Meet the Language Department
David Lucil, 6th and 7th Grade Spanish Teacher
david.lucil@cottonwoodclassical.org
Madeline Alford, Exploring Spanish and Spanish 1 Teacher; Department Chair
madeline.alford@cottonwoodclassical.org
Ms. Alford teaches Exploring Spanish (Spanish 6/7) and Spanish I. She has her BA in Secondary Education, Spanish, and TESOL from the University of New Mexico. She also has her MA in Foreign Language Teaching from Michigan State University. Ms. Alford loves to travel! She has traveled to 42 countries and counting… including study abroad programs in Quito, Ecuador and Cusco, Peru. In her free time, she teaches competitive Irish dance here in Albuquerque!
Dr. Kappy Riker, Spanish 3 and Heritage 2 Teacher
kappy.riker@cottonwoodclassical.org
¡Hola! Dr. Kappy Riker has been teaching at CCPS for twelve years! She has taught a range of classes during her tenure here, and is currently teaching Spanish 3 and Heritage 2. She loves teaching and has taught in a variety of settings, including universities, colleges, public, private, and charter schools. She is grateful for our wonderful students here at Cottonwood! Over the years she has lived in Mexico, Spain, Argentina, and Guatemala. She loves learning about new cultures and interacting with people. In her spare time, she really enjoys biking on the Bosque trails, walking, swimming, reading, and gardening.
Mr. Mike Ziemniak, Exploring French and IB French
michael.ziemniak@cottonwoodclassical.org
Mike Ziemniak is the teacher of Exploring French and IB French Ab Initio 1 & 2 at CCPS. He learned French while living in Geneva, Switzerland, and has experience teaching in Missouri, Colorado, and most recently, Abu Dhabi, UAE. He enjoys travel, skiing, hiking, and spending time with his dog, Clover. His classroom philosophy is centered on communicative language usage and input-heavy lessons. He aims to foster a lifelong love of language learning and cultural understanding in his students.
Marcia Elliot, Spanish Teacher
marcia.elliott@cottonwoodclassical.org
Mrs. Elliot is an educator with over 20 years of experience working with students in Chile, Arizona, and New Mexico. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in English Language and Literature in Education from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso in Chile. Mrs. Vera later earned her Master’s in Gender and Cultural Studies from Universidad de Chile. She enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, practicing yoga, and reading in her free time. Mrs. Vera is passionate about teaching languages and culture; it is her first year at CCPS.
Ms. Melissa Torres, Spanish 2 and IB Spanish Teacher; ELL Coordinator
melissa.torres@cottonwoodclassical.org
Melissa Torres is in her 22nd year of teaching Spanish. She is originally from Nebraska, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Spanish Education. She completed a Master’s degree at the University of New Mexico in Language, Literacy, and Sociocultural Studies. Melissa has studied abroad at El Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey, in Queretaro, Mexico and at the University of Salamanca, in Salamanca, Spain. She has taught in Nebraska and New Mexico, both in public and private schools. Melissa currently teaches Spanish II, IB Spanish B Year 1, and is the ELL Coordinator. She enjoys outdoor activities, reading, Nebraska football, and spending time with her husband, two children, and dog.
Russel Friedman, IB Spanish Teacher
