I am a mother, artist, and educator who has worked in charter and private education for over 20 years. My experience as an artist inspires my life as an educator, and my experience as an educator inspires my life as an artist. My career began as a visual artist focused on sculpture and large-scale installations. My background in the arts led to a position developing creative problem-solving curriculum. In 2006 I became the Head of Early Childhood for an international school in Shenzhen, China. During my time there, I launched many new programs for teachers and implemented community collaborations inspired by the student's interests. When I returned to Santa Fe, I was looking for a school where my creativity and passion for education could support a diverse group of learners and their families. When I discovered TTCS I knew it was the school I had been searching for.

I have a BFA in Sculpture from Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids, MI. Then after finding love in teaching art and pottery to young children, I completed my MEd in Early Childhood Education from Northern Arizona University. I love learning so now I am pursuing my PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from NMSU. In my free time, I spend time with my daughters creating sculptures and paintings. I also love illustrating and writing children's books and reading educational theory.

Joe Dan M. Lovato is a middle school principal, former science educator, and musician originally from Roy, New Mexico (Class of 2003). He earned a BA in Education from ENMU in 2007, a MA in Education (Curriculum and Instruction) from ENMU in 2014. He possesses a Level III Administration license, a Level III-A K-8 Elementary license, and a Level III-A Pre K-12 Special Education license with endorsements in science and health. Joe Dan finished his 15th year teaching STEAM-H, newspaper/journalism, and leading the restorative justice program at Mark Armijo Academy a charter high school located near the South Valley of Albuquerque; where he lead his team to a 2021 Governor's STEM Challenge Statewide Championship. Previously, he taught middle school science; he also taught the 8th grade Next-Step class, the STEAM-H elective, and incentive electives in cryptozoology, extraterrestrial/paranormal investigations, intro to songwriting, and guitar workshop. Joe Dan is now the middle school principal at Turquoise Trail Charter School located in Santa Fe.

He is a 2018 NMPED Teacher of the Year Finalist and is the 2019 New Mexico Teach Plus Policy Fellow of the Year, where he and his team conducted research and advocated for Social and Emotional Learning. He served as a New Mexico Teach Plus Policy Senior Fellow for 2021 and 2022. He helped with the Phoenix Project (Teach Plus) and was an Along Fellow with CZI (Chan Zuckerberg Initiative). Joe Dan is also a board member for Solare Collegiate Charter School where he serves as the Secretary and is the Academic Excellence Committee Chair. Joe Dan is a singer, song writer, and guitarist who has played with a variety of musicians and shared the stage with many different bands throughout the years. He was a member of the local progressive rock band Blackwater Draw (2006-2015) and has since embarked on a solo career under the moniker “Joe Dan The Man”. He released his debut self-titled EP in 2015 with positive reviews and is currently working on a full-length album with two separate projects. Joe Dan and his wife Brandi (originally from Portales) are raising their very energetic 5 years old daughter, Joe Danna and 1 year old son Lathan. "Being a teacher and musician gives me the platforms necessary to invoke change in the most positive manner possible.”

Leslie grew up mostly in the New England area and got her Bachelor’s of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Vermont with a minor in Spanish. Graduate school took her to Oklahoma where she received her Master’s of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. She spent the next 3 ½ years living in Laredo, TX practicing Speech-Language Pathology in the medical field before moving to Santa Fe in 2008. After 4 more years working in the hospital, she decided to switch to working as a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) in the schools to better suit her busy family’s needs.

She worked in the public schools as an SLP for students in PreK thru 12th grade for about 7 years and then served as a Program Support Specialist helping to oversee all the related services (physical, occupational, and speech therapies, as well as social work services) for 3 years. After completing a program to obtain her Administrative license, Leslie came on board with Turquoise Trail Charter School as the Director of Special Education in March of 2022. She is looking forward to her first full year of serving the staff, students and families here at TTCS this coming school year!

Francesca has been work at Turquoise Trail Charter School for 7 years now. She began working part time at Turquoise Trail when her youngest was in Pre K, serving as assistant to the Head Administrator. Francesca started working in customer service during her university years as a Front Office Assistant Manager at the Old Faithful Lodge and then the Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone National park. Once she married and started having children, she focused mostly on being a stay-at-home mom. Francesca discovered Turquoise Trail through her children when her oldest got in the Pre K. She volunteered at first and eventually joined the PTO, becoming president of the PTO for 3 years.

Francesca is the Secretary for the Turquoise Trail Charter School Foundation. She has a bachelor’s of science from Vanderbilt University. She still enjoys volunteering and singing with the Coyote Chorus and playing volleyball or hiking with her kids. She has a passion of pottery and sells her wares at craft shows. “Turquoise Trail Charter School is a wonderful place because the main focus has and will always be the children.”