Welcome to the Board–Andrew Tafoya Leverett, the new Rehovot, Israel Co-Chair

Andrew, born and raised in Albuquerque, is a bilingual educator with more than 8 years of classroom service in and out of New Mexico. Since childhood, Andrew has loved travel, and has had the great privilege of visiting more than 40 countries. He briefly studied abroad in Costa Rica, before graduating from the University of New Mexico with a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education. Post graduation, Andrew moved to Netanya, Israel serving as a teacher while also attending the Levinsky College of Education in Tel Aviv where he received an Elementary Teaching Certificate.

Later, Andrew moved to Plasencia, Spain where he also served as an English teacher in two different high schools in the surrounding area before returning to the classroom in Albuquerque. During the pandemic of 2020, Andrew found himself returning to Israel to pursue a graduate degree in Diplomacy and International Relations at the University of Haifa. Since returning to New Mexico, Andrew has become increasingly involved with organizations in Albuquerque geared toward urban renewal, multi-lingual education, and environmental protection and preservation.

Passionate about education and fostering international connections, Andrew is honored to take on the role as co-chair of Rehovot. He wishes to cultivate deeper relations between Rehovot and his hometown of Albuquerque, while striving to focus on particular areas such as renewable energy production, rainwater harvesting, reforestation, and holistic urban renewal. He is a believer in Tikkun Olam and the power of collaboration. Andrew has a love for gardening, tree stewardship, and is a proud dog father of Edna and Güero.