School History
Founded in 1999, EM was one of the first charter schools authorized in the state of New Mexico. As we enter our 26th year, we are proud of our school’s many accomplishments: an ‘A’ Rating from the Public Education Dept every year, “Spotlight Status,” National Blue Ribbon recognition from the US Dept of Education, state championship athletics, and internationally recognized extra-curricular activities.
We help all students navigate their path to college, career, and beyond. We know that the future poses many complex challenges, but our faculty is committed to instilling a sense of creative problem-solving in all students.
In the coming months, we are excited to expand our reach with the addition of new facilities to support our new middle school program!
EM is currently ranked as a school of “Excellence,” by the NM Public Education Department, placing EMHS in the top ten percent of schools statewide. Click the button on the right to read more about NM Vistas, the school quality dashboard for the state of New Mexico.

East Mountain was named a National Blue Ribbon School, the highest designation awarded by the U.S. Department of Education. East Mountain was the only high school in New Mexico to receive the honor in 2018.
What Is a Charter School?
East Mountain is a charter school. A charter school is a public school developed by one or more parents, teachers, or community members authorized by the local school board to provide an alternative educational setting to students in the public school system. Charter schools provide an opportunity to create new, innovative, and more flexible ways of educating children.
Charter schools must describe their goals and how they will meet them in their charter, a document which must be approved by a local or state board every five years. Charter schools are held accountable to meeting the goals set out in their charters.
East Mountain’s most recent charter, governing the years 2025-2030, was approved by Albuquerque Public Schools in 2024.The leadership of the school continues to explore opportunities to expand to welcome as many families as possible.
Charter schools are not restricted by district boundaries and admit students regardless of where they live. They are funded by taxpayer dollars in ways similar to how traditional public district schools are funded. Although they are independent, charter schools are not private schools and do not charge tuition.
Mission & Vision
A safe, innovative environment, EM engages a diverse community of learners through transformative experiences and creative problem-solving to shape forward-thinking leaders.
EM is currently developing a strategic plan that addresses a vision for the school for the next 5/10/20 years.
The plan is built around four pillars:
I. Student Learning & Wellness
II. Staff Learning & Wellness
III. Finance & Facilities
IV. Community Engagement
Core Values
EM strives for students and staff who value:
- Collaboration
- Empathy
- Reflection
- Integrity
- Curiosity

Leadership & Organization
With a mission devoted to forward-thinking leadership, we believe every student and staff on our campus is a leader. EM is committed to a distributive leadership model where all staff play key roles in decision-making and support.
The heart of that model begins at the teacher-student level. The classroom teacher is the expert in their curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Any questions regarding the student experience should first be directed at the teacher level.
While a teacher’s primary obligation is to serve the student, our staff serves the needs of our teachers. This interconnected leadership model empowers each individual to work tirelessly toward achieving the school’s mission and is a testament to the democratic principles on which the United States was founded.
Administration
Our leadership is devoted to serving the needs of our teachers, empowering them to succeed with students.

Trey Smith
Executive Director

Margi Miranda
Principal

Amanda Forkasdi Millea
Senior Director of Guidance & Compliance

Hannah Flake
Director of Special Education

Bird Podzemny
Director of Student Support
School Staff
EM boasts a dedicated team of educators and support staff committed to student success. Our staff includes experienced teachers, counselors, and administrators who work collaboratively to create a nurturing and academically challenging environment.
The email address for any staff member is their first initial plus their last name @eastmountainhigh.net. (for example: jbrown@eastmountainhigh.net).
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Lynsey Bohannon
English and Drama Instructor
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Marie Booth
Science Instructor, MESA Advisor and the FRC Robotics Coach
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Laurie Edeal Boyce
Math Instructor
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Gwen Brown
Operations Manager
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Trudy Candelaria
Speech-Language Pathologist
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Krysta Cano
Administrative Assistant
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Cynthia Daly
English Instructor
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Shayna Davidson
French Instructor
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Art Famiglietta
Security Guard
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Nicole Fichtner
Mathematics Instructor
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Hannah Flake
Director of Special Education
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Kasi Giovenco
Physical Education Instructor
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Carmen Healy
English and Creative Writing Instructor
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Tucker Janes
Freshman and Senior Seminar, Psychology and Special Education Instructor
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Michael Jamison
Humanities Instructor
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Adam James Jones
Humanities Instructor
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David King
Custodial Staff
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Laurel LeGate
Social Studies and Government Teacher
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Tamara Marcelain
College & Career Readiness Counselor
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Delina McKnight
Administrative Assistant
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Shyann McKnight
Educational Assistant and Health Assistant
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Amanda Forkasdi Millea
Senior Director of Guidance and Compliance
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Stephen Morris
Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC), Biology and Wildlife Management Instructor
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Nicole Naylor
Spanish Instructor and the Languages Department Chair
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Charlotte Nee
Registrar and the School Librarian
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Atalie Nelson
Special Education Instructor, SAGA club sponsor and assistant Speech and Debate coach
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Colton Oord
Health and Physical Education Instructor and the Head Boys Soccer Coach
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Bird Podzemny
Director of Student Success
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Pam Rothe
School Nurse
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Marisa Salazar
Anatomy and Physiology and Environmental Science Instructor
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Dr. Melanie Sanchez-Dinwiddie
Mathematics and Science Instructor
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Jesse Schwebach
Government, Economics and Philosophy Teacher
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Wanda Sena
Educational Assistant
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Ireland Shea
Educational Assistant
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Trey Smith
Executive Director
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Lee Theobald
Art Instructor
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Brandy Wood
BA and MA degrees in Social Work
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Michael Wood
Music and Technology Instructor
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Lennon Cuevas
Social Studies Instructor.
Awards and Recognitions

EM wins National School Award
EM is proud to be a winner of the Model Charter Leadership Award, sponsored by Building Hope!
Math Teacher Receives Prestigious Award
Chair of the East Mountain Math Department, Jennifer Webb, has been named one of four state-level finalists for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching!


2025 CSGF Seed Cohort
Charter School Growth Fund (CSGF) supports charter schools and leaders who lead some of the most successful public charter schools and continue to redefine what is possible for America’s public schools. As a national nonprofit, CSGF makes multi-year, philanthropic investments in talented education leaders from around the country who are achieving strong student outcomes and want to expand their impact.
Special Education
East Mountain implements a complete special education program, including IEPs for students with disabilities, and a gifted program.
Please contact Special Education Director Hannah Flake with any questions. I look forward to hearing from you! 505-819-3592.
You can find particular EM Special Education policies and procedures below:
Governing Council
The East Mountain Governing Council is the legal authority for the school and is equivalent to the school board of a traditional public school. Monthly meetings dealing with school business and educational topics are held as announced below.
The Governing Council adheres to the New Mexico Open Meetings Act, and members of the public are invited to attend the meetings of the Council at all times except when in closed session as permitted by law.
GC Members
Dr. Glenn Hushman, Board President, ghushman@unm.edu
Lt. General Brad Hosmer, Chair of Strategic Planning & Outcomes
Karen Thompson, Chair of Finance & Facilities
Janea Davis, Member of Strategic Planning & Outcomes
Judith Becker, Member of Finance & Facilities
Amy Rome, Member of Strategic Planning & Outcomes
Documents
All EM Governing Council agendas and minutes are located here.
Beginning July 2024, all GC meetings are recorded and available to view here.
To view the Grievance policy, click here.
Governing Council Documents and Resources
Belonging & Safety

The EM mission speaks to a commitment to providing a safe environment for a diverse community of learners. All students, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, political beliefs, physical disability, ethnicity, socioeconomic level, age, or religion, should feel secure in their identity on the EM campus.
It is the shared responsibility of our entire community of students, faculty, staff, administration, coaches, volunteers, and family members to foster mutual respect and understanding. While we live in incredibly divisive times, EM seeks to better prepare students for a world where people from diverse backgrounds and diverse beliefs can work together in common purpose.
Contact the New Mexico Anti-Racism Portal For more information on the Anti-Racism, Anti-Oppression Portal or to report an incident, use this link.
EM maintains several programs and initiatives as a demonstration of this commitment.
- Equity Council
- SAGA
- New Mexico Diversity Conference for Youth
- Freshman Seminar
- Culturally-Responsive Reading and Materials
- Faculty Professional Development
- Student Handbook & Code of Conduct
To Report an Incident:
Call (833) 485-1335
Email ARAO.Hotline@state.nm.us.
Fill out the online form.

