KUNSMILLER CREATIVE ARTS ACADEMY
Elementary School Program
Imagining and Achieving since 2009
MEET THE KCAA ELEMENTARY ACADEMICS TEAM
Kindergarten
Nicole Lovseth - nicole_lovseth@dpsk12.org
I am thrilled to be a part of the Kindergarten team and Kunsmiller family. I received my BA in Human Development from Metropolitan State College of Denver, have an early childhood education license, and I will be working towards my masters in Gifted Education and Literacy. In 2009, I traveled to London and taught a hands on, project based summer enrichment program. My Grandfather is an amazing artist and wood worker, his enthusiasm and passion inspired my love of the arts. I love pastel drawing, painting, reading and currently I am teaching myself how to play the guitar. I have lived in Denver for the past 10 years and I am originally from Breckenridge, Co and absolutely adore the snow. www.kcaakinder.shutterfly.com
Jennie Clarke - jennie_clarke@dpsk12.org
Jennie Clarke is a graduate of the Denver Teacher Residency Program where she earned a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. This will be her third year teaching kindergarten, at Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy. KCAA is her dream job, because of our mission of “Imagine and Achieve”, the community we serve, and the dedicated staff! She taught kindergarten during her residency year at Montclair School of Academics and Enrichment and fell in love with age. She is endorsed in Linguistically Diverse Education as well as in Special Education. Jennie earned a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Michigan State University, and has a long background in outdoor education and post-secondary and career readiness education. She is passionate about the power of experiential learning and leadership development for her students. Jennie loves to teach through song and dance, and passionately believes in building a classroom environment based on a sense of joy and wonder! Originally from Michigan, Jennie has lived in Colorado for 17 years and considers it her home. She lives with her husband Ethan, their two daughters, Cassidy age 4 and Bryn who is 18 months, and their sweet coon hound Winnie!
Carolyn Lohr - carolyn_lohr@dpsk12.org
Carolyn is absolutely delighted to have found a home at KCAA. She feels that teaching first grade in such a dynamic, creative environment is the perfect coming together of her two great passions: education and the arts. Carolyn recently graduated from the University of Denver through the Denver Teacher Residency Program with a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. She is endorsed in linguistically diverse education and special education. She also holds bachelor’s degrees in theatre and vocal performance. During Carolyn’s residency year, she had the opportunity to teach in a kindergarten classroom as well as a first grade classroom. First grade stole her heart, but working with kinders allowed her to appreciate where her first graders would be coming from and the tremendous growth that is made from age 5 to 7. Carolyn believes that student engagement, parental involvement, and a positive classroom environment are the keys to student success. When Carolyn isn’t singing and dancing with her first graders, she can be found doing the same on a local Denver stage – she regularly performs in musical productions across town. http://carolynkcaa.wikispaces.com/
Nicole Ortiz - nicole_ortiz@dpsk12.org
TBA
Benita Cervantes - benita_cervantes@dpsk12.org
Creating a nurturing, exciting, creative learning environment has been a passion of Benita’s throughout her teaching career. Giving children the platform to explore their world and to be excited about what they learn leads them to a life of learning, and this is her goal for every child that enters her room. She began teaching in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois working as a special education para while earning her Master’s in Education from National-Louis University. From there, she began her work with 2nd graders and, for the last fourteen years, has loved every minute of it. Benita currently lives in Denver with her husband, J.R. and her daughter, Charlotte (who also attends KCAA). She loves visiting the mountains for skiing and hiking but her favorite pastime is curling up with a good book and a great cup of coffee. Link to Ms. Cervante's Websiste.
First Grade
Jennifer Wayne - JENNIFER_WAYNE@dpsk12.org
Kirsten Murphy - KIRSTEN_MURPHY@dpsk12.org
This is Ms. Murphy's 15th year of teaching. She has taught from toddler age all the way through middle school in three different states and in both public and private schools. Ms. Murphy was a teacher at KCAA during its first three years and is excited to be returning to teach second grade this year. Ms. Murphy is a CU Boulder graduate and holds her Master's Degree in Literacy Education. In her free time Ms. Murphy loves to spend time in the mountains hiking, camping, skiing or biking. She also loves long walks with her golden retriever Morrison. When not outside, Ms. Murphy loves to curl up with a good book, write poetry, and listen to good music.
Second Grade
Hillary Pohlmann - Hillary_Pohlman@dpsk12.org
Aubrey Rule - AUBREY_RULE@dpsk12.org
Third Grade
Kimberly Rebholtz - kimberly_rebholtz@dpsk12.org
I am so excited to be joining KCAA and the fourth grade team. I am originally from the San Francisco Bay Area. To this day, I still call it home- beaches, redwood trees and Mt. Tamalpais hold a special place in my heart. I received my Bachelors of Arts in Biology and Environmental Studies from Sonoma State University. You might wonder how a scientist ended up in the classroom? Well, I owe my thanks for that twist of fate to a special boy and girl. During my college years, I worked as their nanny. Through our relationship, I discovered my path. My family and I relocated to Colorado almost a decade ago to be closer to family. It has been an adventure. We are still getting used to the snow. My whole life I have been an artist. During elementary school, I was that kid in the classroom who colored in the letters on their papers, doodled on their desk, or created "beautiful" book report covers but lacked interest in the report itself. I look forward to finally having the opportunity to merge my love of art with what I have learned as a student and a teacher.
Lea Barone - Lea_Barone@dpsk12.org
Ms. Lea is so excited for another great year at KCAA. Having been here since the beginning, she will see her very first class of first graders walking the middle school halls this year! Ms. Lea graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and earned her teaching license through Stanley British Primary School’s Teacher Preparation Program and the University of Colorado at Denver. She has been teaching for over ten years and loves that KCAA is a place the supports both it’s students and teachers in being artistic, creative and collaborative learners! Ms. Lea is beginning her third year as K-2’s Reading Intervention teacher. This position is a perfect blend of her two favorite things: teaching and reading! Ms. Lea just earned a certificate in Early Literacy and would be happy to discuss any reading questions or concerns you may have, even if your student doesn’t work with her directly. However, she won’t be back in our halls until November, as she is busy reading many stories to her new baby boy, Eli.
Fourth Grade
Kyle Burch -
Diane Major - DIANE_MAJOR@dpsk12.org
https://sites.google.com/a/dpsk12.net/dmajorkcaa/home
Ms. Major graduated from Denver East High School and is a proud Angel alumni. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in athletic training from Metro State College of Denver and received her Master’s of Education from Regis University in Denver. She has been teaching students in Denver Public Schools for 14 years.
Ms. Major published her first book in 2013 and was a semi-finalist in a poetry writing competition in 2013 as well.
Fifth Grade
Erica Atchison - erica_atchison@dpsk12.org
Intervention and Support
Jim Hodges -james_hodges@dpsk12.org
Frances Mora - frances_mora@dpsk12.org
This is my 5th year at KCAA and I am grateful for the wonderful experiences I have had here. I have been active in establishing our ELA PAC. This is truly about my heart; watching our parents come together and become involved in our school. The launch of our TNLI Elementary School is equally exciting as it really hits home of my passion about Bilingual Education. I began my teaching career as a Montessori Spanish teacher. It was then I returned to graduate school and earned a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction and began my career in DPS as an ELA S teacher. I taught in ECE, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Grade Classrooms. My BA was earned at the University of Colorado Denver, where I was a Spanish major. I studied a year at the Universidad Veracruzana in Xalapa,Vera Cruz, Mexico and traveled throughout Mexico and Guatamala exploring the history and country I so love. My second venture in graduate school garnered my Endorsement for Linguistically Diverse Languages.
When not at school, my passion is reading and my grandchildren. My husband Leonard and I have been together for 36 years and have two grown sons, Dominic and James- Rocco of whom we are very proud. I look forward to a new year at KCAA, working with new colleagues, and our dedicated staff, as well as the parents and children here at KCAA excited to learn and grow.
Sara Rove - sara_rove@dpsk12.org