Meet Your GMCS ‘Elementary’ Principals Catherine A. Miller: Joel Copley Joel Copley is beginning his sixth year as principal at Catherine A. Miller Elementary School. Previously, Joel has worked at Kennedy Mid, EDC, and was a principal and teacher in Michigan. Joel said what he loves about being an educator is “working with people every day. Helping students grow, helping teachers grow in their craft” Joel added he his excited about moving more into a digital instruction. “I enjoy the challenge of that,” he said. Joel said that a lot of students are excited to be back in school, “especially those in the building.” Joel encourages students to be confident in asking teachers questions. Joel attended Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As for his hobbies, Joel said, “I like to work on vehicles, I like to hike, run and mountain bike, travel with family. I like to build things as well. Asked what can be found on his music playlist, Joel answered, “Quite a range. Anywhere from political podcasts, definitely some Christian radio, alternative rock from the 90’s.” Chee Dodge Elementary: Sasha Blanco Sasha Blanco is a first-year principal at Chee Dodge Elementary School. Sasha has worked in the district for 16 years, the last two years as an assistant principal at Miyamura High School. Sasha wanted to be an administrator since she saw her mom teach when Sasha was in the 10th grade. Sasha’s message to her students was “This will be the first generation to create an online version for years to come. They’re the start of it. Together, we’re going to make history.” Sasha likes to play adult softball, play soccer on the weekends and to hang out with her family. Sasha’s music playlist will consist of anything from country and oldies to hip hop and rap. Crownpoint Elementary: Leoneil Tulabing Leoneil Tulabing is beginning his second year as principal at Crownpoint Elementary School. Previously, Leo was a former school leader intern at Crownpoint Elementary and Thoreau Elementary, a math teacher at Thoreau Middle School and a secondary math teacher in the Philippines. Leo finished his bachelor’s in 2010 and his master’s degree in 2015 at the Philippine Normal University. “One thing I love about being an educator is having the opportunity to inspire and help students achieve their dreams and guide them to be responsible citizens. It is a special power to mold the future.” And what advice would Leo give his students? “I want to use the quote of Manolis Votsis ‘Success is always a process, never an event.
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Failure is always an event, never a person.’ Do not be afraid to commit mistakes and learn from those mistakes.” Leo’s hobbies include cooking and traveling to different states and countries. His music playlist is a combination of modern rock, pop and country music. David Skeet Elementary: Amanda Clawson Amanda Clawson is beginning her first year as principal at David Skeet Elementary. Last year, Amanda was SLI at Stagecoach and Red Rock Elementary and taught at Ramah Elementary for 10 years. Amanda started her teaching career at Espanola. Amanda said what she loves about being an educator is “the students. That’s what makes it worth it for me.” Amanda wants her students to know they “are strong, they are resilient, they can bounce back from hard things and they can do hard things.” Amanda is an avid reader and also enjoys watching movies and spending time with her family. Amanda said her music playlist will include “everything. This morning I was listening to early 2000’s rap and then I switched to 70’s pop rock. Depends on the mood I guess.” Del Norte Elementary: Richy Ferguson Richy Ferguson begins his second year as principal at Del Norte Elementary School. Previously, Richy worked for five years at Stagecoach Elementary, was a principal at Roosevelt Elementary for 14 years and worked at Central Office for three years and was the principal at Gallup Mid School for two years. Richy received his bachelor’s at the University of New Mexico and his master’s at Western New Mexico. In his spare time, Richy likes to work on cars and likes to attend community and sporting activities. Richy’s music playlist includes a variety of music. Indian Hills Elementary: Randy Crisler Randy Crisler begins his third year as principal at Indian Hills Elementary. Previously, Randy was a principal in the city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Crisler said what he loves as a principal is “being able to go into the classrooms, see all grade levels and students. Seeing the kids and being with them. Helping out and supporting the teachers.” Randy said things are going pretty well this year and he was “impressed with the drive our teachers have with figuring out the technology. I’ve been very pleased with how things have been going.” On advising his students about this year, Randy said, “To just to be in constant contact with their teachers. The communication piece is going to be more important. Ask questions and be engaged.” Randy earned his undergrad at the University of Arizona in Tucson and his first graduate school was at American University in Cairo, Egypt. Randy earned his
