Reimagining Rigor: Lessons from a Nebraska Highway
By Chip Miller, Upper School Division Head
A few years ago, I was lucky enough to hear a story on National Public Radio about a man named Paul Torrence. I was driving through Nebraska at the time, and there are few places more conducive to listening while driving. The story just washed over me. Paul Torrence had decided to study something he called “Creative Intelligence.” The Creative IQ he developed was intentionally set in contrast to the more standard IQ, or Intelligence Quotient, that we have emphasized for far too long. There were interviews with people Torrence had studied in the mid-twentieth century, and there were interviews with others who had worked with those people. As it turned out, the people whom Torrence identified as having a high degree of creative intelligence were extremely successful professionally. More importantly, they identified themselves — and were identified by others around them — as extremely happy. A review of those who scored well on the standard IQ test did not effectively predict either professional success or happiness.
There I was, virtually alone in a sea of corn, realizing that I had spent decades as a teacher looking for the wrong things. I had been teaching the wrong lessons, emphasizing the wrong traits, measuring the wrong outcomes.
Torrence made a clear distinction between what he called “divergent thinking” and “convergent thinking.” Convergent thinking, so often emphasized in a traditional education, looks for the correct answer, the one answer, the “right” answer. Convergent thinking lends itself to standardized tests. In many ways, it is easier for a teacher to emphasize convergent thinking in a classroom. It is easy to measure. It is easy to design and grade tests when we are looking for a single correct answer. There is also something to be said for the fact that teachers can feel better about themselves, about their own intelligence, when they are the owner and arbiter of the one true answer.
Divergent thinking, on the other hand, embraces a wide range of answers to specific questions. It embraces complexity. The goal is not to narrow thinking or to limit possibilities, but rather to broaden our understanding. Divergent thinking fosters innovative approaches to new and unexpected situations. It emphasizes adaptability. Divergent thinking also creates space in which students are allowed to be smarter than their teachers. When we talk about things like growth mindset, critical thinking, or student agency, we are talking about divergent thinking.
Morning Meeting: An Opportunity for Authentic Student Leadership in the Middle School
By Jeff Snyder, Middle School Division Head
One of the wonderful things about being new in any school, especially as a school leader, is the initial time window in which one can ask many “what” and “why” questions (without judgment) about everything from day-to-day logistics to long-standing traditions or larger philosophical approaches. As my excitement grew for my official start this past summer, I reached out to all of our middle school staffulty to schedule time to get to know them and hear what they value most about Bosque School. After starting on July 1, I was able to pack my first three weeks with individual meetings with each Bosque Middle School staffulty member. During this time, I learned so much about our exceptional community while also hearing many hopes for the future.
All that I had already come to understand about our amazing school from the interview process was affirmed and broadened:
- Our teachers are highly relational and prioritize creating safe and inclusive learning environments so each student can discover and become the very best version of themselves.
- Students regularly experience meaningful and authentic learning opportunities centered in inquiry and grounded in connection to place, whether in people and cultures from the past and present or in the natural environment of New Mexico.
- Students have so many opportunities to find and foster their passions across disciplines and sometimes disparate interests without judgment and with total support from our staffulty and their peers.
As expected, some themes emerged around what is most important to our community and also what might be improved to provide an even more meaningful experience for our students. One consistent theme that piqued my interest centered on one of our principal routines — Morning Meeting. I heard it over and over again and began to see for myself the importance of grounding us each day in a sense of community and connection, as a reminder that we all — students and adults — contribute to something greater than ourselves. Many of our staffulty commented that the Middle School Morning Meeting has historically centered on adults presenting to students on a variety of topics and school-related expectations. In reflecting on this notion, I began to have a vision for capitalizing on this growth edge as a way to deepen our ability to provide more meaningful and authentic leadership opportunities for our students.
Performing Arts Department Spotlight: Excellence has Many Faces
There is no better term than “spotlight” to showcase the Bosque School Performing Arts Department, which is unique in that its members are all professionals in their fields and nearly all continue to perform professionally outside of school. They are among the busiest and most intricately scheduled people you will ever meet.
In a discussion of their own arts education, professional history, and the factors that most influence their teaching, everyone in the department identified a passion for their specialty at a fairly young age and expressed gratitude for remarkable mentors and sometimes unexpected career opportunities. When reflecting on their teaching life at Bosque School and the value of the arts to our students, they agree that the magic of the performing arts lies in being part of something larger than oneself, creating something beautiful that cannot be done alone.
Department Leader and Band Director, Aaron Morales, has been at Bosque School since 2019. Since high school, percussion has been his passion. As a college student teaching in a high school band program, he had the opportunity to take a percussion ensemble to a prestigious music festival in Indianapolis. That event inspired his ambition to become a high school band director of the highest caliber and to incorporate percussion into the band experience in a significant way. He is proud of how each member of his department functions independently to create a strong program. They share a truly progressive philosophy, focusing on growth and improvement, with the end result being great performances. He stays musically active by auditioning and performing with local groups and by recording his own music. One day, he would like to release his music through a streaming platform like YouTube. He acknowledged, as did every department member, that sustaining a performing career alongside teaching isn’t easy. A previous job directing an intense marching band left him no time for professional play. He is grateful to his colleague, Nicolle Maniaci, for encouraging him to find time to work on his own music.
Director of String Ensemble, Nicolle Maniaci, might be the epitome of the dual roles of teacher/performer. She has been a professional violinist since her teens, when she began teaching violin at the Albuquerque Symphony Program, where she had studied since age 11. Ms. Maniaci had numerous influential mentors, including James Bonnell and Dale Kempter. Kathleen Hill, her orchestra teacher at Cibola High School, was also a big inspiration. Passionate about student-led education, Ms. Hill inspired Ms. Maniaci to teach others to love both music and the process of learning music in an ensemble.
Fall Performances - The Music of Life
In 1976, long before our current Bosque School thespians, musicians and singers were born, the great singer-songwriter Neil Diamond released a hit song that includes the lines, “It's a beautiful noise / It's a sound that I love / Made of joy and of strife / Like a symphony played / By the passing parade / It's the music of life.” Those lyrics capture the beautiful energy of this fall’s performances. On September 26, the actors took the stage in the Black Box Theater for the student-directed one-act festival. An overflowing crowd enjoyed four plays. The first was “The Sea Wraith,” written and directed by Hannah O. (‘27), with a large cast enacting the passionate quest of a sea captain for a mysterious, interdimensional monster — shades of “Moby Dick,” with wonderfully expressive stage management by Tac (‘27). Kyra (‘27) directed a classic Turkish play, “Hürmüz with Seven Husbands,” a comic, twisty story about a woman who keeps marrying men for convenience…until she actually falls in love. Stage Manager, Linna (‘27), kept the stage full of movement and complex sequences as the plot thickened into absurdity. Abby (‘27) upped the antic factor by directing “Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind,” a series of improvisational sketches, determined by the audience's votes. Her stage manager was Sebastian J. (‘27), who, like everyone in the cast, had to be nimble as they leaped from one sketch to the next. The final play, “A Stitch Here or There,” was directed by Julius (‘26) and stage-managed by Lauren L. (‘26). Pairs of sock puppets did all the talking in this surreal tragedy; you’ll never look at your sock drawer the same way again.
We are very excited to welcome our community back to campus for Bosque School’s annual It Takes a Village Day on Tuesday, November 25, from 8–11 am.
We all know that it takes a village to raise a child, so we are extending the invitation to all of the significant adults — parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, godparents, coaches, former teachers, etc. — who have helped support, encourage, and nurture our students in their success and development.
Please join us for a morning of community, connection, and gratitude. Register below and mark your calendars to save the date. We can’t wait to see you all then! If you have any questions, please reach out to philanthropy@bosqueschool.org.
Dear Bosque School Community,
While this year’s Fall Fiesta didn’t unfold as we had hoped, it was still a powerful reminder of what makes this community so special. Just thirty minutes into the evening, lightning required us to shelter in place, and soon after, heavy rain led us to make the difficult decision to cancel the event.
What could have been a moment of disappointment instead became a moment of gratitude. We watched as families, students, volunteers, and guests responded with patience, kindness, and care for one another. At its core, Fall Fiesta has always been about community, and though we missed the traditional revelry under the cottonwoods, we were lucky to witness that spirit in action.
We are grateful to share that, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, Fall Fiesta raised $44,500 in support of the Bosque Fund before the first raindrop even fell. These contributions directly support our students, programs, and mission, and we are so thankful for this investment in our school.
Save the Date: GivingTuesday – December 2
On Tuesday, December 2, Bosque School will join a global movement of generosity and connection—GivingTuesday. Your support of the Bosque Fund fuels collective impact right here in our community, helping our students and teachers thrive with courage, curiosity, and compassion.
This year, your gift will go even further thanks to a $25,000 matching challenge that doubles every dollar you give.
Mark your calendar and be part of Collective Impact. Limitless Possibilities.
For information about supporting Bosque School and opportunities for support, please contact Valery Galanter (valery.galanter@bosqueschool.org).
Bosque Alum Thrives at Vassar
We were excited to welcome Bosque School alum Lelia Yane ‘25 back to campus recently! While she was here, she worked with students in our field science and wildlife classes and spent some time creating a mask for the upcoming Mainstage production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Lelia is thriving at Vassar College, where she is majoring in biology and considering a minor in art — two subjects that were both very important to her while she was a student at Bosque School.
Now that she’s at Vassar, Lelia works as an environmental research assistant, tracking deer populations, studying plant growth, and analyzing wildlife camera data at the college’s nature preserve. She was excited to be back on the Bosque School campus and feels that Bosque School’s field science and wildlife science programs really helped prepare her for college — one Vassar senior even told Lelia that she had done more fieldwork as a Bosque School student than many students do throughout college.
When she’s not studying or working, Lelia rows on the college team and continues to pursue her art. Her advice for Bosque School students as they move on to college is to take chances, talk to your professors, and stay curious!
Tommy Cummins ’08 Returns to Campus
We were excited to welcome Tommy Cummins ’08, a founding member of Bosque School’s Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), back to campus! Tommy met with current MRC students to share his journey since graduating from Bosque School, including his service in the United States Army and how his early experiences with MRC helped shape his path and purpose.
Sixth-Graders Take Charge of the Bosque
Middle school science teacher Trista Fussner is leading 6th-grade participation in the Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Program (BEMP). Housed at the University of New Mexico (UNM), the BEMP program monitors 32 sites along the Rio Grande to assess the health of our river ecosystems. A New Mexico native, Ms. Fussner brings broad experience to her new role, including fieldwork in New Mexico, studying the effects of prescribed burns on flora and fauna, as well as a project in which she conducted stable-isotope analysis of snails. Her science background includes a master’s degree in zoology and previous work at the Denver Zoo.
Two of the BEMP sites, the Montano and Savannah sites, are located directly behind Bosque School. Due to changes in UNM’s personnel availability, our students have been made entirely responsible for the Savannah site, which is a short-grass prairie currently overrun by the invasive Russian Olive. Because Albuquerque Open Space would like to do some restoration work in the area, our students can make a real impact on their management decisions. Our 6th-graders are now in charge of collecting data on groundwater levels and precipitation. They are also quantifying the types of vegetation at the sites by collecting leaf litter samples in tubs, then drying and processing them in our science classroom. Processing the leaves involves weighing, sorting, classifying, and making histogram charts of tree type and location.
Sasha Custer: NMAEA High School Art Teacher of the Year
Recently, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a proclamation designating the 2025-2026 school year the "New Mexico Year of the Arts in Education." This was a wonderful affirmation of the work that the New Mexico Arts Education Association ( NMAEA) does to promote access to arts education in the state.
This year, we are proud to announce that Bosque School’s own Visual Arts Department Leader, Sasha Custer, was named “High School Art Teacher of the Year” at the NMAEA October 18 ceremony in Santa Fe. Ms. Custer will also receive national recognition in March 2026 at the National Art Education Association’s conference in Chicago. The NMAEA annual awards honor those whose exemplary classroom practices and/or community contributions in the field of visual or media arts deserve recognition. The competition involves a long process of nomination, letters of recommendation from colleagues and supervisors, supporting testimonials from former students, and a resume and personal statement.
Head of School Jessie Barrie shared the news with the community earlier this month, saying, “Ms. Custer is not only a masterful student connector, educator, and practicing artist, but also a generous collaborator and visionary leader in the field of arts education. She develops deep and sustained connections with her students, inspires them to push themselves far beyond the scope of what they think might initially be possible, and is a brilliant colleague and department leader.” Although she appreciates the recognition, at the end of the day, what matters to Ms. Custer is that she is a facilitator — a guide in the process by which students make beautiful things that reflect their identities, questions, and passions. As she said in her acceptance video, “Working with my students truly illuminates the beauty, power, and potential of the creative process, and brings light and hope for the future.”
Congratulations, Ms. Custer!
Elevating the Senior Capstone Pitch
During lunch on September 19, in the Gerald and Betty Ford Library, a cluster of seniors gathered around Jennifer Bogart, a Bosque School parent, to share their capstone projects in five-sentence introductions to their topics. Jenny was one of many parents and alums who attended our inaugural Capstone Pitch Fair. The delivery of elevator pitches — a format requiring a concise and provocative presentation of your idea in the time it takes to get from the lobby to the metaphorical top floor of a building — provided seniors with an opportunity to practice public speaking, refine their topic parameters, and potentially find an outside reader with expertise in the field. Students circulated among the visitors, refining their pitches and responding to challenging questions, which energized them for the hard work of developing their capstone projects over the next six months.
This year, students developing humanities capstone projects can engage in an “action thesis” that allows them to produce a performance, architectural model, or podcast to showcase their mastery of a topic beyond a 20-page research paper. Students’ research interests often go far beyond our in-house expertise, so we reached out to our parent and guardian community and alums to identify potential external readers with content-area expertise. As it stands, 29 parents, guardians, and alums have volunteered to serve as outside readers, representing diverse fields such as communications, law, and psychology.
Prepa Udem Exchange and Peru Trip: Hola y Adios!
Recently, Bosque School hosted students from Prepa UDEM in Monterrey, Mexico, as part of our continued intercultural exchange partnership. Students arrived on September 27, had a welcome brunch at the Vener family home, and began a busy two-week period of activities at school and in the community.
Although they had some of their own schoolwork to keep up with during the day, the visiting students participated in their hosts’ classes, bringing their language skills and diverse experiences into our classrooms. They went on two community service trips: a day at Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico and another at Cuidando los Niños. They also enjoyed a visit to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. More lighthearted outings included a day in Santa Fe and a morning at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta.
The Prepa UDEM exchange students visit us each October, and Bosque School sends a group of students to Monterrey each May during the immersive term, where they are welcomed into the community and participate in activities similar to those the Prepa UDEM students do at Bosque School. Our Bosque School students consistently report significant growth in their language skills and their appreciation of Mexican family life and culture. This year’s Bosque School exchange participants and hosts were juniors Lucy, Elizabeth, Hannah O., Kyra, Luca, Sophie, Isai, Gael, Rainey, Michael, and senior Orion. Spanish teacher, Rachel Hanselmann, hosted this group’s coordinator, Mrs. Silvia Ayala Montemayor.
A Day of Celebration: Día de los Muertos
Ann Dunbar, the first art teacher at Bosque School, established the celebration of Día de los Muertos in the early years of the school’s history. Ann had a special relationship with a village in Mexico where she learned many of the traditions of Día de los Muertos, and traveled there every year. On Monday, November 3, as it has for many years, Bosque School gathered together to honor both the lives of those we have lost and to celebrate the living. One of those traditions is a musical celebration, which for years was led by legendary marimba maestro Steve Chavez, who passed away this summer. Chavez was very active in the University of New Mexico's music community and throughout Albuquerque. He was a teacher, mentor, and inspiration to many. He collected marimbas, traveling regularly to Chiapas, Mexico, to search for new instruments. A versatile and consummate performer, he has appeared in various roles, including as an extra on the Albuquerque-based shows “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul.” Along with his musical partner, John Bartlit, he came to play his marimbas at Bosque School every year. Photos and videos show him always smiling and inviting Bosque School students to join him and to play his beautiful instruments. This year, John Bartlit was joined by Hovey Corbin, borrowed for the celebration from Albuquerque Academy, where he is the band director.
3D Printers and Robot Battles
By Spencer Baum, Middle School STEM Teacher
Recently, upper school robotics had an unforgettable week! We welcomed two special guests, Joel Finn from Polymaker, and Sam Prentice, creator of a hugely popular robotics and 3D printing YouTube channel, and participant in the droid and puppetry team for “Star Wars: Episode IX.”
Sam introduced our students to Battle Racers, his fast-growing robotics game that features 3D-printed drivers mounted on racing tanks. The students got to see the bots in action and even battle using two custom-built Bosque School Battle Racers!
Joel and Sam generously left behind complete kits and step-by-step instructions so that our robotics students can now design, 3D print, and build their own racers. This hands-on project connects perfectly with what students are already doing in class, where we combine electronics and circuit design with computer-aided design modeling and 3D printing.
Thanks to the 10 state-of-the-art 3D printers donated by Polymaker last spring, our students are learning not just how to build robots, but how to innovate at the intersection of engineering, design, and technology.
Bosque School Senior Julius Named a National Merit Semifinalist
Congratulations to Julius ‘26, who has been named a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist by placing among the top scorers nationwide on the 2022 PSAT/NMSQT exam. The National Merit Scholarship Program honors the highest-performing students in each state, representing fewer than one percent of U.S. high school seniors. Semifinalists, numbering about 16,000 nationwide, now have the opportunity to advance to the finalist stage of the competition. Finalists are chosen for their academic record, extracurricular accomplishments, leadership, and potential for success in college—regardless of gender, race, or background.
Josie '29 Attends Physics Camp for Young Women in STEM
This summer, Josie ’29 represented Bosque School at the 9th annual Summer Physics Camp for Young Women, a two-week program designed to spark curiosity and confidence in future scientists and engineers. Held at the New Mexico School for the Arts in Santa Fe, the camp brought together students from across the state to learn directly from experts at Los Alamos National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories. Through hands-on experiments, engineering challenges, and engaging lectures, Josie explored topics ranging from renewable energy and cybersecurity to physics and bioengineering. Beyond the lab, she also gained valuable professional skills—learning how to craft a résumé, apply for internships, and prepare for future STEM opportunities.
Bosque School's 8th-Annual Shark Tank!
Today, students in Ms. Moore’s economics class pitched their original business ideas to a panel of “sharks.” Inspired by the television show Shark Tank, our student entrepreneurs presented their clever products and explained how they would bring their concepts to life. The judges were truly impressed by their presentation skills, creativity, and business savvy.
Congratulations to the winners!
- Isaiah C. and Garrett G. - “Most Viable”
- Lauren O. - “Best Pitch” (tie)
- Riah P. and Adie H. - “Best Pitch” (tie)
- Luca K., Noah R., and Peyton D. - “Best Overall Project”
And a huge thank you goes out to our guest judges — Ron Corio, Tavis Malcolm, Jared Tarbell, and Peter Sanchez — for volunteering their time and providing excellent feedback and valuable expertise!
Ron Corio: Mr. Corio is the founder of Array Technologies, which is one of the world’s leading companies in solar tracking systems. Mr. Corio recognized solar’s potential and built Array from a small workshop idea into a global leader in renewable energy. His journey shows that great ideas often come from curiosity and persistence — not a big budget.
Tavis Malcolm: Mr. Malcolm is best known for founding Morrison Outdoors, an award-winning outdoor gear company that aims to help families enjoy the outdoors together. Building on the success of Morrison Outdoors, Mr. Malcolm founded Leona Logistics, based in Albuquerque. Leona Logistics helps make world-class supply chains accessible to smaller businesses.
Jared Tarbell: Raised in Albuquerque, Mr. Tarbell is a co-founder of Electric Playhouse, an early investor in Meow Wolf, and the founder of Etsy.com. His career bridges art, science, and entrepreneurship. Through code-based systems, he creates algorithmic artworks that explore emergence, geometry, and natural form.
Peter Sanchez: Mr. Sanchez is the CEO of The Atrisco Companies, which is a family of seven social enterprises rooted in Albuquerque that pursue education, cultural preservation, and economic development through sustainable nonprofit business models. Under his leadership, Atrisco is recognized for blending entrepreneurial innovation with social impact.
From studying abroad in Peru and teaching English in Madrid to coaching middle school soccer here at Bosque School, Spanish teacher Rachel Hanselmann brings her love of language, travel, and connection into every classroom. Her dog, Maeve, is a beloved classroom presence, helping students feel at ease and confident as they practice their Spanish.
In her second year at Bosque School, Rachel continues to build meaningful relationships with students — both in the classroom and on the soccer field — and encourages them to “be brave for 20 seconds” when trying something new.
With a rich background in education and leadership, Mishan Montgomery brings a passion for connection, inclusion, and student growth to her work at Bosque School. Outside of school, she enjoys traveling to visit family, spending time outdoors, and supporting her son’s Rise Basketball School — where she helps inspire perseverance and teamwork.
A proud Bosque School alum, Katie Proctor ’04 returned to campus to teach upper school humanities after earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Texas Christian University and teaching in Texas and Albuquerque.
Katie’s classroom is a place where curiosity thrives — she encourages students to “stay curious, always” and to think critically about the world around them. Outside of school, she enjoys hiking and camping with her family, reading, baking, and spending time with her dog, Coco.
CHECK IT OUT
By Rachel Patton, Bosque School Librarian
Over the summer, Bosque School launched an exciting project to refresh and reimagine the Ford Library. The goals are to cultivate an inviting, relevant, and dynamic space for the community while ensuring the collection continues to meet the academic and intellectual needs of all learners.
The library is being thoughtfully redesigned to support a wide range of learning styles. The north side will be dedicated to focused study, while the south side will continue to encourage social connection and collaboration. The nonfiction collection is also receiving some extra care. Currently boxed up, it will soon be reunited with the fiction collection on the south side, alongside many new resources. New furniture — chosen to support both quiet study and social connection and collaboration— arrived on September 15, marking another step toward a more accessible and engaging environment.
Although the project is still in the “messy middle,” the vision is clear: a library that is easier to navigate, welcoming to all learners, and designed to foster a love of reading and discovery. I am thrilled to be part of this transformation and am grateful for the community’s support during the process. I look forward to working alongside students and staffulty in the year ahead and to sharing a refreshed Ford Library that will be a more vibrant, useful, and inspiring space for all.
A Fresh Chapter for the Ford Library 💙
Our beloved Gerald and Betty Ford Library recently celebrated its grand reopening, unveiling beautiful renovations that include new floors, updated furniture, and an inviting new atmosphere. Students and staff are already enjoying the refreshed space, a perfect spot for reading, collaboration, and reflection.
Open House Success! A Day to Remember
What an incredible day! On Saturday, October 18, we welcomed so many prospective families for a vibrant, hands-on day at Bosque School. From academic demos in math, science, Spanish, and WELLBEING to creative showcases in art, music, and theater — our community shone bright. Families explored campus life through our Student Life Fair and Q&A panels, making meaningful connections along the way.
Missed the event? Join us for a Buddy Day to experience Bosque firsthand! Spots are limited, contact admission@bosqueschool.org.
IMPORTANT DATES
- Friday, November 21, 2025: Early Decision Application and Early Tuition Assistance Application Deadline
- Friday, December 12, 2025: Early Decision Outcomes Released
- Friday, February 6, 2026: Regular Decision Application and Tuition Assistance Application Deadline
- Friday, March 13, 2026: Regular Decision Outcomes Released
Whole Child Wellness
Our new Whole Child Wellness weekly series, written by Dr. Becky Bone, Bosque School Counselor and Wellbeing/Neuroscience Teacher, explores mental health, brain science, and practical ways to support adolescents’ overall wellbeing. Recent posts have focused on topics like sleep, technology use, and the adolescent brain — helping families understand how everyday habits influence mental health.
Catch up on our Whole Child Wellness Articles
Submit photos and stories to our marketing and communications team, and your alumni photos and stories to the philanthropy department.