Administration and Staff
Head Administrator/7th grade ELA teacher, Mark Forman
Mark is entering his 13th year of service in K-12 public education. He is a Teach for America alum and spent the first three years of his career teaching ELA to 7th- and 8th-graders at an all boys charter school in inner city Wilmington, DE, leading his students to exemplary achievement each year. He next served for one year as a middle school assistant principal for a high-performing International Baccalaureate (IB) charter school network in the Dallas-Ft. Worth region before becoming a founding high school principal within the same network, where he served for four years and led the school to an "A" rating from the state. Mark next transitioned to a high school principal role at a high-performing charter network in New York City.
Mark was drawn to New Mexico when he learned about the high need for quality educational support in the state and is now entering his fourth year here. He supported elementary and middle schools in a number of roles in the state prior to coming to CVCS.
Knowing how much Cottonwood Valley Charter School values high educational outcomes, global mindedness, and a well-rounded approach to supporting children, Mark was thrilled to learn of the administrator opening and is looking forward to working with the outstanding team here at CVCS to build upon their fantastic work so far!
Mark is a native of Los Angeles and a graduate of the University of Washington (B.A. English, B.S. Psychology, Master in Teaching) and Wilmington University (M. Ed. School Leadership). Outside of work, Mark enjoys traveling (he can proudly affirm that he's been to all 50 states), hiking, running, reading literature, spending time with family and friends, and experiencing the intense emotional ups and downs that come with being a fan of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Custodian, Rocio Gonzales
Rocio has been a part of the Cottonwood Valley family since 2009. She loves traveling and spending time with family and friends.
School Social Worker, Frances Fuller
I am a Warrior at heart and proud to be part of the Socorro community. I grew up in Albuquerque but have been working in Socorro schools since 2019 and have fallen in love with the community and the incredible people here. I have always been amazed at how many people are trying to do amazing things to help our community heal and grow, and I’m thankful to be a part of that. My family moved to Socorro in 2022 and we are thankful to be home.
I graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work from ENMU in 2012. Socorro reminds me of Portales, one of my favorite places full of the most amazing memories. After graduating, I began working for CYFD. I completed my Master of Social Work degree at WNMU in 2015 and was able to transition into school social work and clinical social work. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Level 3 School Social Worker. I have worked with pre-k through high school students and their families during my 7 years as a school social worker and I am passionate about doing this work the best way possible. I care deeply about teacher wellness and believe this is central to effective SEL practices in schools.
I have been blessed to receive clinical training from incredible mentors, which has allowed me to build skills in a variety of therapy modalities including Trauma-Focused CBT, Cognitive Behavioral therapy, sand tray therapy, EMDR, and more. I am also an Adjunct Instructor for Fordham University’s Online MSW Program, where I currently teach a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy course.
I have enjoyed intermittent experiences at CVCS up to this point including providing ancillary services over the last 4 years and SEL support during the Spring 2023 semester, but I am very thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the team full time and am looking forward to doing wonderful things together.