Administrators


Head of School_Murphy Head of School – Adriana M. Murphy

Adriana has worked in independent schools for 22 years, serving both as a teacher and an administrator. Prior to joining St. Elizabeth's, she was as the head of middle school at Friends Community School in College Park, Maryland, a Quaker K–8 independent school, a role she excelled in for eight years. Under her leadership the middle school increased enrollment by 50%. She was also responsible for high school outplacement, as well as teaching 8th grade seminars and overseeing faculty training, developing advisory and orientation programs, and creating block scheduling.  Adriana has Master’s degrees in Private School Leadership from the Klingenstein Center at Columbia University in New York City, and in Peace and Development Studies from Universitat Jaume I, Castellón, Spain. She has a BA from Bishop’s University, Pr. of Quebec, Canada. She presents regularly at conferences on a wide range of educational topics, including equity in hiring, supporting LGBTQ faculty and students, cultural competency, and middle school development. She is a native Spanish speaker, and proud of her Nicaraguan heritage. Raised Catholic, educated at an Anglican university, and later taught at a Quaker school, Adriana embraces the importance of spiritual development for students. She shares with us the strong commitment to equity, diversity, integrity and inclusion. Previously, Adriana also served in Americorps as a wildland firefighter and can hold her own on the basketball court.

 

Amber HornbacherHead of Lower School – Amber Hornbacher

Amber is thrilled to be joining the St. Elizabeth’s community. She has 14 years of dedicated teaching experience in diverse educational settings. Amber has taught in public, magnet, charter and independent schools in both North Carolina and Colorado. Amber earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Special Education Mild/Moderate Needs Dual from Grambling State University in Louisiana, and a Master of Arts degree in Educational Leadership & Special Education Administration from the University of Northern Colorado. She is currently pursuing a Masters of Business Administration at the University of Northern Colorado and is eager to combine her wealth of knowledge, experience, and perspective to continue empowering students and fostering inclusive learning environments. Originally from Aurora, Colorado, Amber enjoys exploring the outdoors and sharing adventures with her husband and three children. Paddle boarding, hiking, and road tripping are among their favorite activities.

 

SES LogoHead of Middle School –  Ruth Poulsen

Ruth has a special soft spot in her heart for Middle Schoolers, knowing that this is an exciting and challenging stage of growing up. She is passionate about making middle school learning both challenging and joyful. Ruth has been an educator for almost two decades, starting as an English teacher, and then moving into roles like Curriculum Coordinator, Director of Curriculum, and Middle School Assistant Principal. Ruth grew up in rural Nebraska as well as being an international kid in Jordan and Jerusalem. She went to college in Missouri and earned her MA in Educational Leadership from University of San Francisco. She has spent her career serving in schools in Sacramento, California; Taiwan; Seoul; and most recently, Beijing, China. Ruth loves getting to know people and finding out how to build a welcoming school community where everyone can feel like they belong. Despite no longer teaching English literature, she still loves to read and talk about books! On the weekends, she loves to hike, so she’s excited to trade her hikes on the Great Wall of China for the Colorado rockies. Her family includes a daughter in college, a teen in high school, an art teacher husband, two cats who made it all the way from China, and a brand new rescue puppy.   

Loree Lindsey photo Administrative Assistant & Extended Day Program Director  – Loree Lindsey

Loree graduated from Indiana University at South Bend with a B.S. in General Studies with a concentration in Behavioral and Social Studies and a Minor in Women's Studies. She manages the Front Office and EDP. Loree spent more than nine years working at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, IN as a Ward Clerk/Unit Secretary and Nursing Assistant. She knows St. Elizabeth's from the inside out as she was an SES parent for 10 years; her son, Quinn Pack, and her daughter, Peyten Pack are both alums of St. Elizabeth's.

 

jamika-mcnally-display

Director of Admissions and Engagement - Jamika McNally

Jamika joined St. Elizabeth’s School in May 2022 from The Nueva School in San Mateo, California where she was the Assistant Director of Admissions. She brings to us more than six years of related experience which includes several other admissions-centric roles, including posts at The San Francisco Art Institute and The Los Angeles Film & Recording School. She holds an M.A.T. in Elementary Education from National-Louis University and a B.F.A. in Playwriting and Film, Television and Radio from DePaul University. She cares most about helping diverse families find the best educational opportunities for their children, so her values align perfectly with St. Elizabeth’s mission. As a new transplant to our state, Jamika is soaking up all the outdoor opportunities Colorado has to offer with her husband and two young children.


Nikki Winans

Director of Equity and Belonging  – Nikki Winans

Nikki's passion for advancing students’ understanding of social justice issues is motivated by her lived experiences. Growing up in upstate New York, she was one of very few Latine students in her school district. In college, Nikki worked for elected officials in the United States House of Representatives & New York State Senate. She faced imposter syndrome and realized first hand the barriers that stand in between Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) individuals and influence in policy and government. As a result of this experience, she was drawn to the education field realizing that education is a tool for liberation. In 2019, she joined Teach for America and spent two years teaching 6th-8th grade social studies at Isna Wica Owayawa in the land of the Oglala Lakota Sioux Tribe in the Pine Ridge Reservation. She then taught 10th & 11th grade Historical Perspectives for a Liberatory Education at an Immigrant/Refugee English Language Learner (ELL) school in Nashville, Tennessee. She holds a B.A. in History with a minor in political science from Brooklyn College and a M.Ed in Education Policy & Leadership with a focus on culturally responsive and anti-racism school leadership from American University. When Nikki isn’t busy guiding our youth towards finding their voice, she enjoys spending time in nature.

 

Kim Johnson photo Director of Finance and Operations – Kim Johnson

Kim began her time at St. Elizabeth’s in a part-time bookkeeper role and over the last seven years has become an esteemed member of the administrative team. Today, she is at the center of all that we do as our Director of Finance and Operations, having a hand in just about everything from day-to-day financial management to human resources. In fact, her extensive business and financial experience as a commercial property manager with a variety of firms came in handy when we moved to our new location. She holds a cooperative BA degree in Political Science/Law and Society from the University of California at Riverside. Kim’s dedication to her community extends beyond St. E’s as she serves as the Chair of the Board of the Jefferson County Public Library. When she isn’t busy working hard on behalf of the school and her community, she loves traveling with her family to experience places and culture, but also enjoys spending time almost anywhere there is a beach. She and her husband are recent empty nesters as her daughter started college in 2022 and her son in the fall of 2023. Kim is our Title IX Coordinator and Section 504 Coordinator.


Kelly Church HeadshotDirector of Philanthropy – Kelly Church

Kelly is a seasoned professional specializing in nonprofit management, school leadership, and fundraising. With a background in education, she has honed her expertise in building relationships and demonstrating powerful communication skills. Throughout her career, Kelly has held key roles with a focus on fundraising and development, including School Director at The Denver Waldorf School for eight years, and Executive Director at Colorado Springs Assets for Youth, where she served for four years.  
Kelly holds a M.A. in Child Development from Tufts University, a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Denver, and completed certificate programs in Collaborative Leadership and Waldorf Elementary Teacher Education at Sunbridge Institute. She has also served as board member of the Association of Colorado Independent Schools (ACIS) and as a national delegate for the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA).  With her passion for education and her experience in nonprofit leadership she is excited to serve in this capacity at St. Elizabeth’s School.

 

Faculty and Staff

Jessica Krueger photoKindergarten Lead Teacher – Jessica Krueger

Jessica graduated cum laude from Metropolitan State University of Denver. She holds a BA in psychology, specializing in Early Childhood Education. She plans to pursue a Masters of Education degree. Jessica discovered her passion for teaching children through her experiences with her own children. She has two daughters: both graduates of St. Elizabeth's School. In her free time, which is rare, she enjoys reading and spending time outdoors. Jessica is fully committed to the St. Elizabeth's mission from many perspectives.


Kim KruegerKindergarten Teaching Associate – Kim Krueger

Kim was born in Great Falls, Montana and she was raised on an Appaloosa Horse Ranch just northwest of the small town of Cascade, Montana. Maybe that's why she says that she's happiest when she's digging in the dirt or outside in the sunshine. In 2016, she began at St.E's as a substitute teacher, and has now joined the St. E's family full time as a Kindergarten Teaching Associate. She came to us with 24 years of educator's experience from the Denver Public Schools as a K-5 Reading Recovery Instructor. She'll tell you that she loves working here because the kids are so happy that you have no other choice but to be happy right with them. She cares most about her family and making the world a better place. Oh, and she's been known to make the best lasagna and frosted cinnamon rolls to boot. We're so happy you're here, Kim!


Alexandra MealletFirst Grade Lead Teacher – Alexandra Meallet

Alexandra is a graduate of UC Santa Barbara, Miss Alex has a BA in Linguistics and Global Studies. She also has an Orton-Gillingham literacy certification. She comes to us from Stanley British Primary School, where she has spent the last two years as a K–2 Associate Teacher and Teaching Resident of the prestigious Public Education and Business Coalition’s (PEBC) Teacher Residency Program. As part of this program, Alex earned her professional teaching license and developed and taught lessons for grades K–2 in literacy, math, social studies, and science. In addition, she has implemented phonics instruction based on the Science of Reading. She was co-chair of the multicultural affairs committee for two years at Stanley British Primary School and won the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Educator of the Year Award in 2021.

When she’s not planning or teaching or finding materials for “Discovery Time,” you might spot her hiking, doing yoga, or talking shop with her mom—a lifelong educator.


Sam AshmoreSecond Grade Lead Teacher – Samuel Ashmore

With over five years of experience teaching across various grade levels and subjects, Samuel Ashmore comes to us most recently from Brooklyn Friends School, where he has served as First Grade Head Teacher for the last two years. While there, Sam has nurtured a classroom culture rooted in cooperation, responsibility, and empathy, and shown particular expertise in leading high-impact phonics instruction, and STEM. Additionally, Sam has worked as a First and Second Grade Associate Teacher at Grace Church School and as a Third Grade Teacher-In-Residence at Achievement First. He has also served as a STEM Teaching Fellow at KIPP Change Academy, executing all lead teacher responsibilities in the STEM lab, and designed and implemented all STEM lesson plans, in-class activities, and assignments. An educator at heart, Sam’s volunteer experience with 826LA, Little Kids Rock, and I Have A Dream Foundation of Boulder County have also helped him connect his passion for education and his commitment to giving back to the community. 

Sam is a graduate from Relay Graduate School of Education, New York, NY, with a Master of Arts in Teaching and New York State Initial Teaching Certification in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6).

Christine KnoxFirst & Second Grade Teaching Associate – Christine Knox

Christine joined the St. Elizabeth School family in October, 2021 as a fourth grade co-teacher and is currently working in this capacity with first grade students. We’re lucky to have her positive energy and demonstrated professionalism in the classroom each and every day. Christine comes to us from Chicago where she worked in the Chicago Public School System (CPS) as a Classroom Assistant, Paraprofessional and Special Education Classroom Assistant (SECA). She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Southern Illinois University with a dual focus in Social Work and Speech Communications and is now in the eighth year of serving in her profession. She finds her work energizing, bringing her passion for working with children to school every day. Outside the classroom, she enjoys spending time with family, traveling and engaging in outdoor activities

Carletta CowansThird Grade Lead Teacher – Carletta Cowans

Carletta graduated from Clarke University in Iowa with a BA in Psychology and Sociology. She is a Colorado native who has worked with youth for over two decades. She has a passion for social justice and education. Carletta enjoys spending time with her family and friends, hanging out with her dogs, and dedicating any possible free time to her two amazing children Brooklynn ('25) and Bryson ('27). She believes it is important to provide families with a fun, safe, and nurturing atmosphere full of laughter and learning.

Laura Pruett
Third Grade Teaching Associate – Laura Pruett

Laura joined St. Elizabeth's this year as the co-teacher for Third Grade and our K-Gr. 5 Spanish teacher. She brings to us a wealth of teaching experience as a Lower School Spanish teacher since 1998 at Parke House Academy in Winter Park, Florida and the Newmeadow School in Clifton Park, New York. She is a former Registered Behavior Technician who worked for five years with kids impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) because she is passionate about helping and teaching all children, no matter what their skill level or abilities are. She holds an Associate of Arts degree with a focus on Business Administration from Seminole State College. In her spare time, Laura loves sewing and spending time with her family and her two adorable Chihuahuas.

Default image Fourth Grade Lead Teacher – Kira Hellyer

Kira brings her love of learning and creative mind to the practice of teaching at St. Elizabeth’s School. She earned a B.A. degree in Environmental Design from Texas A&M University and enjoyed a career in residential design and tenant planning. At St. Elizabeth’s, we believe that educators like her who come to us with a strong business background are an invaluable resource to our students. Kira’s experience in the design world brings a unique level of critical thinking skills to real-world applications and she shares that perspective each day in the classroom. She began her teaching career at an Episcopal School in Louisiana until her family decided to relocate to Colorado. She cares about meeting her students where they are and appreciating them for who they are. She loves spending time with her husband, friends, and dog, plus she enjoys traveling, reading, and cooking a wide variety of cuisines. When she is not in the classroom, you can find her on a walk, or being creative.


Hilario Garfio-SanchezFourth and Fifth Grade Teaching Associate – Hilario Garfio-Sanchez

We welcomed Hilario back to the St. Elizabeth’s community this year. He comes to us from Stanley British Primary where he was a long-term substitute in their Middle School with extensive work experiences at both Knapp Elementary and Colorado Academy. He is a big fan of teaching math and science and enjoys “connecting the dots” for students with relevant and meaningful lessons. For the last seven years, he taught science and math to Middle School students at the Horizons Summer Program, a direct community impact program for under-resourced students in Denver. He is proud to be graduating with a B.S. in Biology from Metropolitan State University this year. He cares deeply about the creativity and independence that comes from teaching and is dedicated to providing a safe and welcoming space for all students. In his free time, he enjoys hiking with his dogs, gardening, and visiting art museums and galleries. Welcome back to St. E’s, Hilario!

Jeffrey Koehler Fifth Grade Lead Teacher – Jeffrey Koehler

Jeffrey joined St. Elizabeth's last year as the 5th Grade Lead Teacher.  Jeffrey is in his fifth year teaching 5th grade and his eighth year teaching overall.  His collaborative teaching approach shines through every day. He loves that 5th graders have so much to say about the world, and he believes that they can take on very challenging topics and still be kids. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in political science and history from the University of Colorado Denver and his Masters of Arts in elementary education from Metro State University. He has a wealth of experience teaching 5th grade at Peabody Elementary, Littleton Academy, and MPB Catholic School. He believes that teaching at our school affords him the chance to live in a world of learning, peace, community, and creativity. In his free time, he likes to have no plans but also enjoys being outdoors, spending time with his family, and making music. 

Becky_Knowlton Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Grade Math – Rebecca Knowlton

Becky is a middle school teacher at heart. Her degree is in Middle Childhood Education with Concentrations in Math and Science. She has worked with a variety of middle school teams in myriad ways. She has been both a team member and a team leader. Becky was fortunate to be a building math team co-leader; she was able to shape the curriculum selected by the Cherry Creek School District for its middle schools. She has taught a variety of subjects from American Sign Language to health and history, but math and science have been the two subjects she has focused on the most. Spending time exploring cool parts of the city like the zoo and various museums with her son and husband is her favorite thing to do on the weekends. Becky also enjoys making quilts and other sewing projects. 

Griffen Stabler Middle School Language Arts Teacher, Gr. 6 Homeroom, Advisor – Griffen Stabler

Giffen grew up in Colorado before heading to the East Coast for school and work.  He graduated from Williams College with a degree in English and Leadership Studies and then spent five summers earning his Masters in English at the Bread Loaf School of English in the mountains of Vermont, while also teaching Middle School English during the school year. This experience of being both a student and a teacher at the same time reminded him of the need to keep joy and excitement at the center of the classroom, which has proven especially important when working with middle school students. After spending 10 years working and learning at an independent school in Connecticut, he was excited to move back to Colorado with his young family to be closer to the mountains, his family, and schools like St. Elizabeth’s. He loves reading, stories, mowing the lawn, being outside, and anything sweet (besides chocolate!). He often loses his coffee mug (which has his name on it as a result), so please return it if you see it out and about!

Taras Wynar photo Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Grade Science and Sixth Grade Social Studies – Taras Wynar

Taras has taught science, social studies, religion, and math to middle schoolers for the past 16 years, both in parochial schools and most recently in the Jeffco Public Schools. He is a graduate of Regis University with a BA in history and fine arts, and he has two Masters degrees, one in Education and one in History. Taras has two young children, and he loves volleyball and ice hockey!


Alexis Hebner

Office Assistant and Assistant Extended Day Program Coordinator – Brenda Castro

Brenda is a fluent Spanish speaker, providing crucial support to our Spanish-speaking families. With over 25 years in Colorado and a proud mother of twin girls and a 9-year-old daughter, Brenda brings a deep connection to our community. She's also a devoted fish parent to Watermelon. Brenda's favorites include Glitter, apples, reading, crossword puzzles, art, hiking, coffee, and yoga. Her versatile professional background includes roles as a Parent Liaison, Administrative Assistant, and Community Outreach Specialist at Global Village Academy. Beyond work, Brenda loves traveling and volunteering at local churches and homeless shelters during school breaks and summers.


Emily RandallDevelopment Manager – Emily Randall

Emily came to St. Elizabeth's at the start of the 21-22 school year. She has eight years of experience in various fundraising roles, and has worked at several different nonprofits supporting causes from affordable health care to preservation of public land. She has a particular interest in database management and data analysis. She earned her B.A. from Hamilton College in 2016. Originally from Baltimore, she moved to Denver in 2021 and has been enjoying exploring a new state and spending time with her family. 


Emily BranamAdministrative and Communications Specialist– Emily Branam
After 14 years in music education, and several years in the nonprofit world, Emily is excited to join the St. Elizabeth's staculty in the role of Administrative and Communications Specialist.  Emily will be at St E's on a part time basis managing communications and running social media.  If she's got a camera in front of her face, be sure to wave and smile!  Emily also works for Vocal Coalition Youth Choirs (VOCO) as an Executive Assistant.  She loves her family, dogs, yoga, and the mountains.  

Specialty Teachers

Tory Doerksen photo
School Chaplain / Faith Studies / Interim Music Teacher – Tory Doerksen

Tory holds a BA in Religion/Bible/Youth Ministry from Bethel College, KS and a Masters of Divinity from George Fox University, OR. He has worked with children and youth ministry for 15 years in Kansas, Oregon, and Denver, and most recently was the Director of Children and Youth Ministry for Park Hill United Methodist Church (a diverse and social-justice oriented church in Denver). Tory has experience using Godly Play, a faith-formation program grounded in hands-on learning to help young people develop and engage in understanding the values of the Episcopal faith. Formerly our Middle School Chaplain since 2018, Pastor Tory became the All School Chaplain in 2022. Tory also holds a Bachelor of Music and has expreience leading congregational singing and church ensembles.


Ben Poulsen

Art – Ben Poulsen

Ben is originally from the Bay Area and attended middle and high school in Boulder. He's been living and teaching overseas for the past 14 years in Taiwan, Korea, and Mainland China. Ben has a BFA from Evangel University, with a Drawing, Painting, and Ceramics focus, and a Masters of Elementary Education from the College of New Jersey.

Ben cares about empowering student voice and autonomy, teaching creativity skills, and fostering the joys of learning and making art. His favorite thing as a teacher is for students to feel like they are the authors of their own artistic process, from process to product. For the past year, Ben's been exploring making art with the AI MidJourney. In his free time, he enjoys reading sci-fi, playing games with his children, and drawing monsters. Ben's looking forward to joining the St. E's community and meeting all of you.


Laura PruettLower School Spanish Teacher - Laura Pruett

(see above)



Christa JimenezMiddle School Spanish Teacher – Christa Jimenez

Christa's passion for Spanish extends beyond the classroom, and she knows that being bilingual can open lots of door for young people. She graduated from the University of Nebraska with a B.A. in Spanish literature and promptly moved to Costa Rica where she taught school and met her husband.  Later, she began teaching in public high schools across Denver, creating equitable Spanish classes for native speakers of Spanish. She is excited to join her two daughters at St. Elizabeth's. In her free time you can find her dancing or reading a book, so make sure you ask her about books and music- her two favorite topics.

Quinn Pack, Physical Education Teacher/CoachPhysical Education/Health– Quinn Pack

Mr. Q has been a member of the St. Elizabeth's community for thirteen years, and is a parent of two St. Elizabeth's graduates. As an ardent supporter of the school, he organized and founded the first St. E's fun run and also served as president of our parent association. He values health, fitness and physical education, and competes in masters track & field, where he holds an American record. He is a high school track & field coach, and avid outdoorsman, who enjoys climbing, hiking, mountain biking, birding and fly fishing. Mr. Q coaches our middle school cross country, and climbing teams. He hails from Maryland, and holds a B.S. in elementary education. 

default imageTheater Specials Teacher – Amber Williams

Amber Williams brings her impressive and expansive experience in both professional counseling and acting to St. Elizabeth's as our Theatre Specials Teacher. She holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Loyola Marymount University as well as an M.Ed. in Educational Administration: Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment from Regis University, where she also earned a certificate in Child and Adolescent counseling and an MA in Drama Therapy from New York University. She is also a Registered Drama Therapist through the North American Drama Therapy Association and a licensed professional counselor in the state of Colorado. This unique blend of Child and Adolescent counseling and Drama Therapy allows Amber to bring to the classroom an approach to theatre that is unequaled at any other Denver independent school. Amber's teaching experience includes posts at Denver East High School (her alma mater), Montebello, and Lincoln High School. Her acting career included jobs in comedy clubs, plays, and television in Los Angeles. When Amber isn't helping students navigate their emotional journeys through theatre at St. Elizabeth's, you'll find her baking something tasty in her kitchen, spending time with her beloved family, or watching the Great British Baking Show.


St-Elizabeths_logoLibrary - Amanda Bissel

Amanda has voluntered regularly all year in the SES library and took on the formal leadership of the library program in early 2024. She is a passionate advocate of reading as a means to explore the world around us and to cultivate empathy for others. She has an amazing love for and knowledge of great children’s literature. 


Nikki WinansGr. 4th - 8th Social Justice Studies Teacher – Nikki Winans

(See Above)


Tory Doerksen photo

Teacher Mentor – Dr Carolyn Jones

Carolyn comes to St. Elizabeth's School with over 40 years of experience, serving as a social studies teacher, middle and high school counselor, head of a high school counseling department, director of two multicultural education departments, Aurora Public Schools and Cherry Creek School District. In addition, she served for eight years as an adjunct professor at Denver University School of Education working with graduate students seeking an advanced degree in education.
She earned a Bachelor degree from Regis College in Denver majoring in sociology and psychology, a Master’s degree from the University of New Mexico in Counseling and Guidance, a Ph.D. in Curriculum Leadership from the University of Denver, School of Education, and a certification in Family Therapy from the University of Denver, School of Social Work. She is a psychotherapist with a 35-year-old private practice serving children, adolescents, individuals, couples, and families. We’re thrilled to have Dr. Jones on our staff as a New Teacher Mentor and as a member of our Board. Welcome to St. E’s, Dr. Jones!

Erin RupeK-8 Learning Support Coordinator – Erin Rupe

Erin Rupe began her journey with St. E's as the Middle School Learning Specialist and is excited to step into a new role to further support students, families, and teachers in our amazing community.  For over 25 years, Erin has been an educator including a variety of roles such as a special education teacher, a teacher of the blind/visually impaired, a classroom teacher, and a curriculum coordinator. Erin holds a B.S. in Child Development and Family Relations from the University of Texas at Austin, and a M.A. in Teaching/Special Education from the University of Puget Sound. Erin lives the value of being a lifelong learner and is constantly seeking out new professional development and teacher certifications. When she’s not engaged in these pursuits, you can find her hiking, spending time with her family, or generally enjoying the great outdoors.

Julie DaniLower School Learning Specialist – Julie Dani

Julie has worked in pre-K through post-secondary education for over 20 years.  She has served as a teacher, learning specialist, instructional coach and school administrator in both public and independent schools.  Julie holds an undergraduate degree in K-8 general education and special education from the University of Texas and a Master's degree in Special Education from the University of Kansas.  Julie also has extensive coursework in school administration, universal design in learning and equity in education.  Julie believes that access to high quality literacy instruction is a basic human right. Julie's literacy training includes: Orton-Gillingham advanced certification, Science of Reading, Thinking Strategies and culturally responsive literacy practices.  Julie is a strong advocate for neurodivergent students and their families. Julie is deeply passionate about the mission of St.E's and feels immense gratitude every day for the opportunity to be part of such an authentic, brilliant (and imperfect) community that is courageously striving to co-create a more compassionate world.  Outside of school, Julie loves being in nature, reading, being creative and spending time with family and friends.  One of Julie's greatest joys (and most humbling life experiences) is fumbling through parenting with her partner.  Together they are raising two strong girls, who inspire her daily and teach her how to be a better human.


Ellen ParmanGrant-Funded Lower School Academic Interventionalist – Ellen Parman

Ellen began her teaching career in the mid-2000s as an Outdoor Educator with Denver Public Schools.  She has served as a Lead Classroom Teacher and as an Education Policy Researcher.  Ellen found her niche in the education world as a Reading Interventionist; a role she has held in both public and independent schools for the past decade.  Ellen believes access to high quality literacy instruction should be available to all, and that it should be fun! She is trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach and has supported teachers and parents with utilizing research-based literacy interventions. Ellen received her undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies and History from Bowdoin College and earned a Master’s degree from the University of Colorado, Denver. She holds a Professional Teacher License with endorsements in Elementary Education and Special Education. Ellen is an amatuer naturalist and is passionate about connecting children with the wonder of nature.  She enjoys nature journaling, volunteering with the Colorado Spider Survey, and time outdoors with her family.


Tonya LemmonsMiddle School Learning Support Teacher – Tonya Lemmons

Tonya is an inquisitive, patient educationalist committed to promoting student confidence and facilitating students on their journey toward discovering their identity, purpose, and direction. She believes deeply in empowering students to become self-directed and self-aware life learners by modeling her love for learning for its own sake. Tonya graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, with a degree in English. She has been a private tutor for over 14 years, mostly with middle and high school students. She enjoys partnering with all stakeholders in a child's life and seeks opportunities to build trusting relationships by prioritizing authenticity and integrity. Tonya has a passion for children's literature and worked as an educational bookseller at The Bookies, Denver's premier children's bookstore, for 16 years. She also worked for several years with the program Ready to Succeed, an early childhood outreach program housed at the Hope Center in Denver. This outreach program had a vital literacy component, and Tonya worked, through home visits, with diverse families, helping them to prepare their preschoolers for kindergarten. She has also been a part of the early childhood music community in Park Hill for over 20 years. Tonya continues working with preschool children in her spare time by creating rich music environments filled with the joy of story music and movement. She can't wait to share her heart for children and co-create with the St. Elizabeth's community.


Maggie ClarkLower School Math Coach – Maggie Clark

Maggie is a dedicated math educator with extensive experience in teaching and coaching. From her current role as Math Coach at St. Elizabeth’s to her previous positions with Houghton Mifflin Publishing Company and Jefferson County Public Schools, Maggie has demonstrated a commitment to improving math instruction and supporting educators. With a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Maggie brings a wealth of knowledge to her work. Outside of education, she enjoys traveling and spending time in the mountains. Maggie is thrilled to be part of St. Elizabeth's inclusive community and looks forward to making a positive impact on students and colleagues alike.

Larissa MarceauSchool Counselor – Larissa Marceau

Larissa received her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Denver. She is passionate about engaging youth to help them understand themselves and the world around them in accessible ways. Larissa’s work in schools has brought her around the world and helped her understand the importance for compassion and the need to honor diversity when working with students and families. She worked as an English teacher in Korea then returned to the states where she taught yoga and mindfulness in elementary schools. Larissa has worked closely with military families and facilitated groups to help elementary students cope with the stress of a deployed parent. Most recently, Larissa has helped resettle refugees in Denver and worked
directly with youth in crisis. She is thrilled to use these experience and skills to help students at St. Elizabeth’s thrive. In her free time Larissa spends time with her daughter and is outside enjoying the beauty that Colorado has to offer.

Ellen ParmanSpeech Language Pathologist –Hannah Zax

Hannah is the lead speech-language pathologist at Developmental FX. Prior to DFX, she served as a speech-language pathology instructor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, where she provided assessment and early intervention services for families in the community, and participated on an interdisciplinary autism diagnostic team at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Hannah was also a fellow in the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Program at JFK Partners. Her research and educational interests include language development, autism, and naturalistic and community-based intervention. Hannah is a certified Hanen More Than Words and It Takes Two to Talk instructor, and is trained in the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) and Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (PROMPT). She received her master’s degree in speech language pathology from the University of Colorado, and her bachelor’s degree from Tulane University.In her spare time, Hannah can be found playing ultimate frisbee, attending live music events, enjoying the mountains, or spending time with her husband and two dogs.


Ellen ParmanOccupational Therapist –Natalie Parker

Natalie comes a rowdy family of six and because of this lifestyle she knew she wanted to help others and work with children. Following in her siblings footsteps, she attended Michigan State University earning her bachelors degree in Kinesiology; it wasn’t coincidence that she came across the field of Occupational Therapy.  After achieving her Masters degree in Occupational Therapy, Natalie and her partner Alan moved to Colorado.  You see, it was written in the stars for her to foster the development and livelihood of others in the field of Occupational Therapy as well as live in a state full of sunshine and adventure!  The stars continue to align as Natalie blossoms in knowledge, experience and joy along side the team at Developmental Fx.  Natalie loves utilizing a variety of therapeutic techniques and craves finding what works best for each individual and their families; meeting the clients where they are and finding that' just right challenge', the therapy that fits!  She values that learning is a lifestyle, in addition to this she also fits in puppy snuggles, laughter, yoga and outside time with family and friends.  Utilizing an evidenced based practice, creativity and smiles can define Natalie’s treating style, she is excited to work with you come say Hi!  

Loree Lindsey photo Extended Day Program Director – Loree Lindsey

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