Dana Wade
Dana began her journey as an elementary teacher at Colorado State University, majoring in Human Development & Family Studies as well as Early Childhood Education. Through this program, Dana became infatuated with the human brain, the ways humans develop, and the external forces that surround every child every day. Typically, an education student chooses a […]
Grace Downs
Grace, originally from Indianapolis, earned her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and Mild Intervention at Butler University. She taught Kindergarten, 1st Grade, and K-3 Special Education in Indianapolis for four years before relocating to Denver, where she currently teaches Kindergarten. Grace’s teaching philosophy centers on viewing all children as curious, capable, and creative individuals. She […]
Kelly Hansen
Kelly is proud of a decade-long career as a tutor and elementary teacher in Denver, showcasing her versatility across various grade levels. Her teaching journey spans four years in second grade, followed by three years in third grade, and, most recently, three years in Kindergarten. Graduating with a double major in Communications and Sociology from […]
Tracy Loftis
Tracy, a Colorado native with 35 years of experience working with children, has dedicated 31 years to the classroom setting. She holds a B.S. from the University of North Texas, majoring in general and special education with a minor in mathematics—an area she is particularly passionate about. Tracy’s teaching journey spans grades preschool through eighth, […]
Bryan Van Norden
Bryan brings a rich mix of education and experience, holding a Master of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of New Mexico and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Bowling Green State University. With teaching licenses for both Colorado and New Mexico, he has taught in various locations, including New Hampshire, […]
Carissa Pierce
Carissa holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado, where she initially ventured into Chemistry before making a significant shift to graduate with a degree in Graphic Design and a minor in Music and Art History. Following this, she pursued her passion for education and obtained a master’s degree in education from the […]
Marilyn Hartzell
Originally from Maryland (go Ravens!), Marilyn has called Colorado home for the past 7 years. Specializing in mathematics, she currently oversees math curriculum for middle grades and serves as an instructional coach. Marilyn’s teaching journey has formally covered grades 5-8 in mathematics, but her tutoring expertise extends from 1st grade to 9th grade, encompassing math, […]
Laurie Orsic
Laurie Orsic, a certified Elementary Montessori teacher, holds a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education (0-8) from The College of New Jersey. With over 25 years of experience in schools, Laurie has served in various roles as both a teacher and administrator. She has undertaken extensive professional development, participating in programs such as Reading Assist […]
Nadine Penn
Nadine’s dedication to becoming a teacher traces back to her upbringing in a small town near Rochester, NY. From kindergarten onwards, she harbored a passion for education, solidifying her commitment through summer work with preschoolers with Autism and middle schoolers facing various disabilities. Graduating from Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA, Nadine holds a Bachelor’s degree […]
Kelly Ettinger
Kelly, originally from Cleveland, Ohio, holds a degree in English from Franklin and Marshall College and a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Northern Colorado. Kelly previously worked at Wilson Language Training before formally beginning her teaching career. Now in her 5th year of teaching, Kelly currently serves as the MTSS and […]
