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Staff Directory

Administration

Hastings, Kathryn

Principal

BS, MA

I am originally from Broomfield Hills Michigan and received my Bachelor of Science degree from Florida Southern College and my Master’s degree from the University of Denver in Boulder. Having taught kindergarten through sixth grade and some adult classes, I decided to go into administration. I was the principal of...

Thompson, Rebecca

Assistant Principal

BA, MA

I am honored to serve as the Assistant Principal at Prairie Hills. My passion for education has been shaped over the past 14 years as a classroom teacher, a private tutor, and a parent to my own children. My career includes teaching first, second, third, and fifth grade in California and Colorado encompassing a wide...

Office

Guttropf, Tammy

Office Manager

I have been at Prairie Hills since it opened. I truly feel blessed to be able to work with the students, staff and community at Prairie Hills. I am a Colorado native, my husband John and I have 3 sons. I enjoy traveling and spending time with my family.

Velasquez, Betty

Secretary

I am a native of Colorado and have lived in Northglenn since 1975. Before coming to Prairie Hills, I worked at Hillcrest and Hunters Glen Elementary. I enjoy working with our outstanding principal and staff. Our parents and community at Prairie Hills are the best! My husband Mike and I have a daughter who teaches...

Kindergarten

Jeppesen, Julie

Kindergarten Teacher

BA, MEd

Hi! I'm Julie Jeppesen and I teach full day kindergarten. I love Kindergarteners! I've been teaching here at PHE since it first opened in 2003. I feel so blessed to work in such a wonderful school with such an amazing community! I have been teaching for 25 years. I went to UNC in Greeley for my BA in Elementary...

Wagner, Kari

Kindergarten Teacher

BS, MA

My name is Kari Wagner and I teach full day kindergarten. I feel truly lucky to have my job because I love helping children to grow academically and socially. I’ve been teaching for 21 years and I received my bachelors from the University of Wyoming and my Master’s Degree from Lesley College in 1997. When I’m not...

Weins, Sherri

AM Kindergarten Teacher

MA

My name is Sherri Weins. I have been teaching at Prairie Hills Elementary since 2006. In addition to teaching kindergarten, I have taught 1st and 2nd grade. I have a master’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado in Teaching and I am so excited to be your child’s teacher this year! Additionally, my...

1st Grade

Clouse, Deirdre

1st Grade Teacher

BA, MA

Hello, my name is Deirdre Clouse. I am so excited to be your child’s first grade teacher this year. I've had the pleasure of teaching at Prairie Hills since 2013; however, I have taught in the Adams 12 Five Star School District since 2007. I received my undergraduate degree from Metropolitan State College. Then, I...

Potter, Angelica

1st Grade Teacher

BA, MA

I began working at Prairie Hills when it first opened in 2003. I am very fortunate to be able to do what I am most passionate about, which is working and learning with children! I began my teaching career in Texas. I have been teaching in Colorado schools since 1994. I have taught kindergarten and first grade and have...

Stark, Susan

1st Grade Teacher

BA

Welcome to first grade. I am thrilled to be your child’s teacher. I began working at Prairie Hills in 2004, when I had a first grade class. Through the years, I have moved classrooms and have taught either first or second grade. If you were to ask me which grade is my favorite, I would say whichever grade I am...

2nd Grade

Nienaber, Cindy

2nd Grade Teacher

In my 24 years of teaching, I have experienced a lot. My teaching career started out as a preschool teacher in Aurora. I taught in Aurora for 10 years, then in Adams 12 for the last 14 years. Throughout the years, I have taught both first and second grade. Here at Prairie Hills, I have taught second grade for the last...

Rosner, Catherine

2nd Grade Teacher

BS

I received my degree in elementary education from Kansas State University in 1997. I taught 6th grade in Salina, KS before moving to Colorado in 1999. I chose to stay home with my 3 lovely daughters until the spring of 2013, when I became a substitute teacher for Adams 12. I am excited to join the second grade...

Saenz, Tonya

2nd Grade Teacher

BA, MA

My name is Tonya Saenz and I have been in Adams 12 for 16 years, teaching kindergarten, first grade, second grade, and sixth- grade Physical Education. All of those experiences were wonderful, but my passion is teaching second grade. I have been at Prairie Hills since we opened in 2003, and plan to spend many more...

3rd Grade

Cutshaw, Nate

3rd Grade Teacher

BA, MA

I have been teaching for 11 years. All eleven years have been here at Prairie Hills. I taught third grade for four years and the last seven have been as a fourth grade teacher. I have loved every year here at Prairie Hills and look forward to many more wonderful years.

Mitchell, Mark

3rd Grade Teacher

MEd

I am very excited to be teaching 3rd grade at Prairie Hills Elementary this year! This is my 6th year teaching here in Adams 12, with my last 5 years being at Rocky Mountain Elementary. Before moving to Colorado, I taught a 1st through 3rd grade multi-age class in Flagstaff, Arizona and I also taught 3rd grade in...

Nunnally, Betsy

3rd Grade Teacher

I have been a teacher at PHE since it opened in 2003. It is a great place to work and learn! I have taught 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade and have enjoyed each age. My passions are reading and writing. I love sharing books with my class. Watching my class turn into life long readers and writers is an amazing thing. I...

4th Grade

Allan, Dee Dee

4th Grade Teacher

Hello! My name is Dee Dee Allan and I teach fourth grade. I feel so blessed to have this job because teaching is my passion! I grew up in Minnesota and received my bachelors from The College of St. Benedict/St. John's University. I moved to Colorado in 2005 for a 4th grade teaching job. I've taught 4th grade,...

Finley, William

4th Grade Teacher

BS

I have been teaching 4th and 5th grade in Adams 12 since 2005. Prior to joining the school district, I worked in the banking and telecommunications fields. About the time my three sons were in elementary school, I was laid off from Sprint Communications. My wife and I decided I should take a few years off and be a...

Klancke, Carridy

4th Grade Teacher

MA

This is my 22nd year teaching and I have loved every one of them! I have taught every grade Kindergarten - 8th. I enjoy teaching all levels as they all offer unique challenges and rewards. I received my teaching credentials along with a B.A. in Psychology from UNC. I then went on to earn a Masters from Lesley...

5th Grade

Tong, Marci

5th Grade Teacher

MA

Since getting my bachelor’s degree at the University of Nebraska, I have taught in four states and have been lucky enough to teach almost every elementary grade level. I have now settled in fifth grade here at Prairie Hills where I have been teaching since the school opened its doors. I really love fifth graders!...

Vahling, Tia

5th Grade Teacher

BS, MA

Hello, I am Tia Vahling. I am so excited to be teaching Fifth Grade this school year! I received my Masters Degree in Elementary Education and began my teaching career at Prairie Hills Elementary in 2009. Most of my time spent teaching has been at Prairie Hills in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade. It is my passion to...

Young, Ryan

5th Grade Teacher

I started teaching in 2008 after getting my Bachelor’s degree in elementary ed. from Metro State in Denver. I have also earned my Master’s degree in literacy instruction from Lesley University. Since I have been here at Prairie Hills I have taught fifth grade with one year of fourth. My sarcasm works a little better...

Specials

Pipinich, David

Art Teacher

BA, BFA

I am so excited to be joining the Prairie Hills Team! I attended Colorado State University, where I graduated with degrees in art education and textile art. I have been creating tapestries and woven garments for five years and can’t wait to pass my love of art onward. In my free time I love to be outside in the...

Manning, Ashlynn

Music Teacher

BA

I am thrilled to be teaching music at Prairie Hills! I have been teaching children's yoga and performing arts classes for many years in the New York area, and music has always been my heart. I studied Music History at Oberlin College and vocal performance at Oberlin Conservatory. I attended Walnut Hill School for...

Sousa, Rob

P.E. Teacher

BS, MA

Hello! My name is Rob Sousa. I am originally from Colorado Springs. I have been teaching PE at the high school, middle school, and elementary level for 16 years. I have been at Prairie Hills since the doors opened 11 years ago. I attended Colorado State University where I earned a B.S. degree in Exercise Sport Science...

Support Services

Delaroy, Caylin

PT

OTR/L

I am so excited to be a part of Prairie Hills this year and to work with such great people and kids! This will be the start of my 2nd year as a Meadowlark! I attended Colorado State University- Fort Collins (Go Rams!) and received my bachelor's degrees in Human Development and Family Studies with an emphasis on...

Hill, Christy

PT

BS, BA

I have been a physical therapist in Adams 12 since January of 1985. I have seen students at Prairie Hills for the last 4 years. I am also assigned to Tarver, Woodglen, Huntersglen, Malley, Centennial, Arapahoe Ridge and Century Middle School.

Cahill, Cathy

Instructional Coach

MA

I am excited to join the Prairie Hills community as an instructional coach.

ELL

Headrick, Donna

ELD Teacher

BA, MA

I feel honored to be a staff member at Prairie Hills Elementary. The 2018-2019 school year will be my 31th year of teaching in Adams County School District 12. I have taught as an ESL teacher and a classroom teacher in both primary and intermediate grades. I obtained my Master’s Degree in Social, Multicultural,...

Special Ed

Mortensen, Gayla

Speech & Language Specialist

MA

I have been a Speech Language Pathologist for 14 years and have worked in Adams 12 school district for 12 of those years. I started out in this district at another school for my first year and then moved to Prairie Hills Elementary School to help open it in 2003. I am also the liaison for our school with the district...

Mitchell, Melissa

Learning Specialist

BA

The 2014-2015 school year will be my 15th year as an elementary teacher. I have taught all my years in Adams 12 and 11 of them at Prairie Hills. I was previously a 2nd grade teacher, and also have taught in kindergarten and 3rd grade. I love teaching and helping students learn and grow. It is important to me to...

Sennett, Sally

Learning Specialist

BS

Hello! My name is Sally Sennett, I am a Learning Specialist at Prairie Hills Elementary. I am originally from the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York and received my Bachelor of Science degree, in Elementary and Special Education, from New York State University at Geneseo. I truly enjoy working with students of...

Health

Salli, Stefanie

Health Aide

I have been with Prairie Hills Elementary since 2008. This is such a fun place to be, we have an awesome staff and students who are truly amazing! I grew up attending Adams 12 schools. When not at work I enjoy spending time with my husband and two daughters.

Library

Cervera, Christine

Teacher Librarian

BA, MA

A passion for life-long learning and working with children led me into the education field. I began my Adams 12 career in education as a first and second grade teacher, then later became a Student Achievement Coach, and now serve as a Teacher Librarian. I currently split my time between two elementary schools, Prairie...

Hassel, Lisa

Media Clerk

I am the Media Clerk at Prairie Hills Elementary. I helped open this wonderful school. I love to help your student find the perfect book. I love reading, traveling, scrapbooking and spending time with my family.

BASE

Vasquez, Antoinnette

BASE Director

I began working with Adams 12 Five Star Schools in 1991. I started at McElwain Elementary as a Site Aide, Site Leader, and Director until 2003, when I came to Prairie Hills to open the B.A.S.E program. I have completed my Child Care license at Front Range Community College. I have also completed Cherry Creek Bully...

Nutrition

Carew, Susan

Kitchen Manager

Prairie Hills Kitchen Manager

Custodial

Kahler, Keith

Head Custodian

My name is Keith Kahler and have worked for Adams 12 since 1996. I started as a custodian at Horizon High School and from there I went on to work at Huron Middle school as a lead custodian. I then got the Head custodian position at the old administration building. I love working with all the kids and staff at all...

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