Peak to Peak Charter School

2007-2008 Administration, Staff & Faculty Biographies

 

 


Executive Administration

Peter Chandler (Athletics/Activities Director):  Mr. Chandler attended Springfield College in Massachusetts, where he earned a B.S. in physical education, and the University of South Florida, where he earned an M.A., also in physical education. Mr. Chandler played professional soccer with the Connecticut Bicentennials and the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the North American Soccer League for six years. During that time he played with Pele on Team America during a Bicentennial Celebration in 1976 where the United States hosted World Cup teams from Italy, England and Brazil.  He has 23 years of experience as an athletic director, physical educator, and coach of soccer, basketball and baseball. Peter is the proud father of six children, including Zach, who is a senior at Ithaca College, and Meagan, Joshua, Amanda, Emily and Heidi (quintuplets), who are now seniors at Peak to Peak. Peter was named “Soccer Coach of the Year” in 2004 and his team was a state Quarterfinalist.  In 2005, the Peak to Peak boys’ soccer team won the State Championship.  In 2006, the Boys soccer team won the Metro League Championship and were State Quarterfinalists.  During the spring of 2007, Peter, who is also the girls’ soccer coach, coached the girls to their first ever State appearance.

Adam DiGiacomo (Director of Technology/Science, Technology, Engineering, Math Chair):  Mr. DiGiacomo holds a B.A. in biology and an M.A. in secondary curriculum and instruction from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He has taught both middle school and high school science in the Boulder Valley School District. Before coming to Peak to Peak in 2003, he worked as director of curriculum for Team Labs, a leading science educational company in Boulder, during which time he served as a consultant to science teachers and science coordinators throughout the United States, Canada and Asia. He is the author of a number of secondary science curriculum books focused on technology integration in the science classroom.

 

Tony Fontana (K-12 Executive Principal):  Mr. Fontana is in his seventh year at Peak to Peak and has served as the executive principal for the past five.  Before moving into administration, Mr. Fontana taught English for 13 years. He earned a B.A. in English from Colorado State University and an M.A. in organizational management from the University of Phoenix. Mr. Fontana has coached a wide variety of sports, including volleyball, and was recognized by The Denver Post and The Rocky Mountain News as 5A Volleyball Coach of the Year.

 

Megan Freeman (Induction Supervisor/Humanities Chair):  Ms. Freeman is in her 18th year of teaching and previously taught at Front Range Community College, the Ohio State University and the Alexander Dawson School, where she created and built the theater and women's history programs.  She is a two-time Impact on Education Award finalist, a nominee for the 2008 Colorado Teacher of the Year, and a Fund for Teachers fellow.  Ms. Freeman is also a poet and a fellow with the Colorado State University Writing Project.  She earned an A.B. from Occidental College and an M.F.A. from Ohio State University.  She has a daughter in elementary school at Peak to Peak.

 

Scott Gibson (Dean of Students):  Mr. Gibson is excited to be the new dean at Peak to Peak. Scott has been an educator in Boulder Valley School District for the last 9 years. For the past two years, he taught Language Arts at Monarch High School in Louisville. Mr. Gibson earned a B.A. in English from the University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse, an M.A. in Instruction and Curriculum from the University of Colorado in Boulder, and an M.F.A in Writing and Poetics from Naropa University. He most recently completed his principal license at the University of Phoenix. A relaxing day for Scott would include playing with his three boys and two dogs and going for a hike in the Boulder area.

 

David Hazen (Middle School Principal):  Mr. Hazen has more than 25 years of experience in education and related fields, including teaching at all levels from kindergarten through adult. He earned an M.A. in educational administration from the University of Phoenix in Denver, a B.A. in theater from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, and teacher certification at the University of Colorado in Boulder. Mr. Hazen’s previous positions include charter school principal in Lakewood, Colorado, middle and high school social studies teacher, drama director, high school basketball coach, nutrition and health counselor, and assistant projects director at Americorps NCCC in Denver.

Kyle Mathews (High School Principal):  Mr. Mathews was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. He earned a B.A. in international affairs from Lewis and Clark College, an M.A. in history from the University of Colorado at Denver, and is currently completing his Education Specialist degree. He pursued studies in international relief and development, and has lived and worked in Senegal and Uzbekistan. Mr. Mathews also served as an adjunct professor for the University of Colorado at Denver from 2001 to 2007 and formerly chaired Peak to Peak’s social studies department as an advanced placement teacher. When not looking after his twins, he is an avid cyclist and backcountry skier.

Noelle Roni (Elementary Principal):  Ms. Roni graduated with a B.A. in psychology from the University of Washington in 1990; two years later, she earned an education degree and was endorsed to teach kindergarten through eighth grade. In 1994, she graduated from City University with a M.Ed. in guidance and counseling. She worked in the Seattle School District for 14 years as an elementary teacher and counselor, a middle school teacher and counselor, an assistant principal and an elementary principal. She was also a district trainer in social skills programs, such as Second Step and Relate for Kids. Ms. Roni moved to Colorado in September 2004 after getting married. That year she worked as a K-5 reading interventionist and a first and second grade teacher in the Adams 12 School District. In 2005, she became Peak to Peak’s elementary principal. She loves her job and working with families.

 

Sam Todd (Director of Operations):   Mr. Todd earned a B.S. in economics from Purdue University, an M.S. in Industrial Relations from Michigan State University, and an M.S. in Business/Economic Development from Eastern University. Mr. Todd began his career with Hewlett-Packard Company as a Senior HR Manager for six years in Boise, Idaho. He then lived and worked in the inner city of Philadelphia doing community development for five years while working at Eastern University as Executive Director of the Adult and Professional Studies program. After living in Guatemala for six months, he worked for Global Partners for Development in Atlanta doing economic development work in Bangladesh. Mr. Todd then returned to Indiana to help care for his elderly parents, where he started his career working in schools. For 11 years he served as Business Manager/CFO for Western Boone Schools, a public school district near Indianapolis. In 1993, he moved to Fort Collins to become the Director of Operations for Wingshadow, a social services organization with seven programs serving at-risk youth, including an alternative school with the Poudre School District. He then worked as Corporate Controller for Ultimate Support Systems for three years before joining the Peak to Peak team. He is also an adjunct business faculty member for Colorado Christian University.

 

 

 


Faculty

 

Heather Andony (Music/Electives Chair):  Ms. Andony moved to Colorado in 2000 from Canada. She has been a professional musician, conductor and private music teacher for the past 20 years. Ms. Andony holds a B.Music in voice from the University of Alberta and a diploma in music performance from Grant MacEwan College in Edmonton.

 

Holly Armbrust (Math):  Ms. Armbrust holds a master’s degree in math education from the University of Colorado. She has taught secondary mathematics for the past eight years, the last five years at Peak to Peak High School. She has enjoyed working with students through various coaching, outdoor leadership, and experiential education positions.

 

Becky Bartlett (3rd Grade):  Ms. Bartlett was raised in Boulder, Colorado, and has now lived nearly half her life in Louisville. She received her B.S. in teaching elementary school from the University of Colorado. She has been teaching for the past 16 years; first in Boulder Valley, then at the St. Louis Catholic School, and also at Stargate in Adams County, a charter school for gifted and talented students.  She has been nominated for Disney Teacher of the Year for three years, was named Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year in 2001, and was selected as a "Most Inspirational Teacher" in a Boulder Valley Schools contest in 2006[SRS1] . In her free time, she collects children's books and appreciates the benefits of reading children's literature. She enjoys taking courses to keep abreast of the newest teaching trends, and promotes life-long learning for my students by sharing her experiences. She and her husband, Scott, a teacher in Adams District 12, love working on remodeling their Louisville home, which they share with their two cats, Monkey and Jet.

 

Christine Botvinick (5th Grade):  Ms. Botvinick recently earned an M.A. in educational psychology from the University of Colorado. She received a B.A. in international studies and art history from Duke University. While at Duke, she realized her passion for teaching and taught fifth grade literacy through a program called "Literacy through Photography." Ms. Botvinick has also worked outside the field of education. After college, she was a stockbroker for several years and worked in the film industry in Los Angeles, coordinating such movies as Big Fish and Charlie’s Angels.  

 

Monika Bunting (English/Film):  Ms. Bunting holds a B.A. in English literature from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, and an M.A. in instruction and curriculum from the University of Colorado. She taught language arts, public speaking, film literature, and creative writing for five years at The Bridge School in Boulder. Ms Bunting was honored as the runner up “Best Teacher in Boulder County” through the Daily Camera Gold Awards in 2005. In her spare time she actively competes in Ironman distance triathlons. She recently competed in the World Championships for Xterra Triathlon in Maui and placed ninth in her age group.

 

Anita Chakraborty-Spotts (Math):  Ms. Chakraborty-Spotts earned a B.S. (honors) in math and education from Kings College, London, a postgraduate in secondary education from Oxford Brookes, and an advanced diploma in education. Before moving to the United States, she taught mathematics for three years in middle and high schools in England, and she wrote and taught lesson plans to implement new government-led initiatives in pilot schools. At Peak to Peak she served as math team leader (2004-06), and she sponsors the math competition club after school. Ms Chakraborty-Spotts has a young son.  

 

Jeri Chandler (Physical Education):  Mrs. Chandler earned a B.S. in physical education from the University of Tampa. Before joining Peak to Peak for its inaugural year in 2000, she taught movement education to students in pre-K through fourth grade as well as aerobic dance and swimming to high school and adult students. Mrs. Chandler also taught sixth grade grammar and spelling at the Alexander Dawson School. In her spare time, she delights in reading, gardening, and recreating with her busy family. Her husband, Peter Chandler, is Peak to Peak's Athletic and Activities Director. She and Mr. Chandler have six children including one senior in college and five seniors at Peak to Peak. Mrs. Chandler says that life with quintuplets is a blessed adventure! 

 

Belinda Chase (Art):  Originally from New York, Ms. Chase traveled west to Colorado for her undergraduate degree in fine arts, majoring in sculpture and drawing.  After returning to the east cost and working in a studio specializing in non-profit development campaigns, she completed her teaching certificate.  By a happy twist of fate, her husband’s career brought her back to Boulder.  She enjoys gardening, cooking, yoga and hiking.

 

Melissa Christensen (1st Grade):  Ms. Christensen is in her fifth year of teaching at Peak to Peak. She graduated cum laude from Brigham Young University with a B.S. in elementary education and early childhood education. She attended rigorous magnet / charter schools throughout her education, and her elementary school was one of three nationally acclaimed teacher-observation schools for gifted and talented programs.  She loves reading, sleeping, and anything chocolate!

 

Cody Clark (Physical Education):  Mr. Clark earned a B.A. in human performance and sport from Metropolitan State College of Denver in 2005. He taught physical education for two years at a K-8 charter school in Commerce City, Colorado, before arriving at Peak to Peak. Besides teaching middle school and fifth grade physical education, he is also the head coach of the middle school cross country team. When Mr. Clark is not busy teaching or coaching you may find him hiking in the mountains, running marathons, snowboarding, or reading a good book.

 

Heather Cyr (English):  A former “Maineiac,” Ms. Cyr returns to Peak to Peak for a fourth year after three years of private- and public-school teaching in and around Boston. She earned a B.A. in English and art history from Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts, and recently completed an M.A. in secondary English instruction and curriculum from the University of Colorado at Boulder. After attending the Colorado State University Writing Project in June, 2006, and a creative writing course in Edinburgh, Scotland, in August, 2007, she aspires to be in a “state of constant composition.”

 

Lori Douglass (2nd Grade/Elementary Social Studies Team Leader):  Ms. Douglass has more than 22 years teaching experience. She has taught all grades from pre-K through sixth in both public and private schools. Ms. Douglass is a graduate of Western Illinois University with a B.S. in elementary and special education. She was one of the inaugural teachers at Peak to Peak.

 

Keri Dunphy (Spanish):  Ms. Dunphy has taught for seven years including in South Carolina (at Spring Valley High School, Midlands Technical College, and the University of South Carolina), in Kentucky (at the University of Kentucky), and in Spain (at the American School of Madrid).  She holds bachelors degrees in Biology and Spanish from Washington and Lee University, a masters in Hispanic Literature from the University of Kentucky, and a masters in Teaching Foreign Languages from the University of South Carolina. 

 

Carla Flanhofer (Social Studies):  Ms. Flanhofer has been a part of the Peak to Peak community since her departure from her hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in secondary education with a specialization in social studies from Clarion University. Ms. Flanhofer joined the history department five years ago before moving to Fort Collins to pursue her master's in sociology at Colorado State University. Having finished her master's program, she returned to Peak to Peak last year after instructing both Criminology and Sociology courses at CSU and is excited to again be a full time member of the history department. Currently she instructs the AP and standard US history courses and is collaborating to develop the ACCESS, student aide and student tutoring programs.

 

Dana Geier (3rd Grade):  Ms. Reyes completed her undergraduate studies at Mississippi State University and her graduate studies at the University of West Florida.  She has been teaching for the past ten years and for the past five years also flying as a flight attendant for Frontier Airlines.  She has two boys, Ryan and Jaden.  Ryan will be joining Peak to Peak this fall as a first grader. 

 

Steve Goldhaber (Science):  After receiving a Ph.D. in physics from M.I.T., Dr. Goldhaber embarked on a career in high technology, working as a software engineer at places like Thinking Machines and Cisco Systems. He was inspired early on by the Apollo program, and he never lost interest in science and technology. He has been teaching at Peak to Peak since 2001. He also taught at Summit Middle School in addition to several years of teaching undergraduate science courses at M.I.T.

 

Heather Green (4th Grade/3-5 Science and Math Team Leader):  This is Ms. Green's third year at Peak to Peak. Her prior teaching experience includes one year of fifth grade at Peak to Peak, one year of fourth grade at Peak to Peak, two years of fifth grade at another school in Colorado and one year at a primary school in London, England. She earned a B.A. in liberal studies with a minor in psychology from San Diego State University and finished her M.A. in literacy at the University of Colorado. Ms. Green is enjoying her role as elementary science and math leader at Peak to Peak, and in her spare time Ms. Green enjoys the outdoors of colorful Colorado.    

 

Megan Greenlee (5th Grade):  Ms. Greenlee was born and raised in Littleton, Colorado. She graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2003 with a degree in finance and accounting and in 2006 from Regis University in Denver with an M.A. in elementary education. Prior to working at Peak to Peak, Ms. Greenlee was a third grade teacher and a reading paraprofessional. Ms. Greenlee enjoys mountain biking, hiking, and skiing with her fiancé and dog, Tango, in her spare time.

 

Kathy Hale (French):  Ms. Hale was born in Boulder and received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado in French with a second major in international affairs. She pursued a master’s degree at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. With her master’s degree in public policy, she worked for 19 years as an analyst for the Government Accountability Office, an agency that provides oversight and research support to the United States Congress. She is married and has two daughters and one son. In 2001, Ms. Hale and her family moved back to Boulder and she began to pursue her dream of teaching French at the secondary school level.  Ms. Hale teaches two middle school French levels (1A and 2) and high school AP French Language.

 

Courtney Hanna-McNamara (English/Forensics):  Ms. Hanna-McNamara teaches British literature honors and American literature this year. She graduated summa cum laude from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, with a B.A. in English, a minor in music, and certification in secondary education. Ms. Hanna-McNamara is glad to be back for a fourth year at Peak to Peak and greatly enjoys sharing her love of literature with the fabulous students and staff.

 

Robert Hettmansperger (Technology):  Mr. Hettmansperger grew up in central Pennsylvania and attended Penn State University, receiving a masters Degree in Computer Engineering in 1990. After working in New Jersey in Telecommunications R&D for five years, he made a temporary break with technology, returning to school to study Food Science and Engineering and working as a professional brewer and vintner. In 2002, he moved with his family to Colorado, but soon relocated again to Paris as a trailing spouse. During his two years abroad, he studied web-based programming and worked remotely for Google. Now back in Colorado, he is pursuing his interest in education, something he has always valued throughout his eclectic professional life.

 

Rachel Holbel (Kindergarten):  This is Ms. Holbel's third year of teaching at Peak to Peak. She moved to Colorado from Bellaire, Michigan. She graduated with a degree in child development and elementary education from Michigan State University in East Lasing. Ms. Holbel moved here to enjoy the sunny weather, the mountain sports, and the adventure that Colorado has to offer. 

 

Krista Hollis (Social Studies):  Ms. Hollis earned a B.A. in Economics and Public Policy at Swarthmore College.  She spent four years teaching and designing fieldwork at a charter middle school in Framingham, Massachusetts.  During the summers, she enjoys  instructing and writing curriculum in a variety of experiential education settings.  Most recently, Ms. Hollis taught middle and high school field science at Teton Science Schools in Kelly, Wyoming.  She also completed graduate coursework through the University of Wyoming and Utah State University.  Ms. Hollis is excited to be at Peak to Peak!

 

Annissa Houser (French):  Ms. Houser is originally from France and moved to the United States in 1991. She completed her bachelor’s degree in tourism and resort management and, after developing a spa, she completed a long wished-for master’s in French language and literature at the University of Utah and began her teaching career. She taught French for three years at the University of Utah and for two years at Aspen High School. When she is not teaching, she loves to travel, hike, paint, ski and cook.     

 

Jennifer John (Orchestra):  Ms. John earned a bachelor’s degree with Dorothy Delay and Kurt Sassmannshaus at the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music and a master’s degree with Paul Kantor at the University of Michigan. Other education includes postgraduate study at Yale University, Lausanne Switzerland. Ms. John has published an article on Pilates/Ron Fletcher Work in the American String Teacher’s National String Journal and presented solo recitals, chamber music recitals, and workshops around the country including the Midwest Orchestra and Band Clinic, Chicago, MENC, Phoenix, and ASTA, Columbus, Ohio, and Denver, Colorado, and the New England Conservatory and the Interlochen Arts Academy.  

 

Jennifer Jouzdani (English):  Ms. Jouzdani received a secondary English teaching certificate from the University of Colorado at Boulder. After many years working as an event coordinator for the C.U. Athletic Department, she is thrilled to be working in the field for which she was trained. Currently, she and her husband Ali own a small used-car dealership in Boulder. Her eldest daughter, Ariana, is a seventh grader at Peak to Peak. Her passions are skiing, reading, and playing volleyball, and she has been fortunate to travel to Iran with her husband and children on two different occasions to visit her husband’s family.

 

Brian Knox (Science):  Mr. Knox earned a degree in earth and space science education and a master’s in educational psychology from the University of Wisconsin. He taught freshman physical science for five years in Oregon, Wisconsin, before moving to Colorado in January 2006. In the summers, Mr. Knox is the director of Summer Sports Camp at the Boulder East Recreational Center. In his spare time he enjoys watching the Badgers and Packers, hanging out with his wife and Boston terrier, and mountain biking on all of Colorado’s great trails. 

 

Jake Lehr (Math):  Mr. Lehr earned a degree in math education from University of Delaware.  Before moving to Colorado, he taught high school math for a year in Dover, Delaware.  Mr. Lehr spent six summers as a mountain biking instructor in both New Mexico and Maryland.  In his free time, he enjoys biking, snowboarding, hiking, reading and relaxing.

 

Karen Lenser (5th Grade Math and High School Health Education):  Before moving to Colorado with her family, Mrs. Lenser attended the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where she earned her elementary/middle school teaching degree and minor in health education. Mrs. Lenser then taught eighth grade in Wisconsin for nine years. This is Mrs. Lenser's third year at Peak to Peak, and she has one proud Puma of her own in elementary school. In her spare time, Mrs. Lenser enjoys reading, attending music concerts, and hiking along the beautiful Colorado trails with her family and dog.

 

Kristie Letter (English):  Ms. Letter received her B.A. in English literature and art from Swarthmore College. Before joining Peak to Peak in 2001, Ms. Betts taught literature at the University of Colorado for five years, during which time she earned an M.A. in English literature and completed the coursework required for a doctorate. She sponsors Peak to Peak's Writing Club and has published several short stories in literary journals. She has a daughter in elementary school at Peak to Peak.

 

Robert Letter (Math):  Mr. Letter graduated from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology and began his teaching career at Taos High School in Taos, New Mexico. He has taught algebra and geometry and has coached golf. He has three young children:  Shane, Briannah, and Kade. He enjoys sports, both as a participant and a spectator and is very excited about living in an area that offers both skiing and golf. 

 

Alyssa Marsh (1st Grade):  Ms. Marsh has a B.S. in environmental studies from S.U.N.Y. College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, New York, and an M.A. in elementary instruction and curriculum from the University of Colorado in Boulder. This is her third year teaching first grade at Peak to Peak. She loves living in Colorado and enjoys spending as much time as possible in the mountains. 

 

Andy Matthews (Spanish/World Language Chair):  Señor Matthews teaches Spanish 30 and AP Spanish Language. He graduated cum laude from Colorado State University with a B.S. in business administration and a second major in Spanish. He also holds a master's degree in multicultural and bilingual education from the University of Colorado. He has spent his past several summers doing community service work in Latin America, working for both Outward Bound and Global Works, as well as leading his own trips with his amazing Peak to Peak students. When not at school, Mr. Matthews can be found outdoors, usually on water, involving waterskiing, rafting, kayaking or snow skiing. He and his wife are the proud parents of a new baby boy.

 

Yolanda Meiler (Spanish):  Mrs. Meiler was born and raised in Cd. Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, were she received a degree in Law from the Autonomous University of Cd. Juarez in 1992. After living for almost three years in Germany, she and her husband moved to Massachusetts where Mrs. Meiler received her teaching certification and taught Spanish for four years at the high school level. She and her family have called Longmont their home town since 1999. Before joining Peak to Peak, Mrs. Meiler taught Spanish at The Rocky Mountain School for the Gifted and Creative in Boulder.

 

Eileen Miller (Science):  Ms. Miller completed her master’s degree in ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Colorado at Boulder in December 2003. While writing her thesis on the ecology of algae in alpine lakes, she began teaching at Peak to Peak in both the science and math departments during the 2003-2004 school year. After spending the following school year in Costa Rica teaching science and math to fifth through eighth graders, Ms. Miller returned to Peak to Peak to teach science full time, and is now starting her fourth year here. Apart from teaching honors chemistry and environmental science, she also enjoys playing bluegrass fiddle and singing, road biking, and watercolor painting.

 

Heather Mitchell (Art/HS Yearbook):  Ms. Mitchell is a graduate of The Ohio State University where she earned a B.A. in art education.  While at OSU, she took classes in fine arts and art history including digital art, photography, printmaking, painting, ceramics, and sculpture.  An avid traveler and cultural enthusiast, she studied abroad for six months in Florence, Italy, in the spring of 2005.  As a practicing professional artist, many of Ms. Mitchell's works now hang in local galleries around Columbus, Ohio. For the last year, Ms. Mitchell has focused on completing coursework for an M.A. in art education at The Ohio State University. Last year she also traveled to schools in Colorado in pursuit of fulfilling her teaching ambitions.  After talking to community members, parents, and students Ms. Mitchell knew that Peak to Peak Charter School would be a perfect fit.

 

Amanda Mitzel (Science):  Ms. Mitzel teaches eighth and ninth grade physical science and biology courses.  She earned a B.S. in biology at Colorado State University and an M.S. in education from the University of Phoenix.  After six years working for some of the premier biotechnology companies in the area, Ms. Mitzel is excited to convey her knowledge and enthusiasm about science with Peak to Peak students. In addition to teaching, Ms. Mitzel enjoys volleyball, skiing and world travel.

 

Paul Moore (3rd Grade):  Mr. Moore is a true native of Colorado.  He graduated from Metropolitan State College too many years ago to remember with degrees in elementary education and history. After a long side trip into the world of business he returned to education teaching history to secondary students. He has loved the move back to elementary and is enjoying all of the ins and outs of this new age range of students. He and his wife love to hike and travel, and they share their house with their two Chihuahuas.

 

Jeff Murray (Math):  Mr. Murray joined the Peak to Peak staff this year after teaching Mathematics and Science at Horizons K-8 Charter School in Boulder, CO for the two previous years.  He had previously worked in an engineering capacity in the Petroleum Industry and in the Semiconductor Manufacturing.  Mr. Murray earned an undergraduate degree from New York University and holds an associate membership from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.  He has two children of his own, one in sixth grade and the other in ninth grade.  Outside of school, he enjoys reading, cooking, exercise, and spending time with his family.

 

Christie Overmyer (1st Grade):  Ms. Overmyer recently graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a bachelor's degree in geography and a license in elementary education.  Ms. Overmyer has been active in community events in Coal Creek Canyon.  She graduated from Golden High School in 2003 and was awarded the "Intern of the Year Award" for her work in a fourth grade classroom.  During the 2005-2006 school year, Ms. Overmyer student taught with Ms. Christensen at Peak to Peak, and she is eager to continue as a first grade teacher.

Samantha Owen (Elementary Art):  Ms. Owen holds a B.F.A. in design and a minor in art history from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. This is her seventh year at Peak to Peak. Ms. Owen completed the Alternative Teacher Licensure (ATL) program and is licensed to teach kindergarten through twelfth grade art. She also teaches a craft class with the all-day kindergarteners. Her favorite hobbies are enjoying the outdoors with her children and pets, reading, gardening, baking and decorating cakes, and just general crafting. 

Susan Prieto (2nd Grade/K-2 Science and Math Team Leader):  Ms. Prieto graduated from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania with a B.S. in education, dually certified in elementary and special education. She has taught in a variety of special and elementary education positions for more than 20 years. She has worked at Peak to Peak since the inaugural year. Ms. Prieto enjoys book clubs, knitting, pottery, swimming, road and mountain bicycling, and cyclocross (ask her about that). 

 

Michael Puccio (Physical Education):  Mr. Puccio attended Colorado State University at Pueblo where he earned a B.A. in exercise science health promotion and recreation with a minor in coaching. Before coming to Peak to Peak, Mr. Puccio was a teacher at Flood Middle School in Englewood, Colorado, for one year. When Mr. Puccio is not at school, you can find him coaching junior varsity basketball for Stanley Lake High School along with a summer AAU team called the Colorado Chaos. Aside from coaching, Mr. Puccio plays professional basketball for the Colorado Crossover in the International Basketball League.

 

Clara Quinlan (English):  After receiving an M.F.A. in poetry and composition from the University of Montana, Ms. Quinlan continued her love for writing, teaching and the outdoors as an instructor for the University of Alaska-Anchorage.  She was compelled to give high school teaching a try when she was asked to start a Latin and Classic Studies program at a school in southern Florida.  Now, happy once more in the mountains, she stays active through triathlons, rock climbing and trail running with her two large dogs.  She is also a poet and essayist with publications in The Nebraska Review, The Amherst Review and Meridian.

 

Sandy Rea (Math):  Before joining the faculty of Peak to Peak, Ms. Rea taught math for two years at a charter school in Fort Collins and the previous two years in Palm Desert, California. After earning her degree in computer science, she worked as a software programmer in California for a few years but decided her heart was in teaching. She has also worked for four years with non-profit youth organizations. 

 

Maggie Remstad (4th Grade):  Ms. Remstad holds an M.Ed. in elementary education and a B.A. in anthropology and computer applications from the University of Notre Dame. Her previous experiences as an educator include teaching fifth grade to a diverse and multi-lingual group of students in the border region of Texas and instructing English as a foreign language to elementary students in Santiago, Chile.

 

Brian Rozinsky (English):  Mr. Rozinsky joined the Peak to Peak staff in 2003 and, since then, has taught grades six through twelve. This year, he proudly considers himself a middle-school teacher! Mr. Rozinsky earned an undergraduate degree in English and a teaching certificate from Princeton University in New Jersey, followed by an M.A. in English from Queens College in New York City. Growing up, he lived at a boarding school in Connecticut where both his parents taught. Other interesting trivia about Mr. Rozinsky includes that he once worked as a sportswriter, he loves to throw Frisbees, and he enjoys procrastinating in the kitchen.

 

Jill Ryerson (Math):  Ms. Ryerson was born and raised in Washington, DC. She earned a degree in mathematics and visual art from Brown University in 2000. Prior to joining the staff at Peak to Peak in 2005, she taught middle school math in Denver from 2001 to 2005. When she is not working at Peak to Peak, you can find Ms. Ryerson playing bluegrass music, making pottery, or enjoying the Colorado outdoors (usually with her dog, Molly). Ms. Ryerson is currently working on a master’s degree in math education at the University of Colorado.

 

Michele Sachs (French):  Ms. Sachs was born and raised in Paris, where she studied French history and geography at the University of the Sorbonne. She was admitted to Cornell University on a research fellowship and was offered a position as a lecturer in the romance studies department for two years, which is where she met her husband, Robert. She taught French for five years at a preparatory school in the San Francisco Bay area, after which she moved back to her native France with her husband and worked as a journalist and translator while raising two children. In 2006, the time was right for her to jump back into the world of teaching, and she was pleased to find a school environment like Peak to Peak. She is enjoying another experience in America with her family and especially in this beautiful part of the country.

 

Grant Safranek (Science):  Before coming to Peak to Peak, Mr. Safranek taught science at Alexander Dawson School, where he led community service and experimental education trips. He has also conducted ecological research for Indiana University and the Council for International Educational Exchange in Costa Rica.  Mr. Safranek holds a B.A. in biology from Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio.

 

LeeAnne Sanders (Spanish):   Ms. Sanders is a native of Missouri where she received her bachelor’s degree in Spanish and a minor in German from Truman State University.  She began teaching Spanish at Kirkwood High School in St. Louis, Missouri, and completed her master’s in teaching at Lindenwood University.  Ms. Sanders has spent a great deal of time traveling through Latin America, leading and translating trips for both students and adults as well as doing volunteer work in Mexico during summer breaks.  Ms. Sanders and her husband moved to Denver in the summer of 2007. 

 

Kim Saporito (Art):  Ms. Saporito holds a B.F.A. in fine arts from Cornell University, an M.Arch. in architecture and an architectural license. She taught at the University of Colorado for 15 years and also taught as a visiting professor at Cornell University, Yale University and the Danish Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen. She founded a Rome Study Abroad program for college students where she taught urban design, art, architecture and landscape design. She currently sponsors a program for middle and high school students in Italy.

 

Kurt Schaefer (Science/Forensics):  After receiving his undergraduate education in biochemistry at Swarthmore College, Mr. Schaefer came to the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he completed the coursework for his Ph.D. He has taught science at both the university and secondary levels and conducted research into the three-dimensional structure of RNA.

 

Catherine Schyling (Social Studies):  Ms. Schyling joined the Peak to Peak social studies department after teaching history, philosophy and humanities at the community college level for 12 years. She has a B.A. in philosophy from the University of Colorado at Boulder. While at Front Range Community College, she was awarded the Master Adjunct Faculty Award for outstanding leadership and teaching and was nominated for the statewide Distance Educator of the Year. She was recognized in the 2000 and 2004 editions of Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, following nomination for inclusion by former students at Front Range and Peak to Peak.   

 

Lisa Seeberger (Kindergarten):  Ms. Seeberger has been teaching for over eight years; her passion is teaching young children.  She started at Peak to Peak four years ago as a literacy and math paraprofessional and first grade assistant.  For the last three years, she has taught kindergarten enrichment.  This year she is teaching the all day kindergarten class, something she has wanted to do for a long time.  She also coaches the varsity cheer squad.  She enjoys working with “both ends of the spectrum” at Peak to Peak.  Her three children also attend Peak to Peak.

 

Kristina Shelton (Health/Physical Education):  Ms. Shelton graduated from Penn State University with a B.S. in kinesiology. She taught physical and health education for three years in the Philadelphia School District before moving to Boulder in the summer of 2005.  In addition to teaching middle school health and physical education at Peak to Peak, Ms. Shelton also coaches the junior varsity boys' basketball team.

 

Justin Silcox (Science): Mr. Silcox holds a B.S. in wildlife biology from the University of Vermont and an M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction from Montana State University, Bozeman. He taught high school science at Cherry Creek High School before coming to Peak to Peak. Before his teaching career, Mr. Silcox spent many summers working as a research assistant for several universities (including Vermont, Wyoming, and Wisconsin) in field ornithology, while spending winters as a cross country ski racing coach for a number of organizations including the Jackson Hole Ski Club, Bridger Ski Foundation, Mansfield Nordic Club and Boulder Nordic Junior Racing Team.

 

Scott Smith (Social Studies):  Scott Smith is in his first year at Peak to Peak.  He is teaching AP and Standard Government and AP and Standard Human Geography.  He is also coaching soccer, and is the High School Student Council Adviser.  Scott previously taught Social Studies and English at Monument Academy High School in Monument, CO.  At Monument Academy he was in charge of the Student Council and Boys Varsity Basketball coach.  He attended The Ohio State University and Ashland University.  He has a Bachelors degree in Secondary Education with minors in Social Studies and English.  He is married and has a 4 year old son.   Scott enjoys sports, reading, spending time with his family and Ohio State football.

 

Adam Spicer (Band):  Mr. Spicer holds a B.A. in music education, specializing in K-12 instrumental, from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Prior to arriving at Peak to Peak in 2005, Mr. Spicer taught instrumental music for four years at both the elementary and middle school levels in Lincoln, Nebraska. After moving to Colorado in 2004, he taught general and instrumental music at Lake Middle School. Mr. Spicer believes that music is important to a student’s development, and he enjoys encouraging and helping students push themselves to reach their potential. 

 

Haviland Staggers (Social Studies):  Ms. Staggers completed her B.A. in history at Mount Holyoke College and coursework at the University of Montana. Before joining the Peak to Peak staff in 2002, she taught middle school for five years at the Hockaday School in Texas and the Bancroft School in Massachusetts. She has also been involved in experiential education programs focusing on cross-cultural learning, carpentry and outdoor education on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. Ms. Staggers was named “2005 Colorado Middle School Teacher of the Year“ by the Colorado League of Charter Schools and she was recognized in the 2006 edition of Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.   

 

Kim Struck (Math):  Ms. Struck is joining the Peak to Peak staff as a new middle school math teacher.  She is from Minnesota and attended St. Olaf College where she graduated with a B.A. in math and chemistry.  After college, Ms. Struck joined the Peace Corps and taught math and chemistry in Tanzania, East Africa.  She returned from Africa and earned an M.A. in secondary education from Indiana University.  Somehow, in the process of world travel and education, Ms. Struck managed to find a wonderful husband and produce a couple of incredible children.  She is excited to be working at Peak to Peak!

 

Michelle Sugden (Spanish):  Ms. Sugden graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a B.S. in secondary education and Spanish. As part of her coursework, she taught Spanish at the middle and high school levels. Immediately after graduation, she participated in an 81-day Outward Bound leadership semester. This incredible experience solidified her love for the outdoors. She has substitute taught in the Denver Public Schools, volunteered as a naturalist at the Lookout Mountain Nature Center and worked with Latino youth for the City of Boulder Parks and Recreation Program.

 

Tammy Trasky (3rd Grade):  Ms. Trasky attended Grand Valley State University in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she graduated with a B.S. in group science, focusing on geology and elementary education. Most recently before coming to Peak to Peak, Ms. Trasky was at the Shanghai American School in Shanghai, China.  In Shanghai she taught second grade to a diverse group of students from around the world.  During her stay in China, she trekked all over Asia learning about many different cultures and traditions. She hopes to continue with an M.A.in literacy at the University of Colorado at Boulder. 

 

Michelle Tucker (Spanish):  Ms. Tucker graduated cum laude with a B.A. in Spanish and Latin American studies and a minor in geography and environmental studies from Ohio University in 1999. She received the 1998-1999 Ohio University Outstanding Bachelor of Arts Graduate in International Studies award.  Upon graduation, she completed a fellowship in Mexico with the Population Institute and worked for an international development project in Washington, D.C. While living in D.C., she volunteered for the Great Apes House at the National Zoo. This experience led her to a career in education. Since 2001, Ms. Tucker has worked in the environmental education field, including at an astronomy camp and a zoo camp. Most recently, Ms. Tucker taught for an urban wildlife education program at the Denver Zoo, where she taught many of her classes in Spanish. Ms. Tucker has a variety of interests and a passion for learning new things.

 

Laura Vinger (English):  Ms. Vinger comes to Peak to Peak with six years of prior teaching experience in her home state of Minnesota. She earned an B.A. in secondary and middle school English education from Minnesota State University—Mankato in 2000. Her interests are varied and include strength training, reading, writing poetry, hiking, biking, and watching football. Ms. Vinger has participated in many charity bike rides and running adventures. When not spending weekends with her boyfriend, she can be found traveling back to Minnesota to visit her family that includes a newly married sister and two beautiful and intelligent nieces.

 

Kate Weatherbee (Social Studies):  Ms. Weatherbee received a B.A. in world history and secondary education and obtained her teaching certification from the University of Northern Colorado in 2000, where she also served as director of the international film series. She was subsequently awarded a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship, which she used to obtain an M.A. in international affairs from the Australian National University in Canberra in 2002. Since 1996, Ms. Weatherbee has worked on and off for the Frontiers of Science Institute and the Colorado Upward Bound Math and Science program at University of Northern Colorado.

 

Elizabeth Westerfield (Theatre):  Ms. Westerfield has taught everything from theatre to science, math, social studies and more.  Prior to teaching in the classroom, Ms. Westerfield taught classes in alternative settings such as The Audubon Society and The National Zoo.  Even though she carries a love of math and science and holds an M.S. in environmental science from Johns Hopkins University, her true love (and first love) is theatre.  She attended Ohio Wesleyan University on a theatre scholarship and majored with a B.A. in theatre in 1991.  When she is not teaching or directing a show, she is serving on the board of directors for Coal Creek Community Theater, working on a theatre production somewhere in the Denver metro area, enjoying riding her horse or walking her dogs in the crisp Colorado countryside. 

 

April Wilkin (4th Grade/Elementary Language Arts Team Leader):  Mrs. Wilkin graduated from Miami University of Ohio with a B.S. in early childhood education in 2003. She is in her fifth year of teaching fourth grade and her fourth year at Peak to Peak.  Mrs. Wilkin recently received an M.A. at the University of Colorado at Boulder in literacy K-12. She is now pursuing a principal license through the University of Colorado at Denver. She is also the literacy team leader for the upper elementary school and the elementary student council co-sponsor. Outside of school, she and her husband Josh, a math teacher at Silvercreek High School, enjoy hiking, skiing, and playing with their dogs, Bailey and Emma.

 

Cynthia Wilondek (Social Studies):  Ms. Wilondek graduated from Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana, with a history and political science education degree. She spent the first two years after college as a professor in southern Japan. It was there that she discovered a love of sushi and an appreciation for air-conditioning! She returned to the States to pursue a master in the arts of teaching degree at Brown University. Prior to joining Peak to Peak, she worked at a boarding school in the English countryside.  

 

Kelsey Witkiewicz (5th Grade):  Mrs. Witkiewicz graduated from Siena College, located in Albany, New York, with a B.A. in psychology in May 2004.  She completed a master in the arts of teaching in July 2005 at Northeastern University in Boston. She enjoys running, hiking, camping, and relaxing with her new family: her husband, John, and dog, Norbu.

 

Jewel Wolfe (Music):  Ms. Wolfe grew up with music. Like any good North Dakota girl, she faithfully watched Lawrence Welk every Saturday night, as well as sang and played piano with her parents. In elementary school she realized that, if she were to become a music teacher, she could play the tambourine whenever she wanted to, and so she pursued that career, earning a B.M.E. from Wheaton College in Illinois. Ms. Wolfe taught kindergarten through sixth grade music in a suburban Chicago school district for 10 years until her first child was born. She continued to volunteer to teach music and lead children’s choirs until she came on staff at Peak to Peak in 2004. Ms. Wolfe sings with the Cantabile Singers in Boulder, and she enjoys biking, hiking, and reading. Her oldest son, Jon, graduated from Peak to Peak in 2006, and now attends his mother’s alma mater. Andrew and Hannah are Peak to Peak high school students and involved in the band program. 

 

 

 


Staff

 

Jennifer Barker (Counselor):  Ms. Barker never imagined that bringing an end her 17 years as a music therapist could have been met with such a phenomenal new beginning as joining the staff at Peak to Peak.  She is grateful for the opportunity to be a counselor here, and humbled by depth of knowledge, care, and hard work that precedes her in making this a wonderful place to be.  She was raised in New Mexico and spent her work life in Arizona and Colorado.  She lives life with a lot of hope exemplified each summer by her belief