Montezuma-Cortez High School Principal Jennifer Boniface has announced the selection of an athletic director and her hopes and goals for the new school year.
“We have a lot of exciting things on the horizon at M-CHS,” Boniface said.
Boniface has 13 years of experience working in education from preschool through college seniors. She spent the majority of her career so far working as an English and drama teacher at Ignacio High School and worked as an adjunct professor for education classes at Fort Lewis College, as well as reading courses at San Juan College.
She said her husband grew up in Cortez and graduated from M-CHS. Boniface grew up and went to school in Bayfield before earning a bachelor’s degree in English from Fort Lewis College. She also received a master’s in curriculum and instruction from New Mexico State University and finished out her education with an education specialist degree in leadership and policy studies from University of Northern Colorado and a doctorate in organizational leadership at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix.
“I am the mother of four kids and love what I do and where we live,” Boniface said.
Boniface also spoke of the new athletic director, Colton Trosclair, who is from Lubbock, Texas. Trosclair moved to Cortez with his wife and daughter.
Trosclair is a former physical education teacher and varsity soccer coach who attended Texas Tech University, earning a bachelor’s degree in exercise sports science and sports administration. He is completing his master’s in sports administration from Eastern New Mexico University.
“We also have some promising candidates to fill our assistant principal positions,” Boniface said.
She also spoke about the encouraging staff and new classroom structure that will help boost student learning and engagement.
“This past year, we were fortunate to only lose a few teachers, mostly due to retirement or moving out of the area, but we have filled nearly all positions for the coming year with qualified applicants,” she said. “We have an amazing staff who are motivated and always go above and beyond for the students.”
One new change for the upcoming school year is the split of the agriculture department. Now, there will be two teachers in that role. One will be focusing on Future Farmers of America, agriculture and animal science, while the other will work with students in wood shop, welding and mechanics.
Boniface also noted the move to a seven-period school day, which will give each teacher six sections and one prep period.
“The benefit is that teachers will have smaller class sizes and students will have more flexibility in their schedules, and the graduation requirements will not be as tight and restrictive,” Boniface said. “For example, students previously needed 23 credits to graduate, and they could only earn 24 over four years.”
“With a seven-period day,” she said, “students can earn 28 credits, which provides a lot more flexibility. Students will now have the opportunity to try out more classes, engage in more concurrent enrollment opportunities, participate in work-study or internships and more.”
At the beginning of the school year, the district will bring in guest speaker A.J. Crabill, who will work closely with the school district’s administrative team, district administration and school board during his time in Cortez.
“His message is that ‘student outcomes change when adult behavior changes,’” Boniface said. “We are very excited for him to come and speak to our district. His message also aligns with our goals and our new themes at the high school.”
According to Boniface, the school goals for the 2023-2024 school year are focused on student engagement, student learning, curriculum and standards, as well as postgraduate success.
To achieve these goals, the district has implemented new policies and revised outdated policies in the handbook.
“Above all, we want students to enjoy learning, to come to school each day and attend all of their classes and to feel safe and welcome in our building,” Boniface said.
Another focus for Boniface is to encourage two themes for students and staff alike. The first is, “Be the CHANGE (compassion, hope, attitude, needs, growth and encouragement) that you want to see in the world.” The other is CARING (curriculum, alignment, relationships, inclusion, needs and growth).
The school also will host a back-to-school night on Aug. 9 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Students and families are invited to come and enjoy food, get class schedules and new Chromebooks, and meet their teachers, coaches and staff.
“We also will have a few fun prize drawings for the kids who come and have updated their registration for the coming school year,” Boniface said.
