Specialists

Biographies

Teacher - Intervention Team

Erin Brennan (Special Education) COMING SOON

Katherine Brown (Special Education) COMING SOON

Corby Connolly (ESL) COMING SOON

Kelly Daggett-Clark (CLIP) COMING SOON

Ingrid Femenias (ESL)

Ingrid Femenias graduated in 1990 from the University of Utah with her Bachelors degree in Fine Art with an emphasis in photography. While working in a residential adolescent treatment facility Ingrid attended Utah State University to obtain her teaching certification in special education. She taught special education for eleven years in Utah, Pennsylvania, and Colorado specializing in mild/moderate disabilities. In 2006 she graduated from the University of Colorado with a Masters of Education, Equity, and Cultural Diversity. This marks Ingrid’s first year teaching English as a Second Language and her seventh year teaching in Boulder Valley School District. She hopes to continue teaching at Alicia Sanchez Elementary next year and for many years to come.

Susan Lee (Day Treatment Instructor)

Susan has been teaching special education for 23 years. The last 6 of those have beeb here at Sanchez. She feels that Sanchez is the greatest place to be because of the students, parents and staff. Everyone is so friendly and appreciative. New students and families come into the building and within hours most of them feel right at home. Susan enjoys being in the outdoors. Fly-fishing, hiking and snowshoeing are some of her favorite things to do with her family, friends and Oscar, her dog.

Demian Mesa-Hall (School Psychologist) COMING SOON

Michelle Niemann (Day Treatment Instructor) COMING SOON

Allison Oddie (Literacy Specialist and CLIP Teacher)

Alison is in her second year at Sanchez as a Literacy Teacher, and her fifth year as a CLIP Specialist. She has been a Literacy Teacher in the Boulder Valley School District for seven years, and was previously a reading teacher with the BVSD Interdisciplinary Resource Team.
She has taught in England and New Zealand as well as the United States. She holds a Bachelor of Arts with 1st class honors from the University of Otago, New Zealand, a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, with Distinction, from the University of London, United Kingdom, (where she was awarded the John Dover Wilson Memorial Prize for the highest mark of distinction), and a Master of Arts degree in Literacy, from the University of Colorado.

Her passions include classical music, reading, gardening and cycling. Her favorite spectator sport is rugby.

Alison lived in Australia, England, Israel, Finland, and her home country of New Zealand, before immigrating to the United States of America in 1994. There is no place she would rather be than Colorado, and no school where she would rather be than Sanchez.

Anne O’Rourke (Literacy Coach) COMING SOON

Nicole Phillips (Speech-Language Pathologist)

After graduating with he masters from University of Colorado at Boulder, this is the 5^{th year Nicole has been practicing speech-language pathology (3rd year at Sanchez). At Sanchez, she currently serves both the elementary school as well at the preschools which meet here. She has thoroughly enjoyed working here, although she is now preparing to take some time away from Sanchez…as she is expecting her first child due on June 1st. Yeah! She and her husband are waiting for the birth to find out if it is a boy or a girl, but would be thrilled with either.}

^{They are having a hard time picking out names, so submit yours to the front office and, just like American Idol, the name that gets the most votes will be chosen.}

^{Tiffany Robi (Ocupational Therapist) COMING SOON
Carl Sanchez (School Counselor)Carl recently moved to Colorado from New Mexico and while he still misses the food -- he has lost some weight. Before becoming a school counselor, he taught various subjects to various age groups in middle school. During that time he has been a science, math, art, shop, and language arts teacher. Taking the "Jack of All Trades" label to the next step, he became a school counselor. He was a school counselor for several more years in New Mexico before moving to Colorado and becoming one of the only elementary school counselors in BVSD.
Carl spends every second of free time with his two kids playing sports, hiking and exploring. "I’ve enjoyed being at Sanchez Elementary – meeting great kids and families – and working to make Sanchez Elementary a welcoming, fun and inviting place."
"And, no, the school wasn’t named after me!"}^{^{Diane Witt (ESL) COMING SOON}
^{David Woodward ^{(Math Coach)}}
David Woodward is a native of Colorado and received his Masters degree from the University of Colorado. As long time classroom teacher he always had a passion for math education. He has spoken numerous times at educator conferences in Colorado, around the United States, and internationally about current brain research and learning mathematics. He came to Sanchez after a two year leave of absence to teach in Costa Rica. Mr. Woodward’s other interests include skiing and playing music. He has also created a musical CD for children entitled "Virtuous Tunes Vol. 1: Gila Monster and Other Hits." As a math coach he supports math instruction throughout the school. This is his first year with Sanchez, but he hopes to remain for many years to come. Check out David's webpage at: http://adams.bvsd.org/~davidwoodward/mathcoachsite.htm

Teacher - Specialist Team
Pat Kayser (Physical Education)
Pat has a Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education and also in Therapeutic Recreation. She LOVES teaching the students at Alicia Sanchez because they are kind to each other and very appreciative of the special activities offered at the school. Pat skis, snowboards and hikes with her family and friends during her spare time.
Michael Symber (Art Specialist)}

^{Michael Symber is a graduate of The School of the Art Institute of Chicago with a Bachelor’s of Fine Art Degree, and an emphasis in sculpture and bronze casting. He began as an apprentice to Chicago sculptor Richard Hunt upon graduation, and worked for him for five years. While Michael also worked in five bronze foundries, he learned the craft of welding and fabricating steel from Hunt.}

^{Michael is a working sculptor at present and shows his work at the Walker Fine Art Gallery in Denver, as well as the Evergreen Fine Art Gallery. Michael’s work is abstract but often incorporates symbolic images such as violins, fish and tools.}

^{Michael began his education degree at Northeastern Illinois University, and after moving to Colorado, received his license from Regis University, Denver.}

^{Michael began teaching at Sanchez four years ago while sharing his time at Lafayette Elementary. It has been a blessing to have Sanchez become an IB school as it has allowed him to offer his students tow art classes a week. One class focuses on an art-based curriculum and one class which integrates the art into culture, history, and geography extended from classroom curriculum.}

^{Michael has two daughters who are the love of his life. In addition to their singing, Tae Kwon Do, Competitive Softball, and artistic talents, they are strong, hilarious, and loving girls.}

^{Becky Wakefield (Media Specialist)}

^{Becky Wakefield has wanted to be a teacher from the first day of first grade! She loves teaching the Sanchez students in the library, and helping them to explore great literature. She is married and has 2 grown sons and a daughter-in-law. She and her family have lived in Lafayette since 1979 and love it. They also enjoy walking around town to the great public library, restaurants, and coffee shops!}

Kimberly Zurliene (Music)

Kimberly Zurliene is a graduate of the University of Colorado with a Bachelor degree in Music with an emphasis in Education. She is currently working on her Masters degree in Music Education at Colorado State University with an emphasis in the Kodaly Method.

Kimberly focuses her teaching on in-tune singing and music literacy (reading and writing music) thought the use of children singing games and folk music. She also incorporates listening, movement and instrument playing in every lesson. Kimberly strongly believes that every child is capable of making music and that music is an important part in developing a well-rounded child.

Kimberly started her teaching career at Sanchez Elementary six years ago as a first year teacher and couldn’t imagine teaching anywhere else. "I love seeing the students grow year after year and their enthusiasm about learning music is contagious." Kimberly looks forward to many more years of teaching at Alicia Sanchez Elementary.

Sherrill Jones (Dragon Discovery Coordinator)

Sherrill J. Jones is a graduate of the University of Maryland, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiological Science, with an emphasis in Sports Medicine and Athletic Training. She has 10 years experience working in healthcare as an Athletic Trainer, and Outpatient Physical Therapy Office Manager.

Sherrill has enjoyed diverse careers including owner/manager of a health club; an independent manufacturers' sales representative (covering a four-state territory); a chef at a golf course; office manager of a large interior design firm; customer service representative for an import/export company; infant clothing designer & manufacturer; and a fashion jewelry designer & manufacturer. Sherrill continues to do bookkeeping for a few long time clients, as well as some marketing and computer publishing pieces for her clients.

Sherrill came to Sanchez Elementary 6 years ago as a substitute teacher. She enjoyed working with the students and teachers at Sanchez so much that when, in January 2006, she was offered the position as coordinator of the 21st Century Community Learning Center – Dragon Discovery, she jumped at the chance. In addition she currently oversees the Talented and Gifted program, and continues to substitute teach when she can.

Through the years, Sherrill has honed her skills through her work experiences and through continuing education. Sherrill loves the challenge of learning, and is constantly taking courses to keep her up to date on developments in computer applications.

Sherrill is a longtime resident of the Broomfield area… a native of the Washington, D.C. area – her family shuffled between D.C. and Chicago during the first 10 years of her life… before heading west to Colorado… She graduated from high school in Hamburg, NY – and it wasn’t long after graduating from college that she followed her family back to Colorado – and has made the state her home for more years than she cares to admit.

Sherrill shares her home with 2 little Pugs, Petunia and Violet – who you may recognize from their pictures in the Sanchez office wall calendars.

Classes & Staff

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