Sandia Prep's PREParation Newsletter - Summer 2020

HELLO, MY NAME IS...
MEET SOME OF OUR TEACHERS
Ms. Nakigan
Ms. Nakigan teaches middle and upper school art and has been at
Sandia Prep since 2014. Ms. Nakigan’s main goal as a teacher is to be
supportive and inclusive, while providing a fun and challenging classroom
environment. During her free time, Ms. Nakigan loves the outdoors and
enjoys hiking, camping, and sketching outside. She also loves writing and
spends much of her free time reading good novels.
She says, “Prep is a wonderful school full of amazing opportunities,
inspiring teachers, and new friends. I am very happy that you are joining
our community, and I can’t wait to learn more about you.”
Mr. de León is Prep’s Director of Innovation and teaches 6th-and
7th-grade DareDevil Design, as well as Entrepreneurial Studies for
upper school students. Mr. de León is a first generation American
and comes from a long line of entrepreneurs and innovators.
Mr. de León
He started his journey at Sandia Prep in 2000, where he taught all
levels of Spanish. During the last few years, Mr. de León has shifted
his focus to STEM and expanding Prep’s makerspace and designthinking
courses.
Mr. Westerlund
This will be Mr. Westerlund’s fifth year teaching science at Prep, after
working as a teacher in both the private and public sectors for nine years.
He also coaches the Girls Varsity Soccer Team, which won its fourth state
championship in a row last fall!
In his free time, he enjoys exercising, spending time with family (especially
his 5-year-old nephew, Logan) and enjoying life to its fullest. He recently
discovered cooking, baking, and dancing. He claims to have some pretty
sweet moves!