Our Faculty and Staff

Ms. Gen has been with TANM since 2013. She received a Master’s Degree in Special Education from NM Highlands University and obtained her Administrative License in 2019. Serving as the Executive Director 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.

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 an Educational Consultant for Tierra Adentro of New Mexico. 

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.

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.

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 Garcia 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, Mrs.Garcia gained valuable experience working as a tutor and instructor in various disciplines. Mrs. Garcia 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. Mrs. Garcia 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. Mrs. Garcia 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. Mrs. Garcia is bilingual, Spanish being her second language. She is passionate about learning and is currently studying French, pottery, and guitar.

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.

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.