Principal

Education: 

• Bachelor of Science in Science of Education

• Master of Arts in Education, Curriculum & Instruction

• Master of Arts in Education, Educational Leadership

Licenses:

• Social Studies

• Administration

Bio:
Mrs. Shay became an Assistant Principal at Alamogordo High School starting in February of 2022, in June of that year she was promoted to Principal. Before that, she served as an  Assistant Principal at Chaparral Middle School from April of 2018. Mrs. Shay was responsible for implementing a system of positive incentives for student behavior during her time at CMS. April’s administrative journey was preceded by 16 years of classroom teaching, mostly 9th grade New Mexico History at AHS. In that time, Mrs. Shay was a teacher leader who helped build the Freshman Academy and mentored new teachers. She was also a coach and club sponsor. April obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Education from NMSU in 2002, her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction in 2009, and her Master of Education in Administration in December of 2017. 

Mrs. Shay originally came to Alamogordo in 1984 when the Air Force transferred her dad here to Holloman AFB.  Upon retiring from the Air Force in 1988 he remained here and made Alamogordo their home. Mrs. Shay is a proud graduate of Alamogordo High School, class of 1996. She also is a proud mama of 3 AHS graduates, two daughters who graduated in 2014 and 2021, and a son in 2024. Mrs. Shay has seen her children grow through the variety of activities each has been involved in from swimming to soccer, and creative writing classes to FFA competitions. She loves Alamogordo and is dedicated to the success of AHS.  

Mrs. Shay also has two step-sons, one of whom graduated from Oregon Mtn in 2014, and another who graduated from Academy Del Sol in 2016.  She is happily married to Mr. Ebenezer Shay.

Assistant Principal

Education: 

• Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics & Aviation Safety 

• Master of Arts in Physical Education & Exercise Science

• Master of Arts in Education, Special Education

Licenses:

• Physical Education & Health

• Special Education

• Administration

Bio:
Mr. Palmer became an Assistant Principal at Alamogordo High School in July of 2022. He was previously HS SPED Specialist and Department Head, Mental Health Alternative Education teacher, and SPED Reading Intervention teacher. In addition, he was a varsity Football Coach in Riverside, California for 9 years. Mr. Palmer has spent his entire post-Navy career in Special Education.

Mr. Palmer was born in Missoula, Montana. His family moved to Lake Arthur, NM in 1974. He is a graduate of Lake Arthur High School, class of 1991.  

Mr. Palmer attended Eastern New Mexico University in Portales for two years before joining the United States Navy in 1993 to become an Air Traffic Controller. He retired from the Navy in 2013 having been stationed in Guam, San Diego, and Hawaii and completing two Western Pacific Deployments on the USS Bonhomme-Richard and USS Peleliu. Matt earned many awards and accommodations in his Navy career, with one of the highlights being his selection as the Air Traffic Controller of the Year in 2006. He has visited 38 states and 14 countries. 

While on active duty, Mr. Palmer earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Aeronautics & Aviation Safety at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. After retiring from active duty, he enrolled at Azusa Pacific University, where he earned his first Master’s Degree in 2016 in Physical Education and Exercise Science, and his 2nd Master’s Degree in Education, Special Education in 2018. In 2021 he completed the Education Administration credential program at the National University, an additional 36 post-graduate hours, earning his Administration License. He is currently attending Liberty University, completing the requirements for his Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership.

Mr. Palmer is happily married to Mrs. Julie Palmer, they have 3 adult sons together, D.J., Matthew, and Brendan, who is on active duty serving in the United States Navy.

Mr. Palmer has a passion for Special Education and “At-Risk” students. He strives to improve outcomes for all students, but especially those who need just a little more!

Assistant Principal

Education: 

• Bachelor of Arts in English 

• Master of Arts in Teaching, Language Arts

Licenses:

• Language Arts 

• Librarian/Media Specialist Endorsement 

• Administration

Bio:
Ms. Johnna Rocker-Clinton was first selected as Assistant Principal of Alamogordo High School for the 2022-2023 school year. She began her career with APS at Alamogordo High School in 2017 as an English teacher and has taught Pre-AP 9th grade English, and 5th grade English, and worked as a school librarian in the district. 

Ms. Rocker-Clinton has been in education for 17 years and has worked as a teacher assistant, tutor, para-professional, classroom teacher, and librarian.

She considers herself a lifelong learner and views education, formal or informal, as liberation. Ms. Rocker-Clinton has earned a Bachelor of Arts in English, and a Master of Arts in Teaching with a focus on Language Arts, and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the area of Educational Leadership and Administration at New Mexico State University. 

Currently, Ms. Rocker-Clinton also serves as the chair of the Black Education Act Advisory Council for the State of New Mexico. She is passionate about education research and supporting and implementing equitable and culturally responsive educational practices for all students.

Ms. Rocker-Clinton is an Alabama native and mother of two adult children who are both graduates of Alamogordo High School. 

Assistant Principal

Education: 

• Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media Communications

• Master of Arts in Education, Administration & Supervision

• Master of Divinity in African-American Church Theology

Licenses:

• Elementary Education, K-12

• Administration

Bio:
Mrs. Hopkins began her 31st year in education as the assistant principal of Alamogordo High School. Over the last 30 years in education, Mrs. Hopkins has taught 1st through 8th grades in various subjects: English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Critical Thinking, and Music Education.

Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Mrs. Hopkins has lived and been a teacher in Atlanta, GA, Phoenix, AZ, and now Alamogordo, NM. Mrs. Hopkins attended Clark Atlanta University; Atlanta Georgia following the footsteps of her mother and grandmother. After graduation, she began teaching in 1st, 7th, and 8th grades and Music within the Chicago Public School system. Enjoying teaching she returned to school to get her teacher certification and a Master of Arts degree with a concentration in Educational Administration and Leadership from the University of Phoenix; Phoenix, Arizona. Years later she felt led to pursue a theological degree. She graduated from Northwestern University: Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary; Evanston, Illinois with a Master of Divinity focusing on African-American Church Theology.   

While at GETS (Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary), one of her assignments was with the Greater Chicago Broadcast Ministries where she was the Student Producer of CBS Channel 2’s “Different Drummers.” Currently, pursuing an EdD degree from Walden University focusing on Educational Administration and Leadership.  

Mrs. Hopkins is married to the Rev. Michael Hopkins she is a loving mother and grandmother. Her favorite quote: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. Nelson Mandela

Assistant Principal

Education: 

• Bachelor of Science in Education with endorsements in Mathematics & Science

• Master of Arts in Education Administration 

• AAS and AA Degrees

Licenses:

• Mathematics, K-12

• Science, K-12

• Administration, K-12

Bio: 
Born- Colbran, Colorado in 1969
Raised- In Carlsbad, NM

Mr. Autry became an Assistant Principal at Alamogordo High School in July of 2023. Previously, he was a member of the United States Air Force where he served as a crew chief on the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, as well as the F-117 Stealth Bomber. He also received his Community College of the Air Force degree while serving prior to being honorably discharged.

After serving in the armed forces, Mr. Autry received his Bachelor of Education degree from Eastern New Mexico University where he majored in Mathematics and Science. Soon thereafter, he began teaching Mathematics and Science at Carlsbad High School, where his tenure lasted for 23 years. While teaching at Carlsbad High, he also served on a variety of committees, as well as JV and Varsity Caveman Baseball coach. 

Mr. Autry has been happily married to Judy Autry for 32 years, they have two children and six grandchildren. And yes! He says that all the grandchildren are spoiled and to blame their grandmother! 

Mr. Autry has served as an officer for many years at the Carlsbad Elks Lodge where he was their Exalted Ruler from 2021-2022. He has also served as the New Mexico State Elks Veterans Chairman for 7 years where he has helped countless veterans in need all across the state of New Mexico and Southwest Texas. 

Hobbies: Mr. Autry enjoys spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. He also enjoys grilling and smoking meat for his family and friends. An occasional fishing derby also fits the bill as time allows. One day, Mr. Autry hopes to make grilling and smoking meats a full-time endeavor once he has decided to hang up his educational boots.