Bixby School Staff 2006-07 (as of 8/31/06)
Sierra (Jacober) Aldrich (Literacy Block and History: 4th-5th Grades; Group Time: 4th Grade) returns with a new last name! She was married this past summer to Travis Aldrich, also a teacher. They honeymooned in Costa Rica. Sierra returned refreshed and filled with ideas for Mini Society, literature and outdoor education. She looks forwarding to teaming with Margaret once again.
Heidi Anderson (Music: K-5th Grades) is new to Bixby this year. Until recently, she was a music teacher at the MacKintosh Academy in south Denver. Heidi is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, where she received a Bachelor in Music Arts in Classical Vocal Performance. She has been singing around the world professionally since the age of 19. After a few years of touring, teaching, and directing, Heidi relocated to Colorado. She is absolutely committed to imparting her love for music and life to all of her students. Heidi is a proud mother of two precious boys, Zachary and Joshua.
Emily Armiak (Preschool Teacher) continues to follow her passions: working with young children and horses.
Lauren Augusta (Kindergarten Lead Teacher) continues her Bixby teaching career for a second year. Over the summer, she taught a popular series of environmental education classes here at Bixby. She will be mentoring our two Kindergarten interns as well as working with the kindergarteners. Finally, her Yoga for Kids program will be resuming after school.
Pat Baker (Co-Founder & Executive Director; Geography: Kg. & 5th Grade; Math: Kindergarten; Group Time: 5th Grade) is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the school and all of its programs. However, even after 35+ years, Pat remains a teacher at heart; one who knows that to understand what's happening in a school you have to spend time with the students. When she's not in a classroom, you can usually find Pat at her famous table.
Addie Barkley (Reading, Geography, and Handwriting: 1st Grade; Group Time: 1st Grade) continues her career at Bixby as one of our most experienced teachers with a great perspective on what has (and has not) changed in the lives of first graders over the past 25+ years.
Bart Bartram (Co-Founder) continues to work with our math teachers on curriculum.
Lacy Bearden (After-school staff) returns to work with kindergarteners after 3:00 p.m.
Cindy Benson (Office Manager) continues to be "staff mom" in addition to her official title.
Meredith Bladen (Preschool Floater) joins Bixby after working in Boulder preschools for many years. In addition, to her work at Bixby, Meredith will be earning her Master's in Education at Regis University this year.
Kitty Cary (Math: 4th-5th Grades) is pleased to be starting her third year teaching math.
SurRae Coleman (Swim Instructor), who joined Bixby over the summer, will be working primarily with preschoolers. However, she will have one section of 4th/5th graders. SurRae is a rarity - a Boulder native. She has been a swim instructor for many years. In addition to working at Bixby, SurRae is a swim instructor at the Boulder Country Club.
Lynne Costain (After-school staff) is a Bixby graduate who is attending college and continuing to work part-time at Bixby.
Ari Hernandez (Cook's Assistant) continues as Sherry's invaluable aide. We have discovered Ari is the biggest Scooby Doo fan in the school!
Elizabeth Hubert (Academic Director; Bixby Bulletin; Bookstore; Scholastic Book Orders) begins her second year working with the teaching staff on curriculum, instruction, and assessment, as well as some other duties. The most delightful part of Elizabeth's day is her time reading aloud to the kindergarteners.
Mark Kalen (Science: Kg. - 1st Grades; Math: 1st-2nd Grades; Group Time: 3rd Grade) celebrates 20 + years on the Bixby staff. You may see him riding around town on his scooter.
Esther Kary (Geography: 2nd-3rd Grades) joins Bixby after working in education in Canada (her native country), Venezuela, and the U. S. She is a graduate of Briercrest College with a degree in Intercultural Studies and Teaching English as a Second Language. Esther and her husband (he's a teacher, too) raise goats and are members of the Haystack Mountain cooperative.
Jennifer Kauffman (Kindergarten Intern) is working towards her teaching certification and her Master's degree this year. She recently moved to Boulder from Carbondale where she held a variety of teaching and outdoor education positions. Jenn will be in the classroom Monday through Thursday.
Hollie Laudal (Math: 3rd Grade; Creative Projects: 1st - 3rd Grades) will be capitalizing on her background in physics/math (her B.A. is from Syracuse University) and music/improvisation this year. She is excited about sharing her love of mathematics with her students. Hollie completed her Master's degree at Naropa University this past summer.
Robert MacKenzie (Art: 1st - 5th Grades; Facilities) continues to provide an inspirational space for creativity. This past year, our students were invited to create art for a book project called The Lost Seal. Many wonderful pieces were created and displayed. The editors chose three student's pieces for the book.
In addition to teaching art, Robert maintains our unique facilities. Check out the new preschool play structure when you get a chance.
Kim McCloskey (Bookkeeper) is here on Tuesday and Friday afternoons.
Sherry Nelson (Cook) continues to create delicious, nutritious lunches and snacks for students, staff, and visiting parents. Her menu is one of the most talked about aspects of life at Bixby.
Cara Poirier (Marketing Coordinator) helps to get Bixby's name into the community as well as makes our forms, handbooks, and other materials look polished. This past summer, Cara worked on the Parent Handbook.
Bryan Powell (After School Program: Lead Teacher; Sports Groups; Kindergarten: Friday Teacher) moved to Boulder from St. Louis after graduating with a degree in photography. In addition, he has a background in physical education and as an athlete. Bryan has been working at Bixby School since last January. This year, Bryan will be adding Sports Groups to his Bixby repertoire.
Andrea Putman (Preschool Teacher) is thrilled to be continuing at Bixby as it is such a good fit with her teaching style.
Tali Ratzon (Kindergarten Intern) moved to Boulder after graduating from SUNY Binghamton with a degree in fine arts. She taught at the Cottage School for two years and worked this summer in the Bixby Preschool. She is working towards her teaching certification and her Master's degree this year. Tali will be in the classroom Monday through Thursday.
Claire Seger (Assistant Director; Writing: 1st- 2nd Grades; Kindergarten: Literacy) continues her work with our youngest writers in her own room, Writing Room C (for Claire, natch), this year. She is also anticipating becoming a grandmother a few months hence.
Adrienne Seidle (Science: 2nd - 5th Grades) joins Bixby after recently completing her Master's of Science degree in Environmental Education at Lesley University. She is pleased to be back in Colorado, (she's a native and CSU graduate), sharing her love of science with our students.
Jeff Silverman (Preschool Teacher) joined our staff very recently.
Connie Solowiej (Reading: 2nd - 3rd Grades; Group Time: 2nd Grade; Young Librarians) continues to develop a strong research-based reading program. In addition, it is through Connie's efforts that authors come spend a day with us which lets our students in on the "creative life behind the books." Last, the Young Librarians exceeded their goal of making 1000 paper cranes! The cranes are now at Sadako's Memorial in Japan. Connie has more adventures planned for this year's Young Librarians.
Lauren Taylor (After-school staff; Substitute) has been a summer and after-school staffer at Bixby over the past several years. She recently completed her teaching degree.
Alison Thielke (Preschool Director and Teacher) is beginning her 11th year in the preschool. She is working on her Master's in Educational Psychology this year and is excited to share her learning with our staff.
Trish Tyner (Swim Instructor) will continue to work with our K-5 swimmers and is looking forward to developing the swim program even more this year.
Hilary Van Dusen (Preschool Teacher) joins Bixby after working with children in summer camps and earning a B.A. in Child Development from Tufts University.
Margaret Wallace (Writing: 3rd - 5th Grades; Literacy Block: 4th - 5th Grades; Gifted & Talented) continues her collaboration on Literacy Block with Sierra. She is looking forward to the second year of this interdisciplinary program. In addition, Margaret recently received a State of Colorado endorsement in Gifted Education, which requires extensive training and credit hours. She will continue to consult with parents and staff to support our gifted students.
Alison Wolfe (Preschool Teacher) joins our staff after recently moving to Boulder from Minnesota. Alison brings extensive early childhood experience to the preschool.
Bixby School is a private, nonprofit school in Boulder, Colorado with programs for preschool through 5th grade. At Bixby, the focus is on cultivating and encouraging children's critical thinking skills, thereby engendering confident, creative, lifelong learners.
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