Steve Ollanik
Steve Ollanik is working ½ time as a classroom teacher and ½ time as Talented and Gifted coordinator. He has been teaching at Columbine for his entire educational career, since 1996. He has taught 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade.Before teaching he spent 16 years in Silicon Valley as a software engineer and engineering manager. He has a Bachelors degree from MIT in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science as well as a Masters in Education from University of Colorado . He has also received extensive training in differentiating instruction and teaching English as a Second Language. When not in the classroom, Mr. Ollanik is an avid reader and hiker. His biggest passion, though, is woodworking. Most of his summers are spent working in a woodshop in his garage.
Jen Hutman Biography
Jen Hutman grew up in a small town outside of Baltimore, Maryland. She began her undergraduate studies at Penn State University and completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts at CU- Boulder with an emphasis in Photography & Printmaking. After working for several years in film production, graphic design and website design, Jen went back to school to receive her teaching certification and to pursue a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology.
Jen Hutman is excited to be teaching at Columbine for her second year. Before working for the Boulder Valley Public Schools, she taught fourth grade for two years in the Brighton 27j School District, and Pre-K / Kindergarten for three years at a private school in Boulder. She also had the opportunity to live and teach third grade in Tegucigalpa, Honduras for one year. In addition, she taught Multimedia Design at Front Range Community College.
In her spare time, Jen likes to be as active as possible. She enjoys doing yoga, snowboarding, road-biking, camping, and just about anything else that allows her to explore the outdoors. She spends most of her free time with her awesome son, Jaden, who is now in the fifth grade. Jen loves to play her guitar, sing and write music. She hopes to be a rock star in her next life!
Jesse Ascunce Biography
Jesse Ascunce is originally from Bowling Green, Ohio and graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Business Degree. The hospitality industry whisked him far away to Boulder, Colorado. When he arrived, he accepted a hospitality position in Boulder where he trained employees for success in their positions. He discovered his passion for helping others become the best they could to succeed. He decided that a career change was in order and completed the Elementary Education program at the University of Colorado. With many experiences working in Boulder Valley School District and Columbine Elementary, he grew to take tremendous pride in the Columbine Community. There he saw a school that cared so much about the cultures that made up the student body. He is extremely excited to be a part of Columbine’s 4th grade team this year. Jesse is an avid mountain biker, hiker, climber, and skier. He also enjoys swinging in a hammock and relaxing whenever he can.