Meet the SVP Team
South Valley Preparatory School is made up of a passionate and caring group of educators and support staff. Together, we create a supportive environment where students feel seen, valued, and motivated to achieve both academically and personally.
From Our Principal’s Desk:
Welcome to the South Valley Prep Family!
Dear South Valley Prep Community,
It is truly a privilege to be here at South Valley Preparatory School. Since opening our doors in 2010, our mission has remained strong and clear — to create a small, safe, and unique family community where every student is known, valued, and supported.
At SVP, we are dedicated to fostering growth and academic achievement while preparing our students for success in high school and beyond.
We take pride in providing a learning environment that encourages curiosity, confidence, and a sense of belonging. Our staff and teachers are committed to guiding each student on their individual journey, ensuring they develop not only strong academic skills but also the character and resilience needed to thrive in the world ahead.
Here at South Valley Prep, we build bridges, not walls. We believe in the power of connection — between students, families, educators, and our community. Together, we create opportunities for collaboration, understanding, and lasting relationships that empower our students to reach their fullest potential.
Thank you for being part of our SVP family. I look forward to an incredible year of learning, growth, and community.
With gratitude and excitement,
Crystal Avalos
Principal
Crystal Avalos
Executive Director
Ms. Avalos is the executive director here at South Valley Prep. She is in her 13th year in education. She graduated from UNM with a Bachelor's in Elementary Education with an endorsement in TESOL. She received her master's at NMHU with an emphasis in Educational Leadership. She has been an elementary and middle school teacher, a curriculum coordinator, a dual language teacher, an assistant principal, and a principal. She firmly believes that by creating a culture of community, all students are capable of learning, growing, and thriving. Ms.Avalos taught in the South Valley and fell in love with the families and students. She believes SVP truly is the place to be because of the students, families, and staff who are here. She is proud and honored to lead South Valley Prep, where we build bridges, not walls.
Administration Team
Gabe Maldonado
Director of Student Support Services
Gabe Maldonado is a dedicated educational leader with 21 years of experience in middle school education. He maintains a strong focus on student behavior, wellness, and success. As a Dean of Students at the middle school level, Gabe plays a pivotal role in shaping positive school culture through restorative practices, social-emotional learning (SEL), and targeted behavioral support systems. He is passionate about creating equitable and responsive environments where every student has the opportunity to thrive.
Gabe’s leadership extends to understanding charter school operations, directing student success initiatives, coordinating health and wellness meetings, and ensuring that teachers are equipped with effective strategies before escalating disciplinary issues. He emphasizes the importance of proactive support systems and comprehensive training for educators to foster stronger, more empathetic classroom communities.
Ramona Blea
Office Manager
Ms. Mona has dedicated a total of 30 years to Education, including 10 years at SVP as the Office Manager. She loves her Aztec family and all of the students who have come through SVP over the years. Outside of SVP, she enjoys spending time with her actual family, cooking, and gardening.
Faculty and Staff
George Aho
P.E. & Health
My name is George Aho, and I’m proud to be a graduate of the University of New Mexico, where I earned both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees while also playing football for the Lobos. My time at UNM taught me the value of hard work, teamwork, and perseverance—lessons I carry with me every day in my career and life.
I’m passionate about teaching Physical Education, helping students discover the joy of movement, teamwork, and personal growth through sports and physical activity. Seeing my students develop confidence and lifelong fitness habits is what drives me as an educator.
Outside of school, I’m a proud dad to a wonderful daughter and excited to welcome a son on the way. Family and fitness are at the heart of everything I do, and I’m grateful for the chance to inspire others both in the classroom and at home.
Santana Avila
8B Homeroom, Science B Strand
Ms. Avila is a fifth-year teacher at South Valley Prep as the B Strand Science Teacher. She was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Evolutionary Anthropology with minors in Earth and Planetary Sciences and Flamenco Dance from the University of New Mexico. She earned her teaching license in Secondary Education from New Mexico Highlands University.
Ms. Avila has been an organizer in the South Valley and other Albuquerque communities throughout her life and previously worked with the National Institute of Flamenco in educational support and production roles, and in an administrative role with a local civil rights law firm.
Ms. Avila believes that lessons learned in the classroom should shape one’s perspectives and choices outside the school. SVP is a terrific choice for students to gain a real-world perspective and experience through community learning and engagement.
William Bittner
7B Homeroom, Humanities B Strand
Mr. Bittner was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He grew up in the South Valley. Mr. Bittner has attended some excellent schools, including Sandia Prep and the University of New Mexico. Mr. Bittner is passionate about sports, cars, and dogs. His favorite class is his 8th-grade automotive elective, and his favorite times at school are during interactive class discussions. He has taught humanities, reading, and automotive at South Valley Prep for 12 years.
Edward Blea
7A Homeroom, Humanities A Strand
I am Mr. Edward Blea. I was born and raised here in Albuquerque. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Social Studies from UNM and a Master's Degree in Secondary Education from the University of Phoenix. I have endorsements in Social Studies, Science, and Language Arts. I a retired Police Officer from the Albuquerque Police Deparment where I served for 21 years. I am in my 11th year of teaching here at SVP. I like working here because of the family environment. I grew up in the South Valley, so I love giving back to my community. I am married, have two sons, and three grandchildren. I enjoy playing and watching sports, reading comic books, traveling, and watching movies. I also love spending time with my family.
Nora Chavez-de Montano
21st Century Coordinator & Health Assistant
Nora has been working for the school for 12 years as a co-nurse and 21st Century Coordinator, but in total, she has been working for 32 years. Nora’s favorite thing about her job is the community, students, staff, food, and pretty much everything else.
Maria Duarte
Substitute & Reset Room Support
Maria Duarte was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and raised in the South Valley. Her Journey with South Valley Prep began when she joined the school as a Parent Liaison, later transitioning into a substitute teacher role. She now proudly serves as the Front Desk Clerk. Maria's connection to South Valley Prep runs deep- her son attended the school, giving her a long-standing familiarity and appreciation for its close-knit community. She values the small-school environment, where every student is known personally, and relationships extend to their families as well.
To Maria, the staff at South Valley Prep feels like family, with each member bringing their own unique strengths and spirit to the team. Maria believes that the students are what make it all worthwhile, inspiring her every day to contribute to a supportive and welcoming school environment.
Liza Gallegos
Cafeteria Manager
Hello, I am Liza Gallegos. I have been the Cafeteria Manager at South Valley Middle School for 3 years and volunteered for 10 years. I oversee daily cafeteria activities, including menu planning, inventory control, food preparation, and serving. I am dedicated to serving students with healthy, delicious meals in a friendly environment. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family.
Lance Mackey
Special Education Teacher
I'm a special education teacher. I teach myths in folktales that align with 6th- and 7th-grade social studies standards. I graduated Cum Laude at UNM in Secondary Education with a concentration in Social Studies, as well as Magnum Cum Laude in Business Accounting from Northern New Mexico College. I mainly taught social Studies and some math throughout my career. I believe in questioning everything —yourself, your ideas, and your preconceived notions. My teaching style is to have students ask what they have learned and where it's coming from. I think South Valley is a great school if you like small schools and an established community.
Elsa Martinez
6B Homeroom, Math B Strand
Ms. Martinez is the math teacher for the B strand. She attended Artesia High School and then the University of New Mexico. Did her student teaching at La Mesa Elementary School, and has taught at Washington Middle School.
Carmela Montez
6A Homeroom, Math A Strand
Ms. Montez was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She grew up in the Atrisco area of the South Valley. She attended Atrisco Elementary, Ernie Pyle Middle School, and Rio Grande High School. She also attended the University of New Mexico and later transferred to the College of Santa Fe.
She has a BA in Education and endorsements in Bilingual Education, Multicultural Education, and TESOL. She is highly qualified in mathematics, science, and history. At the age of 5, she began dance lessons in ballet folklorico, tap, ballet, and jazz/hip hop. She also plays several instruments, the clarinet, alto and tenor saxophone, bassoon, and French horn. And, she loves musicals!
She is passionate about math and bilingual education. She has taught at Kit Carson Elementary and South Valley Prep. She has been teaching for 31 years! It was always her dream to open a school to serve the young people of the South Valley. In 2009, she and four colleagues from Kit Carson wrote the charter to open South Valley Prep.
Her favorite times at South Valley Prep are getting students prepared for the Holiday Show and taking the 8th grade to Disneyland to participate in the Imagination Campus. My favorite quote is, "You do not have to like math, you just have to be able to do it. And, I don't care if you get it right the first time, I care that you're still in there trying on the 9th and 10th try." SVP Forever!
Isabel Roman
Substitute & Reset Room Support
My Name Is Isabel Roman, and I was born and raised in the South Valley of New Mexico. I have been married for 28 years and am the proud mother of three wonderful daughters. My journey in education began as a volunteer at Los Padillas Elementary School, where I also served as PTA President. When my oldest daughter attended South Valley Prep, I continued volunteering and, soon after, was offered a position as Cafeteria Manager. I later transitioned to working in the front office and the after-school program, and now serve as a substitute teacher. I genuinely love being part of the South Valley prep Community and enjoy supporting our students each day as they learn and grow.
Noma
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Ms. Noma was hired at South Valley Prep in late September. Her educational background includes a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, a Master's in Communication with a Health emphasis, and classwork for certification as a Substitute and ELA/Social Studies classroom teacher. Ms. Noma has taught adults, college, and K-12 students in various New Mexico programs. Ms. Noma is teaching Humanities at South Valley Prep for the 2025-2026 school year.
Proudly Serving Albuquerque, South Valley
Choosing the right middle school matters. At South Valley Preparatory (SVP), we understand that families want more than just academics — they want a place where their child feels safe, supported, and seen.
That’s why SVP offers small classes, caring teachers, and hands-on learning that helps every student grow with confidence. We’re not just preparing students for high school — we’re helping them discover who they are and who they can become.
Visit Our Campus
Come see what makes South Valley Prep special! Meet our teachers, explore our classrooms, and experience the welcoming community that helps every student feel at home.
Frequently Asked Questions