In addition to being a state representative, Natalie FIgueroa is a Spanish teacher at Volcano Vista High School with a passion for serving others. The daughter (and granddaughter) of teachers, she finds joy in working with young people and has a deep love of the Spanish language.

An innovative educator who has been awarded grants and scholarships in three states, Natalie has also served as a mentor teacher for the University of New Mexico’s School of Education, helping to train the next generation of teachers. She is involved in numerous professional organizations, serving in leadership roles statewide and nationally.

Natalie is also a lifelong Christian devoted to community service. In addition to work in Albuquerque with the Storehouse, the Asbury Pie Café, and assisting with tax preparation for the elderly, Natalie has worked on service projects in Nicaragua, Tanzania, and Costa Rica.

Natalie has been married to Rafael Figueroa, a college adviser, for 32 years.

Natalie’s Experience

  • Spanish Language Teacher, Tier III New Mexico Teaching License

  • Spanish Language Teacher, Volcano Vista High School, 2007 to present

  • Member, Board of Directors of American Council of Teachers of Foreign Language, 2018 to present

  • Chair, Modern, Classical, and Native Language Department, Volcano Vista High School, 2007-2015

  • President of the Board, Southwest Conference on Language Teaching (SWCOLT), 2015-2016

  • Member, Textbook Adoption Committee, Albuquerque Public Schools

  • Member, Block Scheduling Task Force, Albuquerque Public Schools

  • Member, Superintendent’s Advisory Committee, Albuquerque Public Schools

  • Vice President of the Board, SWCOLT, 2014-2015

  • Organized service learning trip to Ciudad Darío, Nicaragua, with Seeds of Learning Program, 2016

  • Service trip to Nicaragua with Seeds of Learning, 2013

  • Member, Asbury Handbell Choir, 2010 to present

  • Volunteer, Asbury Café, 2005 to present

  • Mentor Teacher, UNM-ATF Mentoring Program, 2008-2015

  • Cooperating Teacher for UNM Field Service Teacher Preparation, 2013-2015

  • Board Member, SWCOLT, 2008-2014

  • Volunteer trip to village schools in Arusha, Tanzania, with the Joshua Foundation, 2008

  • Member, Asbury United Methodist Church Adult Education Committee

  • President, New Mexico Organization of Language Educators, 2005-2006

  • New Mexico State Director, Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica, 2010 to present

  • Spanish Language Teacher, Cibola High School, 2005-2007

  • Albuquerque Master Gardener, 2004-2005

  • Member, Loma Del Rey Neighborhood Association, 2004 to present

  • Member, Albuquerque Teacher Federation, 2003 to present

  • Trainer, National Board of Professional Teaching Standards, 2002-2004

  • Spanish Language Teacher, Bosque School, 2002-2004

  • Member, Asbury United Methodist Church, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 2002 to present

  • Fulbright-Hays Scholar, 1999

  • Spanish Language Teacher, Glastonbury High School, Glastonbury, CT, 1996-2002

  • Spanish Language Teacher, Middletown High School, Middletown, CT, 1995-1996

  • Director, Global Studies Center, Alexander Hamilton High School, Los Angeles, CA, 1994-1995

  • Spanish Language Teacher, Alexander Hamilton High School, Los Angeles, CA, 1993-1995

  • Foreign Language Department Chairperson, John Burroughs Middle School, Los Angeles, CA, 1992-1993

  • Spanish Language Teacher, John Burroughs Middle School, Los Angeles, CA, 1990-1993

  • Member, American Council of Teachers of Foreign Language (ACTFL)

  • Member, American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP)

  • Member, New Mexico Organization of Language Educators (NMOLE)

  • A.B. in Spanish with Distinction from Stanford University, CA.

  • M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from University of California, Los Angeles.

  • Personal: Married for 32 years to Rafael Figueroa, Dean of College Guidance at Albuquerque Academy