Beyond the Classroom: 13 Charter School Teachers to Admire
In recognition of National Teacher Appreciation Week, we are celebrating thirteen exceptional educators, each of whom hit our radar as a finalist in the Colorado League of Charter Schools’ 2024 Hall of Fame. These dedicated teachers foster a love of learning in a positive environment, mentor students, collaborate with colleagues, and actively participate in their school’s community. Let us acknowledge these admirable individuals and their impact on public charter school students:
Alfredo Beltran Aguirre
Director of Innovation and CTE, Colorado Early Colleges Aurora (CECA)
Alfredo is committed to his school and community where students, because of his background, can identify easily and see a bright future. His ability to meet students where they are is “remarkable,” says Mary Bain. He has developed several CTE pathways based on both students' interests and workforce needs and also serves on the Denver Commissioners Teaching Cabinet. “His goal is to shape educational policy to impact as much positive change as possible,” says Bain.
Brooke Barton
5th grade ELA Teacher, Mountain Middle School
Brooke’s student growth scores in CMAS exceed the 90th percentile year after year. Shane Voss says her students are always engaged in her projects, including a challenge to read 40 books per school year. “She is a big reason why our elementary school has earned a top ranking in 2023 for growth and achievement. She is steadfast and one of the greatest educators I have ever seen work with kids,” says Voss.
Stephanie Barnett
Social Studies Teacher & Highly Qualified Coordinator (HQC), Vision Charter Academy
Stephanie engages her learners through hands-on activities and a focus on 21st-century skills. Last year, recognizing a number of students interested in criminology and forensic science, she developed a two-semester, forensic criminology class. Angela Valentine shares, “Stephanie's enthusiasm for learning and engaging her learners comes through in the time she spends preparing daily lessons and planning larger, culminating events for her classes."
Lori Fisher
Humanities Teacher, Animas High School (AHS)
In 2009, Lori and her husband moved from San Diego to Durango to serve as founding teachers for a new charter school. Having previously taught at the school after which Animas was modeled, they helped build the school from the ground up. Fourteen years later, Lori is the last remaining founding faculty member and “her mastery of high-quality, project-based learning curriculum development means she’s our go-to for training new teachers and leading professional development,” shares Libby Cowles. “Her systemic, big-picture thinking, fastidious organizational skills and deep commitment to innovative educational practices have been instrumental in moving AHS from a scrappy upstart school to the established educational choice we are today.”
Tara Hedberg
Humanities Teacher, Colorado Early Colleges - Parker
Tara teaches a variety of classes, including theater, workforce readiness, college humanities, and women's studies. She strives to create a place for all students to belong and be vulnerable, allowing them to learn and grow. Keshia Medellin calls her the “ultimate teammate,” who supports, trains, and coaches other teachers with a big smile and kind heart. In her classes, says Medellin, “she supports students to lean into who they are, creating a place and space for them to be truly seen and heard…Tara models what she is teaching her students and instills in them not just the academics of her subject, but those qualities and life skills that may follow them longer in life, like kindness, inclusivity, and determination.”
Kimi Hanson
4th-Grade Teacher & Team Leader, Mountain Middle School (MMS)
“I am brought to tears thinking about what a gift this amazing teacher has been to my daughter and our family as a whole,” says parent Heather Espeland. According to Espeland, after many years of frustration and disappointment, MMS and Kimi have not only provided a necessary custom learning plan and implemented it, but also says Espeland, “she has poured her heart and tenderness into my daughter and ignited a passion and confidence for reading that has stimulated her development in this area….She doesn’t just teach a class, she teaches each student individually and lifts them up.”
Florian Hild
High School Literature Teacher, Loveland Classical Schools
Florian has been a leader in the use of Socratic seminar classroom instruction in Colorado for two decades. Formerly the Principal of a K-12 classical charter school, he has taught a whole generation of students how to read deeply and engage with great works of literature directly, fostering independent thinking and meaningful discourse. He guides them through deep moral discussions related to justice, ethics, and democratic values daily. “Each and every one of his students makes tremendous growth in his classes in becoming skillful writers, serious readers, and eloquent communicators,” says Ian Stout.
Kyle Kimmal
5th-Grade English Teacher, Denver Language School
An educator with 20+ years of experience, Kyle has created an engaging and enriching classroom environment for all of his 5th graders. He expands students' knowledge of books by diving into their reading interests, introducing new genres, and hosting a book club every six weeks. When addressing writing, Kyle allows his students to research and write about their personal interests, cultures, or stories. “When you walk by his classroom you will find exemplary student writing samples that range in topics from students’ experiences with COVID, trauma, and finding their identity in the LGBTQ+ community, to creative stories about aliens visiting their school or what kind of pet they would want,” says Jessica Leonard.
Emilee Klausner
4th-Grade & Agricultural Teacher, Cardinal Community Academy
A Weld County native and the child of a former 20+ year educator, education is in Emilee’s blood, shares Jerry Archuleta. She started her career as a paraprofessional and became a substitute teacher. Now, she serves fourth graders, “creating an incredible love for learning, trust, and rapport with her students,” says Archuleta. She pioneered, implemented, and now co-teaches an Agricultural (AG) Program at Cardinal’s middle school. She also serves on the school’s School Accountability Committee and as a liaison for their Gifted and Talented Program.
Shannon Rhodes Peace
8th-Grade ELA Teacher, Pinnacle Charter School
Shannon “embodies everything a school desires in a teacher,” says Andrew Bradshaw who describes her as hardworking, immensely caring, and successful at getting results year after year. She advocates for her students to be both high school and career-ready, and focuses on building strong, long-lasting relationships with them. Working with her team, she developed a program to close the opportunity gap and give all students of any demographic the means and vision to succeed. Even a recent diagnosis has not “put a wrinkle in her mission to be a guiding light for her students,” says Kimberly Stalcup.
Scott Spear
Humanities Teacher, Southwest Open School (SWOS)
Scott joined the SWOS team in 2014 as a trip mentor and substitute but quickly took on a long-term substitute position. He has since pursued and received his teaching license and a CTE lead certification, all while developing a regionally acclaimed bike technician program. He also teaches the school’s seminar and capstone classes, pillars of the school’s academic programming. “Amazingly, Scott also has the energy to facilitate the after-school biking, skiing/snowboarding, and flyfishing clubs,” says Casey Simpson. “The students, staff, and families of SWOS love Scott and he contributes an incredible amount of engaging positivity to our campus culture.”
Yacina Tamendjari
Math Teacher & Director of Middle School, STEM School Highlands Ranch
Yacina has a knack for making mathematics relevant to students' lives, using real-world examples to illustrate mathematical concepts, and regularly incorporating technology and collaboration into her lessons. A strong advocate for problem-based learning, she has developed several innovative projects to help students deepen their understanding of mathematics and is a tireless advocate for equity and inclusion in mathematics education. “She is passionate about ensuring that all students have access to a high-quality mathematics education, regardless of their background or abilities, says Maura Ridder. “When we are in need of support, extra hands, volunteers, or chaperones, Ms. Tamendjari can always be counted on to show up and deliver.”
Lacey Weber
STEAM Coordinator, Independence Academy
Lacey has a depth of knowledge, a willingness to support all staff and students, and an ability to model the ”I Wonder If/How…”; mindset. She has an uncanny way of having a lot of knowledge, but if she does not know the answer, she says “Let me work through it and I will get back to you,” shares one colleague who confides it's rare that Lacey cannot find a plausible solution. A 2024 California STEAM Symposium presenter, Lacey prepares her students to be successful beyond the classroom and encourages them to take charge of their learning.
