Staff Directory

Mrs. Buck grew up watching Bob Ross on PBS and has loved art in all its forms for as long as she can remember. She graduated from the University of New Mexico with her BA in Architecture. Her first job out of college involved granting funding and inspecting battered women’s shelters throughout the state of New Mexico for the NMFA. Although fulfilling, this work lacked a creative outlet which ultimately led to Mrs. Buck starting her own business. She has had the opportunity to work as an independent designer, a product consultant and is a published
product marketing designer for various companies in the paper crafting industry. However, her greatest joy and a constant source of opportunity for growth remains her family; her husband, Travis, and five children. Mrs. Buck loves sharing her passion for art and hopes to have many “happy accidents” while working with her students in the classroom.

Mrs. Burns loves being part of the EVCA family! She received her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Eastern New Mexico University and began teaching just a few weeks after
graduation. Originally from Gallup, New Mexico, Mrs. Burns moved to Edgewood in 2012, after she got married, and lives here happily with her husband, son, and corgi/border collie pup. This is her eighth year teaching and her third year at EVCA. She is also loves being able to call EVCA her home, alongside her son, who also attends school here. Mrs. Burns looks forward to having a great school year, with her students, and the rest of the EVCA community!

Ms. Carlisle was born at Myrtle Beach Airforce Base but spent all but the first few years of her life in Minnesota.  As a junior or senior in high school, she was given the opportunity to be a “hugger” at the Special Olympics.  She instantly knew she wanted to work with children with special needs. She received a music scholarship for her first two years of college at a private Lutheran College in Minnesota. Taking a year off turned into a 12-year career in corporate America. She finally did return and completed her BS degree and obtained her special ed teaching license in Emotional and Behavior Disorders from St. Cloud State University, Minnesota in 2000. Ms. Carlisle then went on to get her master’s in education from St. Mary’s University, Minnesota. She taught for six years in Minnesota before moving to New Mexico 13 years ago. She has lived in the East Mountains for ten years with her other half, Scott, who plays music as a solo, duet and with his band. Between the two of them, they have seven adult children, ten grandchildren and two horses. In her spare time, Ms. Carlisle has her own business making custom quilts and she is trying to learn how to garden at 7000 feet! She enjoys hearing Scott play his music out and about, hunting, fishing, their horses, reading and of course—she loves to quilt.  Prior to coming to be part of EVCA Ms. Carlisle was a special education teacher at Bernalillo High School for ten and a half years. She is thrilled to have finally found a place she can call home with EVCA.

Shadra Carpenter is new to EVCA this year as an EA for Mrs. Duke’s kindergarten class. Her family and herself are fairly new to the East Mountains having been here only 2 years. They moved here from Arlington, TN after her husband retired from the Navy. He now works for the Department of Energy which is what brought them to NM. Together they homeschooled their 3 children through Covid before they started attending EVCA last year. Their daughter Kendall is in 7th grade, son Cash is in 6th and son Quinn is in 2nd.

Mrs. Caton is happy to welcome another new year being a member of the EVCA family! She was born and raised locally, moved away to Albuquerque for a few years before returning to the east mountains one handsome husband and two beautiful children richer. She has a degree in Early Childhood Education and a degree in Pre-Health Sciences with a concentration in Exercise Science. In March 2023 she started to attend night classes to obtain her massage therapy license at the Albuquerque School of Healing Arts. Even in her very busy life, quality time with her family is her daily priority that she treasures above anything else.

Mrs. Chavez is the EVCA Registrar and the woman of many hats.  She has always enjoyed the students and welcoming them each morning is a great way to start her day. Mrs. Chavez has three wonderful children. In her free time, she can be found enjoying her children and their many adventures. She has a son who is an awesome baseball player, Devon, who received a great honor of playing for the American Team in the Dominican Republic. Madelynn is a great dancer and also likes to compete in rodeo. The baby is the best cheerleader and snack eater they can ask for. Mrs. Chavez and her husband love living their on-the-go life of supporting their kids in all they do.

Mr. Chavez joined EVCA in 2022 as the school Disciplinarian with an extensive background in Corrections. He has lived in Moriarty his entire life and has been married to his high school sweetheart for 23 years. Together they have three children. His oldest daughter attends NMSU and works as an associate broker for a realty group in Las Cruces. His son recently graduated MHS and his youngest daughter is a sophomore at MHS. He enjoys spending time with his family, shooting, 4 wheeling and listening to music.

Mrs. Chavez is the EVCA Registrar and the woman of many hats.  She has always enjoyed the students and welcoming them each morning is a great way to start her day. Mrs. Chavez has three wonderful children. In her free time, she can be found enjoying her children and their many adventures. She has a son who is an awesome baseball player, Devon, who received a great honor of playing for the American Team in the Dominican Republic. Madelynn is a great dancer and also likes to compete in rodeo. The baby is the best cheerleader and snack eater they can ask for. Mrs. Chavez and her husband love living their on-the-go life of supporting their kids in all they do.

Ms. Cruz is very excited to continue teaching first grade. This is her eighth-year teaching at EVCA. She earned her B.A. in business administration from Anderson School of Management. Fueled by her love for children she returned to school to become a teacher. She has two wonderful children. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, spending time outdoors, scrapbooking, and attending functions at her church.

Mr. Daugherty enters his second year of teaching and feels proud to be a part of the EVCA community. This year, Mr. Daugherty will continue to teach middle school American History and has added Art History to the schedule. Mr. Daugherty will be continuing his Master in the Arts of Teaching degree through Western New Mexico University.