Meet the English Department
Amber Curtis-Trudell, 6th Grade English Teacher
amber.curtis-trudell@cottonwoodclassical.org
Andrea Lopez, 6th and 7th Grade English Language Arts; Director of Special Education
andrea.lopez@cottonwoodclassical.org
Andrea Lopez is a proud Cuban American who is native to Albuquerque, NM. After graduating from New Mexico Highlands University with her Bachelor’s Degrees in both Elementary Education and Special Education with a Gifted Endorsement, Andrea began her career as an educator in 2013. For the past 6 years, she has been the Director of Special Education at Cottonwood Classical. In addition to her position as Special Education Director, she is also the Assistant District Testing Coordinator, a Certified Instructor for CPI, a founding member of the CCPS Equity Council, and she teaches 6th and 7th grade English Language Arts. She is also a proud single mother to a very vibrant and precocious little girl named Vienna. Over her years at CCPS and has grown both as a person and a teacher. Her goal is to be a life long learner and never forget the words of Socrates who said; “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.”
Angelique Rodriguez, 7th Grade English Teacher
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 animals. She truly enjoys working with students, and believes they each bring something special to the table.
Keith Burnstein, 8th Grade English Teacher – Department Chair
keith.burnstein@cottonwoodclassical.org
Keith Burnstein is an educator, musician, and film composer with 20 years of classroom experience in K-8 settings. He started his career as a general music teacher at P.S. 305 in Brooklyn, NY, and later ran The Project Arts Program for his district. Since then, he has taught Middle School Science and Humanities in New Orleans, Louisiana, and received extensive training at the Paideia Institute in Asheville, NC. Most recently, Mr. Burnstein was the IB Coordinator and Assistant Principal at Kehoe-France School in Metairie, LA where he ran the school’s MYP Program from 2020-2023. Keith is thrilled to be back in the classroom (where the magic happens) teaching 8th Grade English.
Lauren Farmer, 12th Grade English Teacher
lauren.farmer@cottonwoodclassical.org
Alexandria Ross, 11th Grade English Teacher
a.ross@cottonwoodclassical.org
Alexandria Ross graduated from CCPS in 2017 and is an IB Diploma recipient. They hold a BA in English Literature from Clark University, and an MFA in creative writing from Eastern Washington University. Professor Ross loves teaching English as a way to explore what it means to be human throughout time and space.