Staff

LPSASA Staff

Erin Manzanares, Director/Lead Teacher

Anita Benson, Instructional Partner

Sue Parker, Music & Piano

Suzanna Snow, Yoga

Erin D. Manzanares, Director/Lead Teacher

As the Founder of La Puerta, Erin is thrilled to be able to create, in partnership with other school personnel, students, families and community members, a learning environment filled with possibility! All of her experiences—from her training in theatre, traveling the world, passion for teaching and learning, to raising three very active young come alive in the classroom. She would like to acknowledge her family for their gracious support and selfless giving to make La Puerta a reality. Erin was recently honored by her alma mater, Walden University, as a Scholar for Change grand prize winner.

Anita Benson, Instructional Partner

Anita Benson was born in Abiquiu, New Mexico. Anita, along with her three siblings, were home schooled on their farm. The mainstays of her educational experience were language arts and farm-work. She also traveled abroad each year. In this way she learned to speak Spanish and about many other cultures. Her education was student-centered and directed. Upon leaving home she moved to Chicago and earned a certificate in teaching English as a second language. From her first day in the classroom, teaching became her fuel. She has been teaching and going to school ever since. She recently returned to New Mexico to live on the farm where she was born and to follow other passions such as gardening, mountain-biking and camping. Since her return back home, she has taught children in Northern New Mexican communities with great enthusiasm and has recently earned her New Mexico Level I K-8 Teaching License. Anita is extremely excited to be able to participate in the formation of the La Puerta community.