New Principal at NMAMA, Block Party Grant Announced, James Beard Award Results and More

(Photo of the Day: Taihg McCabe)

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Meet the New Principal of Nob Hill’s Unique Charter School

Building acquisition adds considerable room to grow

By Damon Scott

Jones waits to be interviewed in the school’s media studio. (Photo: Damon Scott)

Chris Jones was recently named principal of the public charter school New Mexico Academy for the Media Arts (NMAMA), located in Nob Hill on Central Avenue near Washington Street. His first day on the job was June 3. Jones succeeds John Rodarte who led the school for about two years.

The 44-year-old Jones is an Albuquerque native with an extensive professional background in education. He’s the former principal of the Mission Achievement Success Charter School and the Albuquerque Bilingual Academy (formerly the La Promesa Early Learning Center). He also spent a year as senior director of digital learning for Albuquerque Public Schools. Jones has business and education degrees from Central New Mexico Community College, Eastern New Mexico University and Walden University.