Janet Hoaglund's Bio
Janet Hoaglund has been in the education field since 1987. She taught primarily second grade at Mapleton Elementary School from 1987 to 1994, obtained her M.A. in elementary education in 1990, and has taught Japanese privately for many years. Janet grew up in Japan and attended public elementary school there. From 1994 to 2004 Janet taught Japanese and later worked at the Program for Teaching East Asia, a non-profit professional development organization at the University of Colorado. Janet worked with teachers who teach Japan in their classrooms and espcially coordinated the "It's Elementary"service project pairing CU students studying Japanese with first grade teachers in BVSD. Janet joined the Columbine staff in the fall of 2005 as a K-Care Specialist. She moved into the position of second grade teacher in the summer of 2006. Janet believes that Columbine not only educates students well but produces a bi-cultural student, an important characteristic for people living in a rapidly globalizing world. Janet enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, music and Japanese food and movies. Janet also loves children's literature.
Tim Mullins
Tim was born and raised in Denver. When not teaching he enjoys all kinds of outdoor recreation, reading, playing his guitar and piano, and hanging out with his nine nieces and nephews. He studied abroad in Guadalajara, Mexico while in college.
Tamar Van Vliet
Tamar van Vliet is very excited for her second year as part of the first/second grade looping team! She has previously taught both a first/second grade combination class and a first grade class. Tamar completed her undergraduate degree in Spanish language and literature at the University of Colorado and also studied at the University of Costa Rica for one year. She is currently pursuing her masters degree in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education at the University of Colorado. Tamar loves teaching, traveling, running, hiking, gardening, and reading.
Sue Parsons
Welcome to Columbine Elementary. You will love it here because (in the words of our school song), “we’re the best in the Rockies they all say. We’re the place where kids are number one, the place where learning is fun. Every child (and staff member) is smart and they all do their part” to make this school an awesome place to learn. With outstanding leadership, a highly educated staff, wonderful students and supportive parents I have found a workplace that challenges me to be the best I can be and to embrace a learning experience that is constantly growing and never stagnate.
I have been a first/second grade looping teacher at Columbine for 9 years. Before that, I was teaching a K-2 multiage in California for 10 years at a school much like Columbine. Prior to teaching, I was a grower of alfalfa and grain and a rancher/cowboy(girl) with a 1,000 head of cattle to feed out each winter in the northeast corner of California. Today my passion is teaching and working for the success of all students here at Columbine. I recently completed my Masters in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on Literacy, Language and Culture. When I am not at school, I enjoy . . . oh . . . wait a minute, I’m always at school—but that’s my choice and that’s where I want to be.