This is now my 5th year leading Cross of Hope School as its Director.  I have been working in the field of education and outreach ministry for the past 30 years.  I earned my B.A. from the University of Colorado (Go Buffs!) with a double major in Spanish/Business & Latin American Studies, my Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction from Wichita State University and my Certificate in Deacon Studies from The Methodist Theological School in Ohio.  Most recently I have completed my candidacy in Word & Service with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and have been approved to become ordained as a Deacon.

My husband Antonio and I have been married for 29 years!  We met in the Dominican Republic while I was serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer.  We have two daughters, Caroline (24) and Lydia (21) and two dogs, Shadow and Coco.

I feel incredibly fortunate to work with such a talented team of educators!  As you’ll read in their bio’s they really are quite amazing individuals!

I have been at Cross of Hope preschool since August 2015. This year beginning August 2022, I am honored to be the new director of the preschool. My educational background is a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Multicultural Education, and I will be completing a Master’s degree in education in May 2023. My teaching experience is with children between the ages of 6 months to 5 years old, for more than 15 years.

The preschool means a lot to me and I want to continue building the program, as well as keeping the aspects that make the school special. Because of this school, I have grown not only as a person, but spiritually, and professionally.  Through my experience, I want to give back everything I can, in order to advance  the goals and traditions the preschool has to offer.  I am excited to travel through this journey with the amazing families and staff and continuing the legacy, integrity and excellence the preschool is known for.

I first came to Cross of Hope as a young mother in MOPS in 1993 when my first child, a son, was 2 years old.  Being a part of MOPS I heard from another mother about how wonderful the preschool was. At that time my second child, a daughter, was four and I was happy to be able to put her in the four year old preschool program. My youngest child, a daughter, was able to attend Cross of Hope Preschool for two years.  For one of those years our wonderful Miss Janna was one of her teachers. I was totally in love with the preschool! I was asked if I would be interested in being a substitute teacher, to which I said “yes”. In 2005 I was asked if I would be interested in applying for the educational assistant position that was opening up in the three year old program the following school year, so I did. The following year I was so blessed by the Lord and this preschool to be asked to become the lead teacher for the three year old program. The Lord gave me a new song in my hear to teach!! I never thought I would be a teacher.  I love what I do and I feel very belssed to be just a little part of these children’s lives!!

At age 31, I started my education journey in Colorado with two young boys in tow. I graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Northern Colorado with a degree in Human Communication, with an endorsement in Elementary Education after 5 1/2 years.  I completed my Master’s in Elementary Education 4 years later.  I taught for 21 years in public education with Aurora Public Schools, spending 9 of those years as a Math Teacher Leader.  In that role, I taught math part time and then taught teachers how to teach math for both my building and the district.  I am thrilled to start my 2nd year, teaching my faith here at Cross of Hope School.

Home and Family:  I am married, and my husband is retired from Sandia Labs. We have a son and a daughter who are both adults. We have three grandchildren and one great grandson. Our four-legged family members consist of two doggies and one kitty cat who keep us entertained and
provide us with lots of love and great companionship. We are native to the Land of Enchantment. We love to eat and cook New Mexican food and love both red and green Chile.

Education: I earned both my bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in Elementary Education K-8 from UNM. I am a licensed K-8 level IIIA Instructor with endorsements in TESOL and Language Arts. I have taught grades K-3 and held various teaching positions where I taught grades K-5 in small groups. I have experience in teaching multi-age groups and diverse populations. I have 23.5 years of teaching experience mostly in Albuquerque Public Schools. I joined the teaching staff here at Cross of Hope School in January of this year and I am so blessed to be among this community.

Hi! My name is Mrs. Elaine Pratt! My husband Jeff and I have been married for 29 years. We met at work when I worked in the semi- conductor industry in NY.  We have no children, unfortunately; but love our 3 Alaskan breed dogs: Tatiana, Oksana, and our rescue, Aspen.  I enjoy traveling, reading, playing with the dogs, and cooking.  This will be my 14th year at Cross of Hope School.

B.S. in Business Administration, double major in information systems and management from Manhattan College.  I worked for 15 years as a computer programmer, tech, and online tech support.  I earned my Master of Education in Special Education from New Mexico Highlands University.  I am dual certified in New Mexico to teach General and Special Ed

Began her teaching journey in 1996, just a few years out of her Bachelor of Science at UNM. She took a 2-year teaching program and earned a post-baccalaureate in K-8 education. Teaching 5th grade at Inez Elementary, she also started her own family and stayed home to raise her daughter and son. While they attended pre-school at Cross of Hope, she pursued her Master of Education. She has taught 3rd through 8th grade and spent 8 of her 14 years in the classroom at Cross of Hope School; and Pastor Adam has been her own pastor for the past 5 years here at our church.

“I learned to love learning in the experimental classrooms of the 1970s where we had a mini society to learn economics, created, and performed our own commercials to show our learning, were able to move ahead in math or do more practice in small groups, where we sat in reading groups and got to talk about books, and had amazing art lessons in calligraphy and macramé! Mrs. Scavarda and Mr. Bailey were my own 4th and 5th grade teachers who unknowingly shaped my destiny to teach!”

I’m a 3rd year PhD student and instructor in the Physical Education Teacher Education / Curriculum and Instruction program at the University of New Mexico. I received my Bachelor’s in Physical Education Teaching and Masters in Kinesiology and Health, both from the University of Wyoming. My experience includes 2 years teaching elementary PE, 4 years teaching university courses and supervising pre-service teachers, and 3 years coaching 19U baseball.

I went to school for my undergraduate’s degree in Sport Exercise Science with a minor in PE teaching K-12 Cert. at University of Northern Colorado (the teacher’s school—before Bears the mascot was a teacher) in Greeley, CO. Then went to University of Wisconsin La Crosse for a master’s in physical education with 2 minors, one in outdoor adventure education and another in adapted physical education. Now I am at UNM for a PhD in Physical Education Teacher Education. I am in my second year at UNM, and I have 3 years of teaching experience.

Lynne Bagby is the editor of the Cross of Hope newsletter, Rays of Hope.  She is also a volunteer substitute and works at the Welcome Desk at Cross of Hope.  Lynne loves Cross of Hope Church and School.  It is rewarding to work with people at the church and be able to be a part of the amazing education the children are receiving at Cross of Hope. After teaching for 39 years, Lynne retired.  It wasn’t long before she realized that she needed to be involved, especially with children.  Once a teacher, always a teacher.  Nothing feels better than being a volunteer! 

I grew up in Albuquerque and married my high school sweetheart. We have been married 10 years and have a beautiful daughter who attends Cross of Hope. I received my education here in Albuquerque in Fine Art, and in younger years studied Early Childhood Education. I have the privilege of teaching art and facilitating lunch and recess occasionally. Our family has been part of COH since preschool years and it is a very important, close knit community to us. I love being on staff with thoughtful and experienced peers who love God and their students, and care about education and healthy child development

My name is Nancy Lacher. I’m a retired educator who volunteers in a variety of capacities at Cross of Hope School. My history in education includes being a general education teacher, a Special Education teacher, and a principal. I served in the Albuquerque Public Schools for 35 years. I love being able to stay connected
with kids in an educational capacity. I enjoy their energy and sense of wonder. They help me stay young at heart.