Mia Phillips

Preschool Director

Phone Ext: 1503

Jill Beattie

Preschool Teacher

Phone Ext: 1206

Jill Beattie is a Colorado native.  She began working with young children in the mid 1970’s when she was a children’s ski instructor at Winter Park Ski Area, and she has never tired of it. She studied Early Childhood Education and Music in college. She has worked with young children in daycare centers, Catholic Traditional and Montessori School, church nurseries, The Classical Academy, and The YMCA. She loves incorporating music and movement into the daily routine, and accompany the children on guitar, ukulele, dulcimer, autoharp and keyboard.

Ashley Kjellson

Preschool Teacher

Phone Ext: 1206

Amber Newell

Preschool Teacher

Phone Ext. 1208

My name is Amber Newell. I’m a native to beautiful Colorado. I graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a B.S. in Community Health and Health Education. I have spent 18 years teaching in Colorado, and eight of those years have been in Early Childhood Education. (My sweet spot)! I live in a rural location in Larkspur with my husband Richard. We have two children in high school. My daughter will be a Freshman, and my son is a Junior.

I enjoy the outside and playing with all my animals. Four dogs, chickens, and my neighbors horses! I love to paint, and garden in my spare time. My favorite thing however, is to make a difference in children’s lives, helping them to grow and feel successful.

Marissa Seabolt

Preschool Teacher

Phone Ext: 1206

Marissa Seabolt was born in West Virginia in 1969. She has lived the majority of her life in Southeastern states including Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and Virginia before moving to Colorado in 2012. You might still catch a bit of a southern accent when she says “hi y’all”. She earned her undergraduate degree from Auburn University where she met her husband. She received her Master’s degree in Education from the University of Montevallo in 1993. After graduate school, she taught kindergarten and 4th grade before having her first child. She was blessed to stay home for 12 years while her 4 children were young before going back to teaching in 2009. She taught 5th and 6th grade in Georgia before coming to Monument Academy in 2013. She is happy to be teaching in a Character First school where she feels her heart and passion for reaching children is best served. She stays busy shuttling her children around to their various activities when she isn’t busy at school! She also enjoys hiking and skiing in the beautiful Colorado terrain with her family and dogs.

Dee Adelgren

Preschool Para

Jessica Alafat

Preschool Para

April Crews

Preschool Para

Paula Stwertnik

Preschool Para

Sandy Ward

Kindergarten Lead Teacher

Phone Ext: 1205

Sandy Ward was born in New Orleans, LA and spent most of her childhood years living in Marble Falls, TX. She graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Studies in 1996 from Texas Tech University. Sandy has been married to her college sweetheart, Eric Ward for nineteen years. Eric and Sandy moved to Colorado Springs in 1996. Their children, Megan, Ethan, and Zachary, have all attended Monument Academy since kindergarten. Sandy worked in the IT industry for ten years before she decided to stay at home with her children for a season. She began volunteering at Monument Academy when her daughter began kindergarten in 2004. Over the past eleven years, Sandy has spent many hours serving Monument Academy as a parent volunteer, room mom, PTO Treasurer, Special Education Paraprofessional, Grade Level Paraprofessional, Grade Level Teacher, and currently as the Lead Fifth Grade Teacher. During this time at Monument Academy, Sandy attended courses through the University of Northern Colorado and graduated with her Master’s Degree of Science with an emphasis in Elementary Education in 2012. Sandy is truly passionate about teaching and enjoys celebrating “light bulb” moments with all of her students. In her free-time, Sandy enjoys watching her children play competitive soccer, camping and hiking throughout our beautiful state.

Jody Council

Phone Ext: 1202

Deborah Hulting

Kindergarten Teacher

Phone Ext: 1203

Deborah Hulting is a native of Baltimore, Maryland.  She spent ten years in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, before returning to Maryland for college.  She graduated with a B.A. in Elementary Education from Loyola University of Maryland in 1994.  Her graduate work includes Special Education, Reading, and Science Education from Loyola, Towson, and University of Maryland.  She taught fourth and second grade levels in the Baltimore County School District for eight years prior to staying home full time to start a family in 2002.  Deborah returned to teaching as a Substitute Teacher and Young Rembrandts Art teacher for two years, then began teaching Kindergarten in 2016 at Monument Academy.  She has been a parent and volunteer at MA since 2007, and has enjoyed seeing all the changes and growth in this wonderful school over the years.  Her outside interests include watching her three children play lacrosse, hiking, biking, and sewing.  Deborah has a heart for teaching and nurturing her students.  She dedicates herself to getting to know students’ strengths and interests, in order to build a confident learner in each one of them.

Vanessa Miller

Kindergarten Teacher

Phone Ext: 1201

Mrs. Miller is a graduate of Regis University and has several years of experience working with and teaching children.  She has been teaching Kindergarten at Monument Academy since 2013 and has three children who also attend the school. Prior to teaching, Mrs. Miller has spent time in the technology industry working for MCI and EDS.  A Colorado native and daughter of a military family Vanessa has spent time all over the world but considers Colorado home.  Outside of teaching, Mrs. Miller enjoys camping, fly fishing, skiing and spending time with her family.  Mrs. Miller’s goal as a teacher is to create a safe and warm environment in which your children will want to learn, discover, grow, laugh, and enjoy themselves.

Desiree Coppock

Kindergarten Para

Kate Gosling

Kindergarten Para

Kate Gosling graduated from Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington with a B.A. in Elementary Education and received her M.A. in Education from City University in Seattle, Washington. She has taught Kindergarten, Special Education, first grade, and pre-K students for 27 years.  She has worked at Monument Academy since 2012.

Kate and her husband Mark have been Monument residents for 15 years. They have a son and daughter who joined their family through adoption from Russia in 2007.  Kate’s interests include reading, singing, sewing, cross stitch, traveling, enjoying the outdoors, learning Russian, and going to Russia once a year to work with orphans, including her family’s sponsor children.

Jodie Neher

Kindergarten Para

Lori Smith

Kindergarten Para

Lori Smith grew up in Littleton, Colorado and received a bachelors degree in biology from Colorado State University. She worked in bone research for ten years and then twelve years as a full-time mother. She has been working in Kindergarten at Monument Academy since 2011. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and sewing.

Willa Pendleton

First Grade Lead Teacher

Phone Ext: 1213

Willa Pendleton was born in Topeka, Kansas at Scott Force Base and has lived in Washington, New Mexico, Illinois, and Colorado.  She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Northern Colorado with a minor in Sociology.  Her graduate work focuses on Curriculum and Instruction and Reading.

She initially taught 1^st and 2^nd grade then spent a few years homeschooling and raising her four children. Three of them later entered the private Christian school that she and her husband established. During her time in Illinois and Colorado she was the Director of Pre-school and Elementary programs and organized and directed Children’s musicals.  She was also a Director and teacher of Women’s study groups.  She has taken numerous trips overseas, with her husband, to Europe, Asia, India, and South America visiting and teaching in training schools.

Willa has been teaching 1^st grade at Monument Academy since 2003.  She loves helping her students develop their skills, become good readers, and enjoy learning. She enjoys decorating, gardening, baking, and spending time with family, as well as enjoying the wonderful mountains of Colorado.

Laura Barrette

First Grade Teacher

Phone Ext: 1209

Kyle Hall

First Grade Teacher

Phone Ext: 1207

Mrs. Hall was born in Dallas, TX and grew up in Los Gatos, CA, in a family of six children. She earned a Music degree at Texas Christian University, with a minor in French. Mrs. Has been married to her husband Kevin for 37 years. They have two wonderful daughters, Jennie and Sarah, and six wonderful grandchildren. After moving to Colorado in 1987, Mrs. Hall continued in post grad classes to earn her Colorado teaching license. Mrs. Hall has taught in Colorado charter schools since 1997, grades K-3. Mrs. Hall has been at MA since 2016, and she is super happy to be teaching her favorite grade this year, 1st grade. In addition to teaching, Mrs. Hall is a musician, having performed and recorded harp, piano, guitar, and singing, for just about her whole life. She loves to bring music into the classroom as part of learning fun, in addition to lots of movement. Mrs. Hall especially loves getting to know and love each of her students and their families. When Mrs. Hall isn’t teaching children, she is happy spending time with her family–playing, singing, walking, hiking, reading, and traveling. Mrs. Hall loves to travel and has enjoyed times in Japan, Taiwan, Germany, and France. She hopes to travel to Europe again and again in the future!

Meghan Leach

First Grade Teacher

Phone Ext: 1211

Meghan Leach started teaching at Monument Academy in 2018. However, she was a first grade para for two years from 2015-2017 while she worked on her teaching degree. She student taught in 5^th grade at MA at the end of the 2017-2018 school year. Additionally, Meghan attended Monument Academy as a student from 2^nd-7^th grade, while her dad worked as facilities director/tech extraordinaire, and her mom was PTO Treasurer, President, and the athletic director (not all at the same time!). She jokes that she has lived most of her life at MA.

Meghan graduated from Western Governors University with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (K-8) in April 2018. She adores her fantastic five sisters and generous parents, her cat (Cole), art, music, laughter, and anything to do with sunshine and outside (hence the yellow classroom). Her life goals are to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly. She is excited to come “full circle” at MA and to finally be doing what she is so incredibly passionate about.

Mary Davis

First Grade Para

Mary is very excited to be at Monument Academy this year having just retired from eighteen years of full-time teaching! She has taught pre-school, kindergarten and second grade in New Jersey, Dallas and District 20. Mary has also been an assistant for five years in lower elementary programs in two different Montessori schools in Dallas.

Focusing on her area of interests, Mary earned a B.A. in Elementary Education/Developmental Psychology from Briarcliff College in N.Y. as well as half a master’s degree in counseling from Amberton University in TX. She also had an amazing adventure in England at the University of London’s Goldsmith College studying Elementary Education/Literacy for her junior year in college.

Growing up in New Jersey, Mary spent much time on a farm with lots of animal friends! She loves to read, play her guitar, tell stories, write, knit and spend time with family and friends. She also has two sons; Paul and Mark. Paul is a lawyer in Dallas, and Mark is a therapist at Oregon State University.
Her passion is bringing a heart of love and joy to children and others!

Evangeline Rouleau-Glen

First Grade Para

Kelly Sigfrids

Second Grade Lead Teacher

Phone Ext: 1217

Kelly is an old face around Monument Academy. She has served on the PTO board in the roles of fundraising coordinator, vice-president and president. She has also volunteered in her kids’ classes in Preschool, Pre-K, Kindergarten, First grade, Second grade, and Third grade. She has worked at Monument Academy as a para for the Third grade, Pre-K, and student taught in Fourth grade. She has been teaching Second grade since 2013. She is married and has two boys that attend Monument Academy. She has lived in Colorado since 2000.

Kelly went to school in St. Louis, MO at Missouri Baptist University and has a B.A. in Religious Education and a Minor in Sociology and Psychology. She also has Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from UNC Greeley. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, sewing, reading, biking and just basking in the sun!

Megan Cooke

Second Grade Teacher

Phone Ext: 1223

Kim LoBosco

Second Grade Teacher

Phone Ext: 1219

Kim LoBosco was born in Glenwood Springs, Colorado and grew up on the Western Slope.  She graduated with an associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Kim has been a resident of Monument, CO since 2002. She enjoys spending time with her family and taking hikes and long walks with their pets.

Mrs. LoBosco started teaching at M.A. in 2007.  She loves M.A. because it feels like a family.

Lindsey Lokowich

Second Grade Teacher

Phone Ext: 1221

Mrs. Lokowich was born and raised in the state of Louisiana, so her y’all is truly authentic.  She attended Louisiana Tech University and received a BS in Finance as well as a MBA.  She worked for several years for JP Morgan Chase Bank and then had the opportunity to be a stay at home mom when her twins were born.  In addition to the twins, she and her husband, Luke, have a daughter who is attending UNC in Greeley.  When her husband retired from the military three years ago, they chose to make Colorado their home after 7 military assignments.  Mrs. Lokowich began working at Monument Academy in 2016.  She has served as an ESS para and two years as the second grade para.  Mrs. Lokowich is also a sports enthusiast!  She loves watching her kids play sports, and you can often find her sporting purple and gold during college football season – Go Tigers!

Ruth Piotrowski

Second Grade Para

“Mrs. Pio” was born at a Fort Carson hospital and lived in Colorado Springs, Germany, and Oklahoma before the Army moved her family back to Colorado Springs. She graduated from Cheyenne Mountain High School in 1996 and then graduated in 2000 from Adams State College in Alamosa, CO, with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She and Mr. Pio met in Monument at Camp Ponderosa in 1999 and married in 2002. They lived in Mississippi, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Texas, Vermont, and New York with the Air Force and with church ministry, have 3 wonderful children (Lydia, Mayah, and Joel), and are so happy to be back in Monument (since 2016)! Mrs. Pio loves giving help and encouragement to both kids and teachers and considers it an honor and a joy to serve as a para at MA!

Britany Blair

Third Grade Lead Teacher

Phone Ext: 1105

Britany Blair was born and raised in Virginia, the only daughter of a Navy Master Chief. She became a Colorado resident in 2010, and has enjoyed every moment since. Britany received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education in 2015. Britany completed her student teaching at MA in 2015. She has been with MA ever since. She has always enjoyed working with kids, but finds herself happiest with third graders. Britany loves the students, families, staff and overall atmosphere MA provides on a daily basis. Britany can often be found spending time with her son Owen, trying fun new restaurants in the area, playing with her two Great Danes, or simply relaxing with a good book.

Jamie DeAngelo

Third Grade Teacher

Phone Ext: 1103

Krystina DiFabio

Third Grade Teacher

Phone Ext: 1101

Krystina has lived in Colorado Springs almost all of her life. She received her elementary education degree and Master’s degree in gifted education from the University of Northern Colorado in 2010 and 2017, respectively. She taught second grade for seven years, was involved with the gifted department for three, and is now taking on the adventure of teaching third grade. When she is not teaching, Krystina loves to read, watch movies, travel, and spoil her niece and nephew. She hopes to one day teach in Europe.

Paula Knepper

Third Grade Teacher

Phone Ext: 1107

Paula Knepper grew up in Midland, TX. She studied Education, Dance and History at Texas Tech University. (Go Red Raiders!) Paula received her Bachelors Degree in 1994.She spent four years in south Texas teaching high school Dance and History. From there she moved to Virginia where she spent time managing continuing education for a professional association.  The Kneppers moved to Colorado in 2007 and loves the mountains, snow and beautiful scenery that abounds. Paula was lucky enough to spend many years at home with her girls being a mom. She joined MA in 2013 as the third grade Para. In 2016, Paula joined the third grade teaching team. Paula believes that third graders are the best and loves spending the day hearing their questions and stories.

Ruth DiFabio

Third Grade Para

Carol Thomas

Fourth Grade Lead Teacher

Phone Ext: 1113

Carol Thomas was born in CA but moved all over as the daughter of a Navy captain and wife of an Air Force navigator. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Virginia Tech. Carol taught 3rd grade for 2 years in the Philippines. After spending time at home with her two sons, she began teaching at Monument Academy in 1996, the first year it opened. She taught 4th and 5th grade for 7 years and then left teaching to spend time at home with her daughter. Carol returned to MA in 2008, back in 4th grade. She loves the families, students, and curriculum at MA. Carol and her family have lived in Monument for 19 years. When she’s not teaching, Carol loves to read, hike, and camp with her family.

Andrea Dickey

Fourth Grade Teacher

Phone Ext: 1111

Mrs. Dickey has been teaching for 14 years in both Colorado Springs and Monument. She has a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Colorado and a dual teaching license in both Elementary Education and Secondary Science. She has experience teaching kindergarten, fourth grade, and 6th – 8th grade math and science. The 2017-2018 school year will be Mrs. Dickey’s 5th year teaching at MA. She is a Colorado native and enjoys hiking, singing, photography, and spending time with her husband, two daughters, and two dogs.

Joy Maddox

Fourth Grade Teacher

Phone Ext: 1109

Joy began teaching first grade at Monument Academy in 2001.  The following year she moved to second grade and is currently teaching kindergarten.  She was born and raised in Arkansas and graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a BSE in elementary education.  Joy has two adult children, a son pursuing a PhD at the University of Wisconsin and a daughter working on a Master’s degree in education from Ole Miss while teaching high school Spanish at an underserved school in Mississippi.   Joy loves spending time with friends and family, reading, and enjoying the great outdoors of our beautiful state.  Her favorite thing about teaching at Monument Academy are the relationships she has made with children, parents, and coworkers.

Yvette Throgmorton

Fourth Grade Teacher

Phone Ext: 1115

Yvette Throgmorton started teaching 4^th grade at Monument Academy in 2015.   Yvette was born and raised in Northern California.  She moved to Colorado in 1996 on a softball scholarship to play for UCCS.  After marrying her college sweetheart, they moved around with the Army and have lived in GA, TN, and TX.   Yvette graduated from Austin Peay State University with a B.S. in Corporate Communications with a minor in Marketing.  She received her Teaching License EC-6^th grade from the state of Texas.  While living in Texas, Yvette taught Kindergarten and First grade.   After staying home with her boys for five years, her family moved back to Colorado and she began teaching Kindergarten again.  Yvette is very honored to be teaching at Monument Academy.  Her passion is to help children grow and develop to their full potential and become lifelong learners. Aside from teaching Yvette enjoys camping, hiking, boating, traveling, and photography.

Sandy Coyne

Fourth Grade Para

Eric Hutto

Fifth Grade Lead Teacher

Phone Ext: 1123

Eric Hutto graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a Bachelor’s degree in History and Economics in 2012. After working in the government sector, he decided to go back to school and pursue a teaching career. He started teaching at Monument Academy in 2014 after graduating from the University of Northern Colorado with a Master’s degree in Elementary Education.  Eric was honored to receive the El Paso Teacher of the Year from the VFW in 2015 for his history lessons. In his free time, Eric enjoys hiking, learning, traveling, discovering new craft breweries, and cooking.

Brianne Baranski

Fifth Grade Teacher

Phone Ext: 1125

Brianne Baranski was born in Pueblo, Colorado.  When she was four years old, she moved to the city of Colorado Springs, where she lives today.  She graduated with a Bachelors degree from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs in 2006 with a major in History and a minor in Geography.  After college, Brianne was an assistant teacher for students with Autism in Falcon District 49.  In 2009, she left that position to raise two children, Isabella and Baron.  Brianne has been married to her husband, Brian since 2007.  As a family, they love family road trips, playing board games, and walking their family dog,Gizmo.

In June 2018, Brianne obtained her Masters of Elementary Education degree from the University of Northern Colorado.  She is excited to be at Monument Academy, as a 5th grade teacher.

Dana Caplinger

Fifth Grade Teacher

Phone Ext: 1119

Dana Caplinger is a native Coloradan, but spent some of her childhood years living in Fairbanks, Alaska due to her father’s service in the Army. She graduated in 2008 from the University of Colorado with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English with an emphasis in Elementary Education.

Dana began teaching fifth grade at Monument Academy in 2015, and before that taught both third and fourth grade. In addition to teaching fifth grade, she is also one of the Battle of the Books coaches. Her favorite subjects to teach are History and Reading.

Dana and her husband, Robbie, love to travel, watch hockey, and spend time with their friends and family. Outside the classroom, Dana also enjoys reading, watching movies, shopping, hiking, and playing with her two cats, Izzy and Bella.

Kate Heinz

Fifth Grade Teacher

Phone Ext: 1112

Mrs. Heinz joined the fifth grade team at Monument Academy in 2016. She has been teaching since 2000, including fourth grade for twelve years, sixth grade outdoor education, and substitute teaching. She graduated from Dordt College with a double major in Elementary Education and Environmental Studies. In 2005, she received a Masters of Organizational Leadership from Chapman University. Mrs. Heinz grew up in Colorado. After living in California for fifteen years, she and her husband moved back to Colorado to be near family.  She enjoys waterskiing, kayaking, reading, and hiking with their dog, Roxy.

Joanne Harris

Fifth Grade Para

Karina Lee

Fifth Grade Para

Kim Cavanagh

Teacher: Response to Intervention (RtI)

Phone Ext: 1117

Mrs. Cavanagh lives in Castle Rock, but is originally from California. While living in Southern California, she taught for 11 years before moving with her family to Colorado in 2006. She took a year off from teaching to get her family settled in their new life in Colorado and then returned to teaching for Douglas County School District. In 2010, she completed her Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction: Reading from Grand Canyon University. After nine years of teaching in Douglas County, she chose to join the Monument Academy family in 2017 to teach first grade. She now works with students in all grades as a literacy specialist in the RtI department.

Sandra Wood

RtI Specialist

Phone Ext: 1817

Sandra Wood was born in Colorado in 1972. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado in 1994 with a major in Sociology and a minor in Psychology. After college, Sandra married and worked for a non-profit organization assisting children and their families. After having two children, Sandra pursued her Master’s in Education. She graduated from Regis University in 2012. Mrs. Wood has enjoyed teaching at Monument Academy since 2012.

Jim Cunningham

Counselor

Phone Ext: 1722

Jim Cunningham is a licensed school counselor and a Licensed Professional Counselor. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS). He holds Masters Degrees in Counseling from UCCS and Public Relations from the University of Florida. Jim retired from the Air Force in 2013 after a 24-year career. He is married and has a son and daughter. Jim has been with Monument Academy since 2013.

Phyllis McComb

Counselor

Phone Ext. 1722

Phyllis and her husband Sean moved to Colorado Springs in 2012 with their three children and rescue dog. When she is not working, you will find her making memories with family, vacationing in the mountains, binge watching Netflix shows, reading and playing games. After having spent many years in the public school system, Phyllis is thrilled to call Monument Academy home and appreciates the enthusiasm and dedication of her colleagues.

Phyllis is a licensed school counselor with the state of Colorado and joined the MA counseling department in 2018. She graduated from the University of Utah with a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies and received her M.A. in Counseling and Human Services from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from California Southern University.

Erin Hastedt

GT Coordinator

Phone Ext: 1721

Erin Hastedt joined MA as the Gifted and Talented Coordinator in the 2019-2020 school year.  She brings over 20 years of experience in the field of gifted education, an endorsement in GT and is SENG trained.  Her approach to gifted education is personal, individualized and need-based.

Mrs. Hastedt grew up and went to college in Boston, Massachusetts before moving to Denver in 1994 to pursue a post-graduate degree in education at the University of Denver. In 2016 she got her K-12 endorsement in gifted education. While in high school and college, she was a dedicated and successful student-athlete with a decorated career in both soccer and track.

In her free time she loves to read, workout, listen to music and watch sports of all kinds, especially soccer!

Mrs. Hastedt is married, with two gifted teenagers attending Palmer Ridge, three dogs and lives in beautiful Woodmoor, Colorado!

Please click here for more information about our GT program.

Suzy Benz

Elementary Music Teacher

Phone Ext: 1106

Suzy Benz was born and raised in Pueblo, CO. She loves nature and spending time at her cabin, which her dad built in 1968, in Beulah, CO. Unlike a lot of people, Suzy likes Colorado’s unpredictable weather. “It’s not boring!”

Suzy attended Cottey College, the University of Redlands and graduated with a B.A. in music education from the University of Colorado in 1975. She also did some grad work in Music Therapy at Colorado State University. She taught her first 8 years in District 11 in Colorado Springs.

Suzy has 2 children. After being a “stay at home mom” for years, she went back to work teaching in Douglas County schools, Sunshine Village Preschool, and Family of Christ Preschool. She then taught music for 2 years at a charter school in Widefield, CO. She feels very fortunate to have been hired as the K-5 music teacher at MA which is a much shorter commute. She has taught at MA since 2007. Over the years she has added 5th grade choir, the elementary Talent Show, MIDI for Kids keyboard program, and piano lessons. Suzy loves teaching at MA because “our students are respectful and have good character.” She also thinks the students at MA are very creative, talented, and lend new ideas to the music program.

Cindy Carlander

Elementary Art Teacher

Phone Ext: 1102

Kelly Collier

Librarian

Phone Ext: 1220

Kelly Collier has been the Librarian at Monument Academy since 2009. She is the Battle of Books coordinator for D38 and the school. She is passionate about books and children having skills, knowledge and information to understand the world around them.
She was born and raised in Boulder, Colorado. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication from Colorado State University, Kelly wrote and produced programs for the university and for Ft. Collins Cablevision. She then worked for Denver’s KMGH-7, an ABC affiliate running Chyron Infinite for the nightly newscasts until 1999.
After moving to Monument, her son attended MA kindergarten through 8th grade. It was during her years of volunteering on PTO, BAAC, and other committees that she discovered her love of working with children and teachers and she pursued a second career as a Librarian.
Kelly started the Landshark Running program at MA and coached girls’ volleyball. She was also the NJHS adviser for 5 years.
When she’s not at school or reading, you will find her doing one of her other many favorite pursuits with family and friends.

Rebeca Novotny

Elementary Spanish Teacher

Phone Ext: 1112

Rebeca Novotny was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Film, Radio and Television.  As a military spouse had the opportunity to live in many places. She was a Spanish teacher at the elementary and high school level during her stay in Gainesville, Florida. She has a Montessori Preschool Guide Certification and was a Montessori Guide for several years while living in Albuquerque, NM. She has lived in Monument, CO since 2007 amd has earned her Colorado teaching license in K-12 Spanish-World Languages. She has taught an adult conversational Spanish course locally since 2012. She enjoys movies, writing, composing, photography, and being creative in general. She also enjoys her family, which includes her husband, her 2 adult sons, her favorite soccer player, her daughter, and an old Jack Russell Terrier named Sonny.

Cristin Patterson

Strings / Music Teacher

Phone Ext: 1110

Cristin Patterson is new to Monument Academy and Monument this year, teaching 4th and 5th grade Strings and Middle School Orchestras. She is a professional musician who has lived in Colorado since she was five years old. She attended Cherry Creek High School in Centennial, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Cristin has performed in numerous orchestras, chamber music groups, marching bands, and rock bands, across the U.S. and internationally. She has taught private piano, violin, viola, and cello lessons in her home in Highlands Ranch, to students of all ages and abilities, for 19 years. Mrs. Patterson is passionate about keeping the joy of music alive and growing in our homes and schools. She enjoys spending time with her husband, John, and their two children.

John Patterson

Middle School Band / Music Teacher

Phone Ext: 1403

Elizabeth Weber

Tech Integration and Resources Teacher, Elementary Specials Lead Teacher

Phone Ext: 1515

Beth was born at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. Her father was a career U.S. Army Officer. She attended schools in the U.S., England, and Germany as a young student. She graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education. Beth met her husband Steve in Greeley while attending UNC. Steve spent twenty-one years in the U.S. Army, most of his career was spent at SHAPE/NATO in Belgium, sixteen years in fact! While there, Beth earned her certificate in English as a Second Language and worked as an English Instructor and the English Language Assessment Coordinator at the SHAPE/NATO Language School. This assignment afforded Beth the opportunity to become quite proficient in conversational French and German. After retiring from the military, Beth and Steve returned home to Colorado Springs and Beth began working for the UNHCR CRESL program, where she coordinated and taught English, Job Skills, American Culture, and GED classes. While working for the Colorado Refugee ESL program, Beth received her teaching authorization from the Colorado Department of Education in Literacy Instruction. Beth went on to accept a position with Colorado Calvert Academy Online as the Blended Learning Teacher. It was here that Beth discovered a love for technology, digital art and photography, and online education. While working for CCA, Beth completed coursework, earning certificates in Blended and Online Learning. Beth is passionate about learning and considers herself a lifelong student as well as a career educator. She is honored to be a part of Monument Academy as the Tech Integration and Resources Teacher in Elementary and Middle School.

Anna Vroom

Elementary PE Teacher

Phone Ext: 1225

Mrs. Anna Vroom comes from Northern Minnesota where she graduated from St. Cloud State University with a Bachelor of Science degree. She completed her Master’s degree from Webster University in Kansas City, Missouri in 2001. She has been teaching and coaching elementary, middle school and high school students since 1993. Mrs. Vroom has lived and taught in Minnesota, Missouri, Arizona and Colorado. She has lived in Colorado since 2008 and has officially claimed it as her home. Mrs. Vroom loves Colorado for the change of seasons, and she will never miss a snowfall for it reminds her of home. She has been teaching at Monument Academy since 2009. While at Monument Academy, she has taught in the elementary classroom, coached Odyssey of the Mind, as well as middle school basketball and volleyball and now loves her newest position as elementary physical education teacher.

Linh Kuo

Library Para

Phone Ext: 1520

Linh Kuo was born in Saigon, Vietnam and immigrated to the United States when she was five years old. She grew up in Michigan, where she attended the University of Michigan and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree with a major in English and minor in Math. Prior to working as a Library Para in 2018, she has been (and still is) a MA parent and volunteer.

Her family consists of her husband, their four children and their dog, Emmet. She enjoys being with family, watching movies, playing volleyball, and reading books.

Kelly Ryan

Library Para

Phone Ext: 1520

Kelly Ryan was born and raised in Southern California, but has lived all over Colorado since 2003, graduating from the University of Denver in 2005. She and her family moved to northern Colorado Springs in 2015, shortly before her oldest child started Kindergarten at Monument Academy. She has enjoyed volunteering at the school and helping the PTO since then, and is now overjoyed to be a part of the MA Library team! In her spare time, Kelly loves to cook, bake, go for walks and hikes, find new favorite restaurants, and of course, get lost in a great book. Her favorite place to be is with her husband and two kids

Kimberly McKenna

Middle School Math Teacher, NJHS Sponsor

Phone Ext: 1326

Robert Kemble

Middle School Math Teacher

Phone Ext: 1317

Mr. Kemble joined Monument Academy as a 5th grade teacher in 2010. The following year, he moved up to Middle School to fulfill a passion for teaching kids math. Prior to MA, Mr. Kemble taught combined Grades 5-8 for three years at a small, rural schoolhouse in northern Montana. He received his teaching credentials from Montana State University – Billings and holds a Bachelor’s Degree earned in 1979 from the University of California, Irvine. As a second-career teacher, Mr. Kemble finds the experience and rewards as “more than he ever thought possible”, and looks forward to spending the rest of his golden years in the math classroom.

Sarah Scaling

Middle School Math Teacher

Phone Ext: 1824

Born in Massachusetts into an Air Force family, Ms. Scaling spent her childhood in a variety of locations and schools throughout the US and world, including Turkey and Germany, until her family ended up in Oklahoma. From there, she attended Oklahoma State University (NOT OU), majoring in Elementary Education, with emphasis on middle school education. She completed her student teaching at the Pan American School in Costa Rica before receiving her degree and transitioning to Colorado Springs. She began her professional teaching journey in a 7th grade science classroom, and then moving on to teaching 5th grade, 6th-8th grade math and 6th-8th grade science. When she’s not teaching, Ms. Scaling spends her time either with her two children, Evie and Sebastian, or exploring anywhere and everywhere. She is known for getting “intentionally” lost in order to find someplace new and exciting.

Lisa Slocum

Middle School Lead Upper Math Teacher

Phone Ext: 1824

Thomas Herndon

Middle School Language Arts Teacher

Phone Ext: 1307

Tom Herndon was born in Missouri, but moved to northeast Colorado during his middle school years. He graduated from Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biblical Studies. He has spent the last 17 years working in non-profits like Compassion International and Christian Booksellers Association (a trade association for the Christian products industry) until joining Monument Academy in October 2016. He considers the career move to teach as a pivotal moment in his life as he has found his calling in teaching. He loves spending time with middle school students and watching them discover what unique gifts they contribute to the community. He has found a home in Monument Academy and is excited about the change that comes with every new year of students.

He lives in Colorado Springs, is married, and has four kids. He enjoys snowboarding and camping and has rappelled from arches in Moab, UT. He has been to Canada, France, Germany, Guatemala, Mexico, United Kingdom (and Scotland J). His favorite movies include The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Star Wars, and Field of Dreams. Favorite books include The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and The Hobbit. His approach to these stories is that, ‘every story was written to a specific people, at a specific time, and in a specific place,’ so we must understand the context when we hear the story, or we can misunderstand the true message. He brings that desire to go beyond the text to the classroom and desires that every student have a chance to ask the best questions about the true message of any given story (including theirs).

Chris Jeub

Middle School Language Arts Teacher

Phone Ext: 1309

Chris Jeub grew up in the upper Midwest. He graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in English from St. Cloud State University and later summa cum laude with a Masters of Business Administration from Regis University. Mr. Jeub taught English in Minnesota and North Dakota before moving his family to Colorado in 2000 to serve as a senior editor for Focus on the Family. He left Focus on the Family in 2004 to start Monument Publishing, a local curriculum company specializing in source material for academic debaters. Mr. Jeub and his wife, Wendy, have 16 children and seven grandchildren. Several of their children have graduated from MA and five are currently enrolled.

Nathan Piotrowski

Middle School Language Arts Teacher

Phone Ext: 1311

Nathan Piotrowski (aka Mr. Pio) grew up in the weird state of Vermont. He moved to Colorado in 1998 to attend the USAF Academy and graduated in 2002. After serving in the Air Force as an Airfield Operations Officer, he attended Dallas Theological Seminary and graduated in 2010 with a Master of Theology. Following seminary, he served in leadership at various churches before moving back to Colorado in the summer of 2016. Very early on in his teaching career, it became apparent Mr. Pio has a heart for students. The thing he loves most about teaching is spending time with students, creating an atmosphere of love, joy, and encouragement in the classroom, and engaging in real-life classroom discussions. In addition to teaching, Mr. Pio enjoys coaching, running, playing guitar, church-planting, and staying connected with the students and families in Monument.

Karl Brown

Middle School Science Teacher

Phone Ext: 1313

Mr. Brown received his Bachelor’s Degree in aerospace engineering sciences from the University of Colorado at Boulder. After a brief stint as a rocket scientist, he decided he wanted to focus on things a little more down to earth and pursued a Master’s Degree in health and rehabilitation sciences from the University of Pittsburgh. While designing a variety of assistive devices, he got involved in robotics and STEM education programs for youth with disabilities, which led to coaching the robotics team at MA starting in 2015 and teaching 8^th grade science in 2016. When he’s not teaching, you might find him hiking, building robots, making up songs, or reading books with his kids again and again and again and again….

Cathy Edwards

Middle School Science Teacher

Phone Ext: 1104

Cathy Edwards has taught for over 25 years with experience in a combination of public and private schools. Over those years she has taught PK – 12th in a large variety of subjects.  Most recently, she has spent most of her time teaching science, elementary art and music, and secondary art. She went to Texas A&M University, where she majored in education. After raising their 4 children in Texas, she and her husband of 28 years came back to her home state of Colorado.  They have been living in Monument since the beginning of 2018.

Aside from teaching and learning, Mrs. Edwards also enjoys hiking, animals, spending time with her family, and watching sports.  She joined the Monument Academy team in 2019 teaching 6th grade science.

Debra Kappel

Middle School Science Teacher

Phone Ext: 1312

Chris Menefee

Middle School History Teacher

Phone Ext: 1323

Chris Menefee was born in Michigan and moved to Colorado in 2014. He graduated from Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan with a Bachelor of Science in 2007 and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from University of Colorado-Colorado Springs. Chris joined the United States Air Force in 2007 and left active duty in 2014, but still serves as a reservist. While in the Air Force, Chris had the chance to operate in multiple theaters through out the world and was blessed with multiple experiences while traveling the world.  Chris has been married to his wonderful wife since 2012, who is also in education. Chris has been teaching at Monument Academy since 2016.

Chris also enjoys coaching and all the outdoor life that Colorado has to offer. He currently coaches High School Football in Colorado Springs. He enjoys all the time he gets to work with his students and athletes. Chris believes teaching and mentoring our youth is the greatest career any person could ask for.

Michael Herbert

Middle School Lead Social Studies Teacher

Phone Ext: 1328

Mr. Herbert grew up the son of a Navy helicopter pilot, so naturally he moved around a lot.  Nearly 20 times, in fact.  Colorado, Texas, California, Washington, D.C., Florida, New Mexico, and Virginia have all been called home at some point in his life.

Mr. Herbert began his teaching career at the age of sixteen when he became a swim instructor for elementary students at his local pool.  Upon graduating from the University of California at Santa Barbara with his undergraduate degree, he went on to receive his Master’s Degree in Education from Azusa Pacific University. Mr. Herbert has been at Monument Academy since 2013.

In his other life, he enjoys fly fishing, cooking, gardening, and planning his motorcycle trip around the world.

Eric Rocciola

Middle School History Teacher

Phone Ext: 1321

Eric Rocciola received his Associates degree in Culinary Management in 2007 and his Bachelors degree in History with a minor in Political Science from William Patterson University in 2013. Mr. Rocciola has lived in New Jersey, New Mexico, Arizona, New York City and for the last three years in Monument, Colorado. He started teaching at Monument Academy in 2017. Mr. Rocciola enjoys cooking, fishing and hiking with his wife Andi.

Megan Gardner

Middle School Para

Phone Ext: 1809

Kim Cavanagh

Teacher: Response to Intervention (RtI)

Phone Ext: 1117

Mrs. Cavanagh lives in Castle Rock, but is originally from California. While living in Southern California, she taught for 11 years before moving with her family to Colorado in 2006. She took a year off from teaching to get her family settled in their new life in Colorado and then returned to teaching for Douglas County School District. In 2010, she completed her Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction: Reading from Grand Canyon University. After nine years of teaching in Douglas County, she chose to join the Monument Academy family in 2017 to teach first grade. She now works with students in all grades as a literacy specialist in the RtI department.

Sandra Wood

RtI Specialist

Phone Ext: 1817

Sandra Wood was born in Colorado in 1972. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado in 1994 with a major in Sociology and a minor in Psychology. After college, Sandra married and worked for a non-profit organization assisting children and their families. After having two children, Sandra pursued her Master’s in Education. She graduated from Regis University in 2012. Mrs. Wood has enjoyed teaching at Monument Academy since 2012.

Carrie Howarth

Social Worker

Phone Ext: 1322

Carrie started volunteering in the counseling department at Monument Academy in 2015 and presently is the school’s Social Worker. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of West Florida in Psychology, Master’s degree in social work from the University of Texas San Antonio, and is a licensed Social Worker with the state of Colorado. Carrie brings many years of experience and enthusiasm to the students and staff at Monument Academy. She has a long history working with children and adolescents in the areas of crisis intervention, running elementary and middle school groups, developing, and maintaining mental health programs. Her focus has been on anger management and suicide awareness as well as working with high-risk adolescents and teaching them social and life skills.

Carrie has been married since 1999, she and her husband have 5 daughters with 4 of them attending Monument Academy and the other previously acting in a teaching capacity. They have been a part of the military community for the last 19 years, have lived in many places and are happy to call Monument home! Carrie enjoys hiking, skiing, traveling, watching her girls play soccer, basketball, gymnastics, cheer, and track while creating lasting memories with family and friends.

Erin Hastedt

GT Coordinator

Phone Ext: 1721

Erin Hastedt joined MA as the Gifted and Talented Coordinator in the 2019-2020 school year.  She brings over 20 years of experience in the field of gifted education, an endorsement in GT and is SENG trained.  Her approach to gifted education is personal, individualized and need-based.

Mrs. Hastedt grew up and went to college in Boston, Massachusetts before moving to Denver in 1994 to pursue a post-graduate degree in education at the University of Denver. In 2016 she got her K-12 endorsement in gifted education. While in high school and college, she was a dedicated and successful student-athlete with a decorated career in both soccer and track.

In her free time she loves to read, workout, listen to music and watch sports of all kinds, especially soccer!

Mrs. Hastedt is married, with two gifted teenagers attending Palmer Ridge, three dogs and lives in beautiful Woodmoor, Colorado!

Please click here for more information about our GT program.

Kelly Collier

Librarian

Phone Ext: 1220

Kelly Collier has been the Librarian at Monument Academy since 2009. She is the Battle of Books coordinator for D38 and the school. She is passionate about books and children having skills, knowledge and information to understand the world around them.
She was born and raised in Boulder, Colorado. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication from Colorado State University, Kelly wrote and produced programs for the university and for Ft. Collins Cablevision. She then worked for Denver’s KMGH-7, an ABC affiliate running Chyron Infinite for the nightly newscasts until 1999.
After moving to Monument, her son attended MA kindergarten through 8th grade. It was during her years of volunteering on PTO, BAAC, and other committees that she discovered her love of working with children and teachers and she pursued a second career as a Librarian.
Kelly started the Landshark Running program at MA and coached girls’ volleyball. She was also the NJHS adviser for 5 years.
When she’s not at school or reading, you will find her doing one of her other many favorite pursuits with family and friends.

Desiree Floyd

Middle School Choir / Music Teacher

Phone Ext: 1401

Desiree Floyd is a Colorado native from Peyton and has a family tree full of teachers and musicians. For college, she attended Colorado State University-Pueblo and pursued a bachelor’s degree in music, double emphasizing in piano and voice and minoring in education. After graduating in 2013, she taught elementary general music, band and orchestra before arriving at Monument Academy in 2015 to teach middle school choir – her dream job! Miss Floyd is thrilled to be continuing her work this year at Monument Academy with incredible staff members and amazing students!

Harry Grover

Middle School Spanish Teacher

Phone Ext. 1319

Señor Harry Grover was born in Glens Falls, NY, shortly after the Beatles completed their first United States tour. Señor Grover was raised in the tiny town of Brookline, NH. In 1986, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Spanish. In 1990, he earned a Masters of Education in Curriculum Design and Instruction. Both degrees were earned at The University of Lowell (now known as University of Massachusetts-Lowell). Before entering the education profession, Señor Grover was a radio broadcaster and producer. Teaching has always been his dream profession and he is currently in his 30^th year of doing the job that he loves. Señor Grover spent 22 years teaching in New Hampshire, before moving to Colorado in 2011. Señor Grover has been teaching at Monument Academy since August of 2018. The natural beauty of the state of Colorado is something that he never tires of experiencing.

Melissa Johnson

Middle School Technology Teacher

Phone Ext. 1108

Mrs. Melissa Johnson joined Monument Academy in 2018. She serves as our middle school business and technology teacher as well as publishes the yearbook. She graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in Educational Leadership. She has served in a variety of roles in education since 1998 ranging from preschool to post-secondary age students as well as different contents and responsibilities. She moved to the Pikes Peak region in 2009, most recently to a hobby farm in Black Forest. Hobbies include: raising chickens, horses and dogs with her husband and son. She enjoys teaching and is energized by student enthusiasm.

Cristin Patterson

Strings / Music Teacher

Phone Ext: 1110

Cristin Patterson is new to Monument Academy and Monument this year, teaching 4th and 5th grade Strings and Middle School Orchestras. She is a professional musician who has lived in Colorado since she was five years old. She attended Cherry Creek High School in Centennial, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Cristin has performed in numerous orchestras, chamber music groups, marching bands, and rock bands, across the U.S. and internationally. She has taught private piano, violin, viola, and cello lessons in her home in Highlands Ranch, to students of all ages and abilities, for 19 years. Mrs. Patterson is passionate about keeping the joy of music alive and growing in our homes and schools. She enjoys spending time with her husband, John, and their two children.

John Patterson

Middle School Band / Music Teacher

Phone Ext: 1403

Andi Rankin

Middle School Drama Teacher

Phone Ext: 1402

Andi Rankin is thrilled to join the fine arts department as the new Drama Teacher! She graduated from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs in 2005 with a double major in English Literature and The Performing Arts. After college, she moved to New York City to pursue her love of acting, attending The American Academy of Dramatic Arts and The Alvin Ailey School of Dance. Returning to Colorado in 2014, Andi pursued a career in special education and joined Monument Academy as an ESS Teacher in 2016. While she loved her position with ESS, her students, and families, Andi is excited to begin this new journey. Andi enjoys exploring the great outdoors, snowshoeing, hiking, and biking with her friends and family. A little couch time with her hubby and two lazy cats isn’t too shabby either.

Crystal Sebastian Johnson

Middle School Art Teacher

Phone Ext: 1308

Crystal Sebastian Johnson is from a small town called Rifle on the western slope of Colorado. She started teaching middle school art at MA in 2019 previously teaching in Pueblo and Castle Rock, Colorado for a total of 10 years. She has two degrees one in Art and one in Art Education K-12 specializing in Art History, Ceramics, Drawing, and Design from Adams State University. Mrs. Sebastian Johnson has great appreciation of the lakes and wildlife since she moved to Monument and looks forward to many years at Monument Academy.

Drew Stevenson

Middle School PE Teacher

Phone Ext: 1525

Coach Stevenson has 20 years of head lacrosse coaching and program administration experience. Most recently, a Division III Head Coach, he has lead the start of two collegiate programs, founded his own youth program in Chicago and has been a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association since 2006.

Stevenson has coached more than 50 collegiate and high school all conference players, lead Saint Ignatius College Prep (IL) to the 2009 Class B State Title, and regularly works with all ages and skill levels of lacrosse players.

As a long time lacrosse and strength coach, some of the best players he has seen play the game have been multi-sport athletes. With lacrosse encompassing so many tactical and technical skills included in other sports, he believes that youth through high school players are best served experiencing multiple sports and activities. Equally important as playing multiple sports/activities he stresses physical literacy through strength and conditioning allowing athletes to better understand what they can do to help themselves be and feel their best.

Elizabeth Weber

Tech Integration and Resources Teacher, Elementary Specials Lead Teacher

Phone Ext: 1515

Beth was born at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. Her father was a career U.S. Army Officer. She attended schools in the U.S., England, and Germany as a young student. She graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education. Beth met her husband Steve in Greeley while attending UNC. Steve spent twenty-one years in the U.S. Army, most of his career was spent at SHAPE/NATO in Belgium, sixteen years in fact! While there, Beth earned her certificate in English as a Second Language and worked as an English Instructor and the English Language Assessment Coordinator at the SHAPE/NATO Language School. This assignment afforded Beth the opportunity to become quite proficient in conversational French and German. After retiring from the military, Beth and Steve returned home to Colorado Springs and Beth began working for the UNHCR CRESL program, where she coordinated and taught English, Job Skills, American Culture, and GED classes. While working for the Colorado Refugee ESL program, Beth received her teaching authorization from the Colorado Department of Education in Literacy Instruction. Beth went on to accept a position with Colorado Calvert Academy Online as the Blended Learning Teacher. It was here that Beth discovered a love for technology, digital art and photography, and online education. While working for CCA, Beth completed coursework, earning certificates in Blended and Online Learning. Beth is passionate about learning and considers herself a lifelong student as well as a career educator. She is honored to be a part of Monument Academy as the Tech Integration and Resources Teacher in Elementary and Middle School.

Tracy Yaussy

MS Electives Teacher

Phone Ext: 1512

Theresa (Tracy) Yaussy was born in Illinois. She graduated high school from the International School of Amsterdam. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Journalism from Iowa State University. She started teaching as a substitute at Monument Academy in March of 2018. She has lived in Colorado for 20 years. Her daughter, Anna, a student at Palmer Ridge High School, is heavily involved in 4-H. This means that Tracy’s hobbies include hanging out and having fun with her daughter, and their two goats, three chickens, three dogs, and cat. (Snow Top, Sand Dunes, Chicken Little, Henna, Marsh-mellow, Wanda, Willow, Jasmine, and DJ, respectively.)

Linh Kuo

Library Para

Phone Ext: 1520

Linh Kuo was born in Saigon, Vietnam and immigrated to the United States when she was five years old. She grew up in Michigan, where she attended the University of Michigan and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree with a major in English and minor in Math. Prior to working as a Library Para in 2018, she has been (and still is) a MA parent and volunteer.

Her family consists of her husband, their four children and their dog, Emmet. She enjoys being with family, watching movies, playing volleyball, and reading books.

Kelly Ryan

Library Para

Phone Ext: 1520

Kelly Ryan was born and raised in Southern California, but has lived all over Colorado since 2003, graduating from the University of Denver in 2005. She and her family moved to northern Colorado Springs in 2015, shortly before her oldest child started Kindergarten at Monument Academy. She has enjoyed volunteering at the school and helping the PTO since then, and is now overjoyed to be a part of the MA Library team! In her spare time, Kelly loves to cook, bake, go for walks and hikes, find new favorite restaurants, and of course, get lost in a great book. Her favorite place to be is with her husband and two kids

Jessica Coote

Director - ESS

Phone Ext: 1318

Born in New Zealand, Jessica Coote has been given the opportunity to teach both in America and abroad after studying education and earning her teaching degree and licensure at the University of Northern Colorado.  Over recent years traveling between the two countries, Ms. Coote has expanded her toolbox of approaches and practices to better educate all children.  She has worked with students of all ages and abilities in a variety of schools.  Ms. Coote has been teaching at Monument Academy since 2014 and has been a part of the school since its opening in 1996.  On her off time, Ms. Coote loves to read, hike, and adventure!

Emily Woodhouse

ESS Teacher (K-3)

Phone Ext: 1320

Jeannine Loar

ESS Teacher (4-5)

Phone Ext: 1316

Thorin Wang

ESS Teacher (6-8)

Allison Wise

ELL Staff

Phone Ext: 1508

Allison Wise has taught K – 8th grade English Learners at Monument Academy, part time and then full time, since 2008.  She is also the coach of the MA Matchwits Team. Originally from California, Allison has lived in Monument since 2005. Starting at San Diego State University, Allison graduated from Cal State Northridge with a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics. She has taught English as a Second Language to adults, teens & children since 1996. Other accomplishments include appearing on Jeopardy! (twice) and hiking the Incline (once). Besides reading, Allison’s hobbies are genealogy research and hiking with her husband and two children.

Cristin Knapek

Occupational Therapist

Phone Ext: 1114

Eva Coleman

COTA

Phone Ext: 1114

Sarah Thompson

ESS Teacher Assistant

Sarah Thompson was born in Southern California and moved to Monument, CO in 1991. She graduated from Lewis Palmer High School and went on to get her degree in nursing. After working in the nursing field for several years, an opportunity arose to work with some very special students in the ESS department at Monument Academy. Sarah jumped at the prospect of changing career paths and has truly enjoyed working in the ESS department since 2011. She is a Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner and has her WRS Level 1 Certification. In addition to teaching, she is also the head cheer coach at MA. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, watching movies, singing, photography, and spending time with her husband, daughter, and 2 dogs.

Michelle Dukes

ESS Para

Kara Giroux

ESS Para

Danielle Hoyt

ESS Para

JoAnne Kienle

ESS Para

Tracy Ray

ESS Para

Katie Seabolt

ESS Para

Kelly Sivess

ESS Para

Carrie Howarth

Social Worker

Phone Ext: 1322

Carrie started volunteering in the counseling department at Monument Academy in 2015 and presently is the school’s Social Worker. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of West Florida in Psychology, Master’s degree in social work from the University of Texas San Antonio, and is a licensed Social Worker with the state of Colorado. Carrie brings many years of experience and enthusiasm to the students and staff at Monument Academy. She has a long history working with children and adolescents in the areas of crisis intervention, running elementary and middle school groups, developing, and maintaining mental health programs. Her focus has been on anger management and suicide awareness as well as working with high-risk adolescents and teaching them social and life skills.

Carrie has been married since 1999, she and her husband have 5 daughters with 4 of them attending Monument Academy and the other previously acting in a teaching capacity. They have been a part of the military community for the last 19 years, have lived in many places and are happy to call Monument home! Carrie enjoys hiking, skiing, traveling, watching her girls play soccer, basketball, gymnastics, cheer, and track while creating lasting memories with family and friends.