FACULTY & STAFF
TOMI AMOS, Assistant Director of Programs and Sixth grade Math Procedures Teacher, is originally from Columbia, Missouri. Ms. Amos graduated from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas with majors in Political Science and International Studies. She was a Teach for America Corps member in 2007 in New York City, where she taught 7th grade math, reading, writing, and social studies. Ms. Amos loves cooking, traveling, and exploring Colorado. She moved to Denver in 2009 and is extremely excited to be a part of the West Denver Prep team! tamos@westdenverprep.org, 303-551-7200 x 204.
ELLISON ANDERT, Sixth Grade Science Teacher, is originally from Minnesota. After graduating from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, she joined Teach For America and served as an Art, Spanish, and Science teacher for grades 6 through 12 in the Recovery School District alternative school. Since then, she and her husband have cycled the length and width of Great Britain, explored the trails of Western Europe and Turkey, and trekked the High Himalaya of India and Nepal. This year, she is excited to share her love of the natural world and adventure through Science with the extraordinary students of West Denver Prep. eandert@westdenverprep.org, 303-551-7207 x209.
KATE ANDERSON, Seventh Grade Pre-Algebra Teacher, is originally from the small town of Berlin, Massachusetts. Ms. Anderson graduated summa cum laude from Williams College with a degree in biology and Asian studies. Ms. Anderson's passion for teaching developed as she volunteered in local schools, both in Western Massachusetts and southwest China, and she is excited to share her love of learning and insatiable curiosity with her students at West Denver Prep. Ms. Anderson was a four year member of the varsity volleyball team at Williams College, and she loves playing volleyball in her spare time as well as hiking and anything else that involves being outside. kanderson@westdenverprep.org, 303-551-7200 x218.
ABBY BARKEIM, Sixth Grade Reading Teacher, is very excited to be working with West Denver Prep Students again this year. Ms. Barkeim LOVES reading. She also enjoys hiking, running, and traveling. Prior to teaching at WDP, Ms. Barkeim taught in a middle school in South Dakota and Arizona. Ms. Barkeim graduated from Arizona State University with a B.A. in elementary education. Ms. Barkeim continues to grow as a teacher and find new and exciting ways to get her students enthused about their reading. abarkeim@westdenverprep.org, 303-551-7200 x 212.
MICHAEL BRINN, Sixth and Seventh Grade Reading Teacher, was born in New Jersey and raised in beautiful Greenville, South Carolina. In addition to his love of reading and teaching, Mr. Brinn loves poetry, music, art, and his puppy, Lola. Mr. Brinn has a B.A. in Art History and Literature from Rutgers University. While in college, Mr. Brinn worked in museums giving tours and helping with marketing. He spent summers back in SC coaching a swim team, an experience that led him to want to teach kids. In addition to his lifelong passion for reading, he enjoys cooking, baseball, watching movies, and hiking. mbrinn@westdenverprep.org, 303-551-7200 x 221.
KELSIE FRANK, Seventh Grade Math Advanced Problem Solving Teacher, is originally from Linwood, New Jersey. Ms. Frank graduated from George Washington University with degrees in history and economics. After graduation, she moved to New Mexico where she was a Teach For America corps member and taught for three years on the Navajo Nation. While in New Mexico, she received a Masters in Teaching degree from Western New Mexico University. Ms. Frank is excited to join the West Denver Prep - Lake team. When she's not thinking about math, Ms. Frank enjoys reading, yoga, and exploring Denver and the beautiful state of Colorado. kfrank@westdenverprep.org, 303-551-7200 x 219.
KELSEY LONGMUIR, Seventh Grade Reading Teacher, is a 2011 Teach For America corps member originally from the great state of Washington. She earned a B.A. in Urban and Environmental Policy from Occidental College in Los Angeles and is thrilled to return to a place that has all four seasons. She is passionate about ending economic inequality and aspires to run a rigorous and joy-filled classroom that will allow all students the chance to learn as much as possible. In her spare time Longmuir can be found running, eating and watching 'Jeopardy.' klongmuir@westdenverprep.org, 303-551-7200 x 219.
RAQUEL GARCIA, Office Manager
raquelgarcia@westdenverprep.org, 303-551-7200 x 201.
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JULIA (LEIGH) GARRISON, Seventh Grade Earth Science Teacher, is originally from Walled Lake, Michigan. She was a Teach For America Corps Member of the Denver Corps 2008, and wants to continue to help all students, including those in low income communities, reach their true potential. Ms. Garrison has a B.A. in Astronomy from the University of Colorado Boulder and a Masters Degree in Urban Leadership. She therefore especially enjoys teaching students about space all the fascinating stuff in our universe! She is also really proud of her Igneous rock that she took from the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro. In her free time she thoroughly enjoys going on hikes with her Catahoula dog and re-reading books for the millionth time. jgarrison@westdenverprep.org, 303-551-7200 x 223.
KEN GREENBAUM, Assistant Principal and Principal-in-Training, is an alumnus of Teach For America through which he taught 8th grade math for two years in Phoenix, Arizona. He also taught 7th grade Pre-Algebra at the Federal Campus for a year. Having earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Bucknell University, Mr. Greenbaum enjoys bringing science, engineering, music and current events into the school day as much as possible. Mr. Greenbaum has also worked for many summers in outdoor education with students of all ages, sharing his passion for the outdoors. kgreenbaum@westdenverprep.org, 303-551-7200 x 227.
BRIAN HALL, Sixth Grade Math Procedures Teacher, is a founding teacher at West Denver Prep’s Lake Campus. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Colorado at Boulder to receive a bachelor’s degree in history. His experiences include teaching in China as well as Mexico. His interests and hobbies include skiing, soccer, and spending time with his family and friends. bhall@westdenverprep.org, 303-551-7200 x 210.
DIANE KENEALY, Sixth Grade Writing Teacher, graduated from Kenyon College in 2008 with a BA in English and Spanish Literature. Throughout college, Ms. Kenealy taught with the Denver Summerbridge (now Breakthrough) program. She has taught in the West Denver Prep network for three years as a reading teacher. She is excited about new opportunities to discuss grammar and composition as she travels to the wonderful world of writing at the Lake campus! dkenealy@westdenverprep.org, 303-551-7200 x 214.
RYAN KOCKLER, Principal, has been with West Denver Prep for two years. His career in education started as a special education teacher in Brownsville Texas after accepting a two year placement with Teach For America. While he was teaching, he spent his free time working on his Masters in Educational Leadership. As an instructional coach, in the 2008-2009 school year, he help IDEA Public Schools launch their seventh campus which was named an exemplary school by the state in its first year. He was a principal in training at West Denver Prep's Federal Campus, and has been thrilled to launch a new West Denver Prep campus in North Denver. rkockler@westdenverprep.org, 303-551-7200 x 203.
BURGESS LEPAGE, Seventh Grade Writing Teacher, joined West Denver Prep from the great state of Maine ("The way life should be"). Graduating from Bowdoin College with majors in English and French, she uprooted from the rocky Maine coast to the Rockies of the mountain west in order to share her love for the art of written expression. A former counselor from Seeds of Peace International Camp, Ms. LePage strives to apply the organization's goal of creating an educational environment that fosters curiosity, teamwork, and self-discovery in her classroom. In her fourth year at West Denver Prep, she looks forward to three-hundred days of sun, four-square, and the spirit and energy of field day. Go Sharks! blepage@westdenverprep.org, 303-551-7200 x 222.
KELSEY LONGMUIR, Seventh Grade Reading Teacher, is a 2011 Teach For America corps member originally from the great state of Washington. She earned a B.A. in Urban and Environmental Policy from Occidental College in Los Angeles and is thrilled to return to a place that has all four seasons. She is passionate about ending economic inequality and aspires to run a rigorous and joy-filled classroom that will allow all students the chance to learn as much as possible. In her spare time Longmuir can be found running, eating and watching 'Jeopardy.' klongmuir@westdenverprep.org, 303-551-7200 x 219.
DANIELLE MATTHEWS, Sixth Grade Math Problem Solving Teacher, is from Riva, Maryland. She is a current Teach for America corps member who is truly motivated by the organization’s mission to end educational inequality across the United States. Ms. Matthews is a recent graduate of the University of Virginia where she received a B.S. in Biology. She spent her time there doing research and co-founding the Biology Society at UVa. Aside from her enthusiasm for science she also spent time tutoring UVA student-athletes in a variety of courses and her free time was spent snowboarding with the University’s racing team. dmatthews@westdenverprep.org, 303-551-7200 x 211.
RACHEL MAY, Seventh Grade World Studies Teacher, is from the magnificent state of Louisiana. Ten days after graduating from Louisiana Tech University (Go Dawgs!!) with a B.A. in Social Studies Education, Ms. May packed up and moved to Colorado. During college she served as a counselor at Kids Across America, a summer camp for inner city youth, where she realized how much she wanted to become an educator. This will be her fourth year teaching and she is so excited to help her students close the achievement gap here in Denver and at West Denver Prep! rmay@westdenverprep.org, 303-551-7200 x 224.
SUSAN MORRIS, Director of Student Life,
smorris@westdenverprep.org, 303-551-7200 x 226.
DOUGLAS PARK, Sixth and Seventh Grade Special Education Teacher, is from Fort Lee, New Jersey. He is a current Teach for America corps member who is extremely passionate about the school's mission in providing a quality educational experience for all students. Mr. Park is a recent graduate of Rutgers University where he received a B.A. in Political Science and Ed.M. in Social Studies Education. While in school, Mr. Park worked with Residence Life and other programs to support students and communities throughout his college experience. Aside from his enthusiasm for education and providing for others he also enjoys soccer, hiking, and cycling. dpark@westdenverprep.org, 303-551-7200 x 225.
JOSHUA PORTILLO, Seventh Grade Pre-Algebra Teacher.
jportillo@westdenverprep.org, 303-551-7200 x 208.
ALLISON RHODE, Sixth Grade Special Education Teacher, is a Denver Teaching Fellows alumni from Austin, Texas. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University, where she spent her time tutoring and serving pregnant teens in low-income areas, and studying Italian during a semester abroad. Prior to West Denver Prep, she worked at Montbello High School in northeast Denver. On her days off, you can find Ms. Rhode reading, skiing, sewing, and exploring colorful Colorado. arhode@westdenverprep.org, 303-551-7200 x 215.
SARA SANTOS, Sixth Grade Reading Teacher.
ssantos@westdenverprep.org, 303-551-7200 x 213.
JENNIFER TROY, Principal-in-Training, is a Colorado native and is extremely excited to join the West Denver Prep team this year. Prior to moving home, Ms. Troy spent the last five years teaching Middle School Social Studies in the Bronx, NY. While in New York, she became committed to closing the achievement gap, and working to ensure that all children receive a high-quality, standards-based education. While in New York, she developed her passion for culture, traveling, food, history, and beaches. Ms. Troy has a B.A. in International Affairs from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and a M.S. in Urban Education from Mercy College in New York. jtroy@westdenverprep.org, 303-551-7200 x 202.
