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Staff Directory

Administration

Vogel, Kate

Principal

I am honored to be back at Arapahoe Ridge! I have been in education since 2002 and have learned so much from the talented educators and mentors I have crossed paths with over the years. My teaching career began at an inner city school in Buffalo, NY. I grew up in a small town between Buffalo and Niagara Falls. My...

Jordan, Liz

Assistant Principal

Originally from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, I have worked in education since 2006 and love being a part of the ARE community! Before ARE, I taught fourth and fifth grade in California, North Carolina, and Colorado. When not working, I enjoy traveling, being outdoors, and attending live sporting and music events...

Office

Geist, Lori

Office Manager , Webmaster

Born and raised in Colorado, Lori has been at ARE since 2006. Lori taught 4th grade at ARE for 7 years and is now working as the office manager. One of her favorite things about ARE is working with people who truly care about what is best for kids. When not in the classroom, Lori enjoys watching her daughter’s...

Brunner, Sharon

Secretary , Registrar

A native of Colorado, Sharon has been at ARE since 2002. Sharon loves working at ARE because everyone always puts first what's best for the children. When not at school you can find Sharon riding her bike, hiking, working out and reading mysteries. Birthday: November 4th Favorite color: Green Favorite food: Q'doba...

Kindergarten

Alimonos, Katie

Kindergarten Teacher

Originally from Las Vegas, Nevada, but having spent most of her life in Colorado, Katie considers Colorado her true home. Katie has been teaching at ARE since 2015 and is thankful for each day she comes to school. Katie considers the best part about ARE to be the sweet students and families as well the kind and...

Martin, Cathy

Kindergarten Teacher

Originally from El Paso, Texas, Cathy has been teaching at ARE since 2007. A favorite part of teaching at ARE for Cathy is helping students find something they are really good at. She wants all of her students to shine and come to school every day and share their knowledge! When not in the classroom Cathy can be found...

Weber, Heather

Kindergarten Teacher

Originally from Southern California, then living in Pagosa Springs, CO, Heather has been at ARE since 2006. She loves the way ARE is more like a family than a school, stating “we love, respect, and care for each other”. Plus, she adds “we have the coolest students and families ever!” Outside of teaching Heather...

1st Grade

Haviland, Charity

1st Grade Teacher

Charity Haviland has been at Arapahoe Ridge since 2011. She is passionate about young students and their learning. When not teaching you will find her with her family. She and her husband have 2 young children as well as a variety of pets. Some of her interests include reading, baking and quilting. Favorite...

Prinster, Gena

1st Grade Teacher

Gena was born and raised in Montana and has been teaching at Arapahoe Ridge since 2003. Gena is a mountain person. She loves to downhill ski, mountain bike, hike and camp in the beautiful Colorado wilderness. Joining in all these fun activities is her husband, Rich, two children, Ryan and Abby, and their yellow lab,...

Young, Jessica

1st Grade Teacher

A native of Colorado, Jessica started at ARE in 2007 and enjoys the sense of community at ARE. She loves that all the kids, staff, and families are so committed to helping each other grow, be successful and have fun throughout the school year. When not in the classroom, you can find Jessica reading, writing, going...

2nd Grade

Coronado, Cindy

2nd Grade Teacher

A native of Cheyenne, WY, Cindy started at ARE in 1998. She has been teaching in the district since 1996. Cindy loves when the students laugh, and show enthusiasm when they are learning new and exciting concepts. When not at school you can find Cindy laughing with her friends, spending time in Wyoming with family...

Haile, Dawn

2nd Grade Teacher

A native of Southern California, Dawn has been at ARE since 2004. Dawn enjoys building relationships with the students, families and colleagues at ARE, and sharing the “light bulb” moment with all of them. It is truly magical! When not at school you can find Dawn cooking, gardening or camping. Dawn has been married...

Staff, Nicole

2nd Grade Teacher

Nicole is a Colorado native. She was born, raised and still resides in Thornton with her 12-year-old cocker spaniel, Lucy. Nicole spent her first 11 years of teaching in kindergarten at Mountain View Elementary. She joined the ARE family as a second grade teacher in 2017 and is looking forward to another great year...

Wagner, Tucker

2nd Grade Teacher

A native of the Tar Heel state (NC for those of you who don't watch college basketball or aren't familiar with the Civil War stories:), Mrs. Tucker Wagner has been a teacher in public schools for 11 years. This is her first year at Arapahoe Ridge Elementary and she is thrilled to begin her new journey with an amazing...

3rd Grade

Brand, Jackie

3rd Grade Teacher

Arapahoe Ridge Elementary alum, Jackie Brand is happy to be back where it all started! She discovered she wanted to be a teacher when she was in second grade right here at Arapahoe Ridge! Jackie taught amongst the peaches in Palisade, CO but is now back with her family on the Front Range. Jackie enjoys spending time...

Knudson, Julie

3rd Grade Teacher

Originally from Fargo, North Dakota, Julie moved out to Colorado for college and fell in love with it! Julie has been teaching since 2003 and is thrilled to be joining the wonderful community of ARE! Julie loves being a part of helping students realize how to grow as learners. When not at school, Julie spends most of...

Lockwood, Jennifer

3rd Grade Teacher

As a Boulder native, Jenny has been a teacher since 2010. She is looking very forward to working at Arapahoe Ridge this year. Jenny has an older sister and older brother, and just recently became an aunt! In her free time, Jenny enjoys running, hiking, spending time outside, reading, working on crafts, traveling,...

Wagner, Lindsay

3rd Grade Teacher

Coming soon...

4th Grade

Bonifas, Cassidy

4th Grade Teacher

Originally from Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Cassidy lived and taught in Baltimore City from 2005-2015. She has taught grades1-3. She is excited to be a part of ARE! She has a brother that lives in Denver and is the reason she made the move out here. She has a pug/beagle/dachshund mix named Maggie, and both have been...

Finnegan, Ali

4th Grade Teacher

Born in Virginia Beach, VA , Ali has always had an affinity for the beach. She loves the peace and serenity that a trip to the beach brings to her life. In addition to traveling to beautiful places, Ali enjoys reading, heated yoga, running, riding her bike, hiking, fitness classes, hanging out with friends and family...

Herby, Michele

4th Grade Teacher

Michele Herby is excited to be back here at Arapahoe Ridge. She came here in 2015 with a background in Literacy and using technology to become 21st Century learners. She looks forward to working with each and every student developing their skills using technology in every aspect of their learning experience here at...

Kelly, Meghan

4th Grade Teacher

Meghan joined Arapahoe Ridge last January and is very excited to teach fourth grade in the 2018-2019 school year! Originally from Howell, New Jersey, Meghan recently relocated to Colorado and traded in the beach for the mountains! Prior to moving, she also taught 4th grade for several years in New Jersey. Aside...

5th Grade

Fielding, Kelly

5th Grade Teacher

Originally from Pagosa Springs, Colorado, Kelly joined the ARE family in 2012. She loves the positive vibe and the dedication of the kids at ARE. The staff and students know how to work hard and play hard! Outside of ARE, Kelly enjoys reading, working out, and skiing. You can find Kelly reading any of the Harry...

Glass, Nell

5th Grade Teacher

A native to Colorado, Nell has been teaching in Adams 12 since 2001. She feels lucky to be surrounded by thoughtful, reflective educators that teach her something new about her craft every day. When not teaching, you can find Nell outdoors with her husband, two sons and two dogs. You might catch her running, hiking...

Hassell, Tami

5th Grade Teacher

A native of Colorado, Tami has been at ARE since 2008. Her favorite part of teaching at ARE is the feeling that we are all working together: parents, teachers and students. When not in the classroom you can find Tami playing whatever her daughters want to play and going on family vacations. Her favorite book is...

Lardes, Doug

5th Grade Teacher , Webmaster

Despite spending most of his upbringing in Chicago, Illinois, Doug was born in Queens, New York...making him a HUGE New York Mets fan. Doug has been at ARE his entire teaching career; since 2005. Doug has a "Mrs. L" in his life, Bailey, who is also a teacher. Together they have a daughter named Piper, a son named...

Additional Teachers

Holland, Siobhan

ELD Teacher

MEd

Siobhan was born and raised in New York and Pennsylvania in a family of six kids. She has been teaching in Adams 12 Five Star School District since 2005. When not in school, Ms. Holland spends her time with her husband and two year old son, Theo. She enjoys traveling, cooking, mountain biking, hiking, and reading....

Brooks, Debbie

Art Teacher

A native of Colorado, Debbie is certified as a K-12 art teacher, but loves teaching elementary art! She has been teaching at ARE since the year after it opened, 1999. Before ARE, Debbie taught art at Thornton Elementary and Tarver Elementary. Her favorite part of ARE is the creativity of the students. Outside of ARE,...

Foubert, Zach

P.E. Teacher

A native of Colorado, Zach has been at ARE for his entire teaching career; since 2003. Zach enjoys when students are fully engaged in the physical activities of P.E. and leave sweating and smiling. When not at school you can find Zach playing golf, spending time with his family and friends, or at a Colorado Rockies...

Girardin (Sobczak), Andrea

Music Teacher

Originally from The Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, Andrea has been at ARE since 2012. She has been teaching music in Colorado schools since 1996. Her favorite part of teaching at Arapahoe Ridge is having the unique opportunity to introduce the world of music to every student in the school. She is in charge of the...

Blake, Deborah

Learning Specialist

BA, MA

Deborah has been a teacher in the Adams 12 5-Star School District since 2002. During that time, she has taught in the general education classroom, been a Reading Interventionist, a Coach and Special Education teacher. Originally from Connecticut, Deborah moved to Colorado in 1997 with her husband and daughter. ...

Woods, Robin

Learning Specialist

Robin grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and Detroit. She moved to Colorado in 1996 drawn to the mountains and the outdoor lifestyle. In her spare time, she loves to hike, camp, bike, swim, and dance around with her kids Matthew and Jennifer. She loves reading adventure stories and memoirs. She has two German...

Keating, Angie

Librarian

A Native to Colorado, Angie is relatively new to Arapahoe Ridge as the Teacher Librarian. Before becoming a librarian, she taught kindergarten, 2nd and 4th grade. She really enjoys ARE, especially the passionate staff and friendly students. Her favorite author is Mo Willems and when not working you can find Angie...

Hayden, Gwyndolyn

Speech & Language Pathologist

A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Gwyn has been the speech language pathologist at ARE since August 2015! Before ARE Gwyn provided speech services at Thornton High School while working in Adams 12 from October 2013 -June 2015. She has also worked extensively in elementary schools as a speech pathologist from 2009-...

Support Staff

Collier, Carlene

Paraeducator , Media Clerk

A native of North Carolina, Carlene has now been living in Colorado since 1993! She first became connected with ARE as a parent, with all three of her children attending ARE in elementary school! She began her work as our Library Media Clerk in 2003. Before that she spent three years working as a substitute teacher in...

Rebarchik, Bobbi Jo

Paraeducator

Bobbi is a native of colorful Colorado. She lives with her husband Dan, two beautiful daughters and an abundance of pets. She started working for Adams 12 in 2009 but just this year landed at ARE. She herself graduated from Adams 12, as did her two daughters. She really loves the "family" atmosphere here at ARE and...

Snyder, Cindy

Paraeducator , BASE Program

A native of Colorado, Cindy has been working at ARE since it opened! Outside of ARE you can find Cindy watching her daughter play softball and going to dinner with family and friends. Cindy has two children, Eric and Amanda. She also has a chocolate lab named Torque. Favorite color: yellow Favorite food: Mexican...

Weiss, Susan

Paraeducator

Susan was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs and moved to Colorado in 1991. Before ARE she was a volunteer at multiple schools in the Adams 12 School District. She loves hiking, playing basketball in the driveway, going to swim meets and dancing with her three kids. When not taking her kids around town she'...

Kennel, Stephanie

Social Worker

Coming soon...

BASE

Hart, Michael

BASE Director

A native of the colorful state of Colorado, Michael is in his seventh year of being the Director of Arapahoe Ridge's BASE Program. Michael has been working within the BASE Programs in District Twelve since 2001. Michael's favorite part of his job is listening to the crazy, yet inventive reasons that children give, as...

Health

Norman, Bretta

Health Aide

Bretta is a native of Colorado. She recently retired on December 31, 2015 after working 30 years in a local family practice office. Her retirement lasted only six weeks and is happy working at Arapahoe Ridge! She loves the elementary students! During her spare time she likes working in her back yard with her ponds...

Gallo, Karen

Occupational Therapist

Karen has worked at ARE since 2001, in addition to 2-3 other schools depending on the year. In her spare time you can find Karen on the tennis courts, yoga studio, or hiking trails. She has 2 teenage children. One fun fact is Karen use to sail, and work in a smoothie shop when she lived on the beach in Florida....

Nutrition

Martinez, Cindy

Nutrition Services Manager

A native of Colorado, Cindy’s dad was in the Air Force so she traveled a lot. She lived in Spain, Las Vegas, Texas, and moved to Colorado in 1969. Cindy has been married to her husband Ruben since 1978. They have 1 son, Michael, and twin daughters, Jennifer and Jessica. She also has 2 granddaughters and 1 grandson...

Iwane, Patty

Nutrition Services Asst. Manager

A native of Anaheim, California, Patty spent 16 years in Hawaii and has been in Colorado since 1975. Patty has been at Arapahoe Ridge since it opened. Patty works in Nutrition Services and enjoys providing the students with nutritious lunches. Outside of school, Patty enjoys scenic hikes, cooking, reading, walking her...

Custodial

Meier, Tim

Head Custodian

A native of Thornton, Colorado, Tim is a product of Adams District 12, graduating from Horizon High School in 2005. Tim spends most of his free time camping, going to Broncos games and enjoying time with family and friends. Tim started working at Arapahoe Ridge Elementary in 2013 but has been with this school district...

Filter Staff