, particularly using technology stems from my previous “lives”. My first degree is in Mechanical Engineering from UNM. I worked as a Design and Construction Engineer for Chevron, an Application Engineer for Spectral Dynamics, a Technical Sales Representative for Hewlett Packard, and as a Technical Computer Sales Representative for Hewlett Packard and Digital Equipment. I returned to UNM while being a “stay at home mom” and earned my teaching certification and Master’s in Secondary Education. I taught for many years using NovaNet in various high schools in Albuquerque and am still learning about the power of these online tools to truly create a customized, engaging environment for our 21st Century students.

Laurie Rowan: Science

Marie Stern: Educational Assistant

Jim Stewart: Mathematics

     I started teaching math in 1992 when I retired from the Air Force. It sounds trite, but I entered teaching because I wanted to make a difference in the lives of kids. I enjoy the opportunity to work one-on-one with the students at CEPi. It is important to do well in high school because the better you do the more options you will have as  an adult. 

 

Success = Options; Make Success a Habit!

Judi Velarde: Science

     I was born in Columbia, South Carolina. As an Air Force dependent, I have traveled the world. I have lived in New Mexico since I was nine-years-old. Does that make me a native?

     My husband works as pediatric physical therapist working with rural school districts across New Mexico. My daughter is now five and is enjoying school. She is bright, beautiful, and funny. 

     I earned my MA in Education from UNM.

     I like to share Bill Gates advice to students about the 11 things they don't teach in high school:

  • Life is not fair--get use to it. The world won't care about your self-esteem.
  • The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.
  • You will NOT make 40 thousand dollars a year right out of high school. 
  • If you think your teacher is tough, wait until you get a boss. He doesn't have tenure.
  • Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your grandparents had a different word for burger flipping; they called it OPPORTUNITY.
  • If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes; learn from them.
  • Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes, and listening to you talk about how cool you are. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parents' generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.
  • Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life has not. In some schools they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as many times as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.
  • Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you find yourself. Do that on your own time.
  • Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.
  • Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.

Kelly Wogenrich: Honors English & Spanish