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    • Home
    • About
      • Mission and Vision
      • Leadership
      • RioGAFA Team
      • Our Founders
      • What is a Charter School?
      • All means All
    • Program
      • Arts Integration
      • Academics
      • The Arts
      • Bell Schedule
      • School Calendar
      • Bus Schedule
      • Food Menus
    • Community
      • Governing Board
      • Partners/Donors
      • Celebration of the Arts
      • Careers
      • Title IX
      • Privacy Policy
    • GIVE
    • Contact
    • LOTTERY
  • Home
  • About
    • Mission and Vision
    • Leadership
    • RioGAFA Team
    • Our Founders
    • What is a Charter School?
    • All means All
  • Program
    • Arts Integration
    • Academics
    • The Arts
    • Bell Schedule
    • School Calendar
    • Bus Schedule
    • Food Menus
  • Community
    • Governing Board
    • Partners/Donors
    • Celebration of the Arts
    • Careers
    • Title IX
    • Privacy Policy
  • GIVE
  • Contact
  • LOTTERY

Desert DraGONS Directors

Co-Founders and Co-Directors

Michele Platis and Jordan Franco know that a strong team, dedicated to RioGAFA's mission and vision, are essential to student success at Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts. They are honored to lead the RioGAFA Team! 


Go Desert Dragons!


Contact at:

Jordan Franco jordan.franco@riograndeacademyoffinearts.com

Michele Platis michele.platis@riograndeacademyoffinearts.com


RioGAFA Team

General Information

1401 Old Coors Dr. 

Albuquerque, NM 87114


505-361-1838

Administration Support and Admissions

Cynthia Lopez, Office Manager and Admissions

Iliana Damas, Front Office Receptionist

Leadership and Instruction

Emily Flores, Middle School Instructional Coach

Jacque Peña, Elementary Instructional Coach 

Teachers

Erika Adams, Gifted, Interventions

Liz Apicelli, 2nd Grade

Ashley Costello, Special Education

Michael Gardner, 1st Grade

Elera Geonzon, 3rd Grade and Special Education

Lourdes Gonzalez, 7th Grade Sci-Matics

Mayra Gonzales, Ed Fellow

Alexander Graham, 8th Grade Sci-Matics

Julian Gunther, 7th Grade Social Studies

Aide Herrera, K and 1st Ed Fellow

Paula Lopez, Elementary PE/Science

Beth Marquez, Kindergarten

Danielle Lopez, 6th Grade Math Ed Fellow

Leo Perez, 8th Grade Humanities

Ashley Phillips, 2nd Grade

Becky Richert, Elementary Theater and Fine Arts Coordinator

Ciara Sanchez, 3rd Grade

Chuck Scales, 6th Grade Science Ed Fellow

Eric van Dyck, 7th Grade English Language Arts, Special Education

Paula Vanderhee, Kindergarten. 1st Grade Intern

Jennifer Villicana, 6th Grade Humanities

Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts

1401 Old Coors Rd SW

Copyright © 2025 Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts - All Rights Reserved.

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25-26 Lottery Now Open

The RioGAFA lottery is now open. We are accepting lottery applications.

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