We are excited to work with your scholars during their 8th-grade academic year. This year is all about preparation for High School, not only academically but also in helping them develop other skills needed to succeed. Our scholars will soon be choosing their pathway and deciding whether Engineering or Biomedical Sciences is where their passion lies. It is our goal to be certain they choose with confidence and excitement.
We look forward to working with our 8th-grade scholars and their families.
Meet Catherine Noble
My name is Catherine Noble. I am your scholar’s manager for Media Lit Manager this school year! I enjoy outdoor activities and weightlifting in my free time! I enjoy watching the NFL and am a huge Dallas Cowboys fan (I know what you’re thinking, I know they’re not so great…). I am looking forward to getting to know all of you in the near future!
Meet Bonnie Smith
Hello and welcome to The Ask Academy 2022-2023 school year! My name is Bonnie Smith. I was born and raised in Albuquerque and am a graduate of UNM. I have two kids, my son is 21 years old and is going to college at the University of Kentucky. My daughter is 19 years old and going to college at the University of New Mexico. We have our dog, Duke, and 3 cats. I love to travel, hike, ski, go to the mountains, and do yoga. This is my 8th year teaching at The Ask Academy. This year I am happy to be teaching 8th grade Social Studies, which is the study of US History.
Meet Janisse Vázquez
I am the Art and Technology Manager. Since High School, I have been an artist. My favorite media are acrylic paints, glass tiles, and oil pastels. I was privileged to show my art in 2015 and 2018. The great thing about art is that while not everyone is an artist, everyone can create, which is what I hope to do with our scholars.
Meet Samantha Vollmar
I am the ELA project manager for the 8th grade. I am very excited to start my third year at The ASK Academy and my tenth year of teaching. I am lucky to have three young children, who I love dearly. In my free time, I love to read, hike, and travel.
Meet Steven Cole
Hello. I am, foremost, a father of four. As such, I really appreciate the opportunity to work with our scholars, and I do not take that opportunity lightly.
Meet Kim Pierce
I am the Mathematics 8 Manager this year. This is my 8th year at The ASK Academy and my 18th year teaching in New Mexico. In my free time, I enjoy gardening, playing role-playing games, and reading manga. I have been learning Japanese culture and language for about five years. I look forward to helping the 8th grade scholars strengthen their math skills to prepare for taking Algebra in the future.
Meet Kim Ayres
I am the 8th grade project manager for Robotics and excited for my 3rd year at ASK! This is my 15th year in education. I have taught both general education and Gifted in elementary school and co-founded my previous school's Robotics Club. I am a National Board Certified Teacher and am on the Executive Board of the New Mexico Association for the Gifted. Outside of school, I enjoy hiking and camping with my family, and hot air ballooning.
Meet Les Miller
To all scholars Welcome to the Shark Tank!!!
My name is Mr. Miller.
I grew up in New Jersey
I played Ice Hockey and ran Track in High School.
I was in the USAF for 6 years.
I was an Aircraft Mechanic and Combat Controller.
I worked for many companies before becoming a teacher.
I graduated from UNM.
I have been a teacher for 26 years.
I have 2 kids an 22 year old boy, and an 12 year old girl.
My last gig was at Cibola High School where I taught Algebra 2, Statistics, and Transitions to College Math.
I am very pumped about working with you, you are going to learn soooo much.
Why Sharks? They are probably the most mathematically correct life form.
