Our Enrichment Instructors: Spring 2024

Bios

GWENYTH DELMARGO

Gwen is a former Zia student who now attends CNM as an education major. She hopes to move on to UNM and continue her path to a career in education. Currently Gwen is a manager and skate teacher at Skate-O-Mania with 5 years of experience helping kids and adults learn to skate safely and with skill.

PATTY GILLIS 

Patty has been teaching in school art programs since her college days in Pittsburgh. She has taught in many Title I schools in Albuquerque through YDI, Citizens School and Art in the School. Patty has also taught at ZFFC on and off for over eight years. She has recently returned to ZFFC for day camps and summer camps where her creative and original classes and projects stand out!

KELLEE LARISON

Kellee has worked with at risk youth in Albuquerque for 10+ years. Most recently, for a change of pace, she worked as a preschool teacher with 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 year olds. Kellee began her personal journey with yoga, mindfulness, and meditation in college and saw the positive impact it had on her college experience. Kellee believes in the resiliency of people and encourages the idea that life is about play, and while things get hard for us all sometimes, there is always a silver lining (even if we don’t know what that may be at the time.)

AMY MAESTAS

Amy Maestas is an artists has worked with a range of mediums such as ceramics and sculpture, to drawing, painting and various forms of printmaking. While attending UNM, she studied several forms of printmaking including lithography, screen-printing, relief and intaglio processes. Today, she continues to create new work in her home studio under the name Ayemurs (aim*ers), her childhood nickname. She focuses in relief print techniques on paper and upcycled textile. She can be found displaying artwork at different local pop-up events in Albuquerqu and around the southwest. She also works full time at Lorenco’s Salon as an esthetician, permanent makeup artist, and nail artist.

MALI NICHOLS

My name is Mali Nichols and I am a STEAM educator from Explora. I recently joined the Explora team. Before working at Explora I was a FoodCorps Service member, teaching food and garden education at APS, BPS, and a farm-to-school nonprofit. I also have a background in computer science. I am excited to start working with your kids in the spring. Together we can explore all that Explora has to offer.

CORINNA ROCHE

Corinna was drawn to dance for its capacity to evoke empathy, build community, and spark critical dialogue. Corinna studied dance at UNM and received her dance teaching credentials from California State University East Bay. She teaches technique and choreography with a foundation of creative movement. Her curriculum encourages students to explore themselves and the world around them through movement, and supports socio emotional and physical development.

JOE SANCHEZ 

Joe is a Jiu Jitsu instructor and musician. Joe has been teaching fitness, sports, piano, and guitar at Zia Family Focus Center for more than ten years. He encourages accountability, teamwork and fair play.

DELIA ST.LOUIS

In October of 2000, I discovered that my students both felt and did better in the classroom when I practiced mindfulness and stress reducing  tools with them. I developed these tools and practices for myself over the years, as a way to help me stay focused and grounded. After sharing them with my students, I noticed a big shift in the overall well being of the classroom. Over the years I've tested and refined the practices. Now I teach them to small groups, individual clients, parents and teachers.

ANNELOES VAN BEEK 

Anneloes is an artist, woodworker and educator. She was born in the Netherlands, raised in New England, and is currently working in New Mexico. In 2016, she earned a BFA in Jewelry and Metalsmithing at Massachusetts College of Art & Design. Anneloes has worked professionally as a wood- worker and woodworking instructor for the past seven years.