Meet the English Department
Amber Curtis-Trudell, 6th Grade English Teacher
amber.curtis-trudell@cottonwoodclassical.org
Mrs. Angelique Rodriguez, 7th Grade English Teacher; Middle School Girls Basketball and Track & Field Coach
angelique.rodriguez@cottonwoodclassical.org
Angelique Rodriguez, is the 7th Grade English Teacher. Along with being a teacher, she also coaches middle school girls basketball and middle school track & field. She loves sports, good music, and watching the seasons change. She truly enjoys working with students, and believes they each bring something special to the table.
Shannon Beyer, 8th Grade English Teacher
shannon.beyer@cottonwoodclassical.org
Dr. Denise Gianopoulos, 9th Grade English Teacher
d.gianopoulos@cottonwoodclassical.org
Mrs. “Dr. G.” Gianopoulos is a veteran instructor at Cottonwood, first teaching history, then teaching IB Literature, and now teaching the English 9 course. She’s thrilled at our new 21st century campus expansion to bring our facility in line with our 21st century IB-prep curriculum – where we can continue the important CCPS mission of “educating the whole child for the whole world.” Outside of school, Dr. G. loves spending time with her family and tending to her cat Meli.
Mx. Erik Gamlem, 10th Grade English Teacher; English Department Chair
erik.gamlem@cottonwoodclassical.org
Along with calm surroundings and a cool, brisk wind on an overcast day, Mx. Gamlem enjoys the company of cats and eating pizza.
Mrs. Heather Blanchard, 11th Grade English Teacher
heather.blanchard@cottonwoodclassical.org
Mrs. Blanchard has been teaching middle and high school English since 1996, and she currently teaches 11th grade English, IB Literature year one. Her favorite books to teach are the ones that make you think differently by the end–bonus if they are weird or creepy! In addition to reading and writing and talking about cool books, Ms. Blanchard enjoys playing with yarn and fabric in her Craftivism Fiber Craft Club, snuggling with her dogs, and exploring new restaurants with her spouse. Although originally from Pennsylvania, she loves living in New Mexico and especially teaching at CCPS.