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OUR STAFF
We are very pleased to introduce our staff to our Merit Academy families. The members of this team are amazing, highly qualified, passionate about children and education, and share Merit Academy's vision and foundational principles.
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We strive to have the strongest and best educational team possible for not just this year, but in years to come. Get to know your staff! You will be so glad you did!
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Mrs. HENDRICKSON
Somnia magna agite in hoc
Dream big, then act on it!
DEAN OF
GRAMMAR SCHOOL
MA, CO Licensed: Early Education, READ Act
Specialist: Early Education
11 years teaching elementary
6 years teaching at the college level
11 years as an administrator
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Mrs. HANSON
Quod consumit animum tuum dominatur vita tua
What consumes your mind controls your life
DEAN OF
UPPER SCHOOL
M.Ed. Special Education
CO license: K-12 SPED, Elementary Ed
READ Act, Principal's license
17 years experience: teacher/principal
Dr. PEKRON
aut viam inveniam aut faciam
I will either find a way or make one
HEADMASTER
Founder
Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
25 years in Education/Higher Education
Specialty: Change Management, Organizational Development, Communication, Leadership Development, Team Cohesion, & Performance
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Mrs. Tally
Esto Robustus: Amare, Credere, Perseverare
Be Courageous: Love, Believe, Perservere
Chief Financial Officer
BS: Business Administration
MA: Accoutning
Licensed CPA
SCHOOL OF GRAMMAR
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Mrs. Kinton
Magno animo opus est ad animos iuvenum docendos
It takes a big heart to teach little minds
KINDERGARTEN
BS: Elementary Education
M.Ed: Special Education; Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Education
CO Licensed: ELEM ED, READ ACT
17 years teaching experience
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Mrs. Windish
Tu numquam vetulae ad alium metam
You are never too old to set another goal
KINDERGARTEN
BS: Elementary Education
4 years teacher & 6 years para experience in elementary education
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Mrs. Grubb
Auderet esse praeclarum
Dare to be Remarkable
1ST GRADE
BA: Geography
Read Act Certification
Early Childhood Education Certification
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Mrs. Richardson
Surgimus elevando alios
We rise by lifting others
1ST GRADE
BS: Early Education
CO License in K-6, READ Act
33 years teaching experience in elementary education
Ms. Crawford
Semper Optimum
Always try your best
2ND GRADE
BS: Early Childhood Education
20 years education experience
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Mrs. Edgin
AMOR ET SECUNDUM
SEMPER EO ORDINE
Love and success, always in that order
2ND GRADE
BS: Early Education
CO License in K-6, READ Act
3 years teaching experience in Elementary Education
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Ms. Meyers
Hodie, i eligere gaudium
Today, I choose joy!
3rd Grade
BS: Interdisciplinary Studies- Elementary Education
Minor: Early Childhood Education
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Mrs. Bosse
Posside sapientiam, Posside Prudentiam
Get wisdom, Get understanding
4th Grade
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Mrs. Swinhart
Qui docere audet, semper discit
Who dares to teach must
never cease to learn.
K-1 Science
BS: Early Childhood Education
TX/OK License in Elementary Ed,
+ CO: READ Act
10 years education experience
10 years working with special needs
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Mrs. Oakley
Est Bonum vis Videre in Mundo
Be the change you wish to see in the world
2-4 Science
17 years educational experience
Colorado State WorKeys Proficiency Certificate for Teacher's Assistants
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Ms. Stevenson
Nutrimentum creativity et integritas
Nurture creativity and integrity
K-5 ART
BA: Liberal Arts & Elementary Education
CO Licensed: K-6, Reading
Writing, Communication
*PD for Art Endorsement
20 years teaching experience
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Mr. Behr
Sed contra, beatitudo non est aliquid paratum. Ex propriis actionibus fit
Happiness is not something ready-made.
It comes from your own actions
K-5 PE
BA+30: Education/Special Education
Prior MT/IA licenses
20 years teaching & coaching K-College
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Mrs. Basnett
Semper Positivo animo et Beneficium Dubitationis
Always assume positive intent & give the benefit of the doubt
K-5 Music, Music Department Chair
BS: Music Education
CO Licensed: Music K-12
13 years experience teaching Music
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Ms. Winn
Numquam numquam
numquam desistas
Never, never, never give up
Homeschool Coordinator, Intervention
BA: Theology
BA: Elementary Education
Prior License (AZ) Elementary Ed
17 years experience in Public/Private/Charter/Homeschool
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Ms. Carver
Per Aspera ad astra
Through hardness to the stars
K-3 Latin
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Ms. Faircloth
Docendo Discimus
By teaching, we learn
4th & 5th Latin, Payroll
BS: Spanish & Accounting
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Ms. Carver
Gratias agere et nihil praesumpseram
Give thanks and take nothing for granted
Preschool Director
Early Childhood Teacher for 20 years
Early Childhood Director for 8 Years
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Mrs. Rohman
Ubi amor est vita est
Where there is love, there is life
Preschool Teacher
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Mrs. Starr
Usu temere beneficiis gratuiti actus pulchritudinis
Practice random acts of kindness & selfless acts of beauty
Teacher's Aide
4 years as a SPED paraeducator
7 years as an Asst PreK Teacher
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Ms. Straus
Rege cum amore, cum patientia doce, semper inspira
Guide with love, teach with patience, inspire always
Teacher's Aide
UPPER SCHOOL: SCHOOLS OF LOGIC & RHETORIC
Mrs. Flickinger
Memento vivere
Remember to Live
Upper School English
LANGUAGE ARTS,
BA: Elementary Education
M.Ed: Literacy
CO Licensed: ESL, Language Arts, &
Social Science
5 years teaching at college level
6 years teaching at secondary level
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Ms. Mancha
Tene Veritatem et Quaere Sapientiam
Hold to truth and seek wisdom
School of Rhetoric English Language Arts
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Ms. Millar
Ut Nostra Admiratio Numquam Marcescet.
May our sense of wonder never fade.
School of Logic English Language Arts
BA: English Literature
5 years experience in Secondary Education
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Mr. Baade
Vita magna, si non debilitant
Life is great if you don't weaken
School of Rhetoric History
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Mrs. Cole
Sapientia Incipti Admirari
Wisdom begins in wonder
School of Rhetoric HISTORY
BA: Elementary Education
MA: History, Emphasis in Education
CO Teaching License;
College Instructor: History
17 years teaching experience
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Mr. Schaefer
Si Furturum est, mihi agendum est
If it's to be, it's up to me!
School of Logic History
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MRS. PETTY
OMNE AURUM NON FULGET
All that is gold does not glitter
Upper School: Engineering/Math
BS: Electrical Engineering
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MRS. PRIEST
COGITO ERGO SUM
Do All Things With Your Best Effort
School of Logic Math. Department Chair STEM
BS: Elementary Education
CO Licensed: Math 6-8, Read Act
9 years experience: teaching
Middle School Math, Team Lead,
MTSS Coach/Interventionist
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Mrs. Viele
UPPER SCHOOL Math
3rd year at Merit, BS in Engineering, Project Management Certifications. More than 20 years as systems engineer & Project manager for imaging and workflow solutions
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Ms. Wilson
Tu numquam vetulae discere aliquid novi
You are never too old to learn something new
Upper School Math
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Mr. Dalton
Fortuna Eruditis Favet
Fortune Favors the Prepared Mind
Upper School Science, Academic Advisor
Certified High School Teacher for Chemistry, Physics, Astronomy, & Biology
6 Years Educational Experience
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Mr. Lundt
scientia sit potentia
Knowledge is Power
UPPER SCHOOL SCIENCE
BS: Science, Avian Science + 120 hrs
CO Licensed: Secondary Science, Biological
32 years experience teaching Science
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Ms. Richardson
Amor et humor sunt lumina quae lectionem consilia illustrant
Love and humor are the lights that illuminate the lesson plan
6th & 7th Grade Science
BA: Teaching
Certified Teacher
25+ Graduate school hours
5 years educational experience
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Mr. Pekron
Nil Difficile Volenti
Nothing is difficult for the willing.
UPPER SCHOOL SPANISH, Athletic Director
BS: PHYSICAL EDUCATION
MA: SPORTS ADMINISTRATION
CO Licensed: K-12 World Languages, PE
27 years teaching Spanish & PE
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Mrs. Halcomb
HODIE MATERIA FAC
Make Today Matter
UPPER SCHOOL
Learning Coach, french & german
3 years educational experience
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Mrs. Strole
Questae Rectae omina mutare possunt
Having the right mindset can change everything
Upper School
Latin Coach/Vet Sci Instructor
AAS Degree
11 years educational experience
Mr. Snelus
Quid sit Optimum ad Bigas
Do what's best for the team
Upper School Woodworking & Welding
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MRS. PETERSON-HIRSCH
Totus mundus agit histrionem
All the world plays the actor
UPPER SCHOOL Theater
MA: Teaching, Literature & Communications
BA: Media Studies
A.A.S. Music & VisualTechnology
37 years educational experience
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STUDENT
SUPPORT
TEAM
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Mrs. Bucher
Omnes Enim aliquid docere ac discere
We all have something to teach and learn
SOG Intervention & Assistant Dean
BA: Elementary Ed;
MA: Special Education;
CO License: Elementary Ed,
5-21 SPED, READ Act,
Principal License
22 years experience teaching
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MRS. Kaufmann
Fiat lux
Let there be light
Human Resources, Discipline Dean, ELL Coordinator
MA: Education & Distance Learning
CO Licensed: K-6, Elementary Ed Endorsement, ELL Endorsement
21 years in Education & Higher Education
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Mrs. Lockette
Parum Magna Caritate
Do little things with great love
Department Chair Special Services, MTSS, UIP, ALP, READ Plans, SAC
BA: Elementary Education
MS: Curriculum & Instruction
Principal Endorsement
Certified Elementary Teacher
6-12 Science Teacher
K-12 Reading Interventionist & School Principal
Science CMAS Developer 2017, 2018, & 2019
23 years education experience
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Mrs. Montgomery
Cursum Manere
Stay the course
Testing & Technology Coordinator
BS: Human Development
4 years educational experience
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Dr. Ayantoye
Benedictio qua tu es
Be a blessing wherever you are
Upper School Special Education & American Sign Language
PhD: Special Education & Educational Research
MS: Special Education
BS: Deaf Education
BA: Theology
Sign Language Interpreting Certificate
20 yeas educational experience
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Ms. Jackson
Nihil est Sine Opere
Nothing is achieved without work
School of Grammar Special Education Teacher
MRS. RACZKOWSKI
Fruere quod hodie adfert
Enjoy what today brings you.
READING SPECIALIST
MS: Education; Take Flight Certification
CO Licensed Elementary Ed, READ Act
PK Director Certificate
Certified Academic Language Practitioner
17 years teaching PK-6th grade
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MRS. CRAMER
MOTUS FACIT COGNITA
Movement Facilitates Learning
Math & Movement Teacher
BA: Theater Arts
MA: Counseling
Colorado READ Act
Certified Teacher in
Education through Movement
Trained Consultant: Math in Movement
24 years teaching experience K-12
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Ms. Martin & Chief
Illic 'aliquid in mundo necessitates unique in te
There's something unique within you the world needs
Behavior & Character Coach
Family Development Credential, Registered Behavior Trainer (RBT) Certification, Certified Cognitive Behavioral Life Coach, Emotional Intelligence Life Coach Certification, Certified National Alliance on Mental Illness Instructor for NAMI (National Association of Mental Illness)
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Administrative
Team & Support Staff
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MRS. ROTH
Risus contagiosus
Laughter is contagious
Front Office & Attendance Secretary
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Mrs. Achord
Si melius nosti, melius fac
When you know better, do better.
NURSE
Registered Nurse with 18 years of experience
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MR. HUNTER
Credo to Fortes
Believe you are brave
Monitor School of Grammar/Logic/Rhetoric
16 years experience with youth
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MR. TOM
Maintenance & Custodian
5 years School Custodian
15 years Construction
Electrical apprentice
5 years security & surveillance
