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Staff Directory

Administration

Taylor, Stephanie

Principal

Dear Hillcrest Community, I am honored to be your principal at Hillcrest Elementary School. I commited to working with students, teachers and families to create a rigorous joyful learning environment where every child can thrive and be prepared for the next step to a successful future. Every year at Hillcrest is...

Wheeler, Pamela

Assistant Principal

BA, MA, EdS

This is my fourth year as the assistant principal at Hillcrest. I look forward to continuing to work with students, families and staff to support student growth and achievement. This is my seventh year in administration. Prior to that I was a speech language pathologist in special education. I earned my bachelor and...

Office

Clarke, Denise

Office Manager

I began my career with Adams 12 Five Star School District originally as a school bus driver when our children were very small. As they enrolled in school I volunteered at my children's elementary school. I then continued my career as a Substitute Para, Health Aide, Elementary Secretary and now Office Manager. My...

Recendez, Laura

Registrar

BA

Hello! I am excited to work for Hillcrest and all of you! I graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso with a degree in Latin American Studies and a Minor in Bilingual Education as well as a ABA in Business Administration. During my free time I enjoy spending time with my family, walking, watching movies,...

Kindergarten

Haas, Marci

Kindergarten Teacher

MA, BA

I have been teaching for thirteen years. I taught third grade for nine years and kindergarten for four. I love teaching kindergarten and watching the kids grow as learners. I enjoy hiking and spending time with my family. I am married and have a four year old daughter. This is my second year at Hillcrest. I look...

Ostroski, Amy

Kindergarten Teacher

BA

I am originally from St. Louis, Missouri and moved to Denver in 2007. I now live in Westminster, with my husband Adam and my son Andrew (1 1⁄2 yrs). We absolutely love everything about Colorado; especially hiking in the summer and skiing all winter! In 2012, I graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with...

Palmer, Tara

Kindergarten Teacher

I am very excited and honored to be a part of Hillcrest's community. This will be my 15th year teaching kindergarten and I'm eager to learn from my new students. Kindergarten is my passion! I enjoy building foundational skills and building on students individual strengths to meet their full potential to be...

1st Grade

Freudenberger, Lori

1st Grade Teacher

BA, MA

Welcome to 1st grade! This is my 6th year working at Hillcrest Elementary. I spent the past 10 years teaching kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade in New Jersey. While I enjoyed teaching kindergarten and 2nd grade, teaching 1st grade is my favorite. I love to see the giant leaps of progress first graders make...

Pahl, Shannon

1st Grade Teacher

MA

I love being part of the community at Hillcrest! Before starting at Hillcrest, I taught first and second grade in Fort Collins. I taught Kindergarten at Hillcrest for 5 years and am very excited to be working with First graders again! I am a Colorado native and enjoy all that Colorado has to offer. I grew up in...

White, Lauren

1st Grade Teacher

BA

Hello! I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with all of you, and I welcome you all to a new school year at Hillcrest Elementary. I would like to tell you a little bit about myself. I just got married over the summer (some of you may remember me as Ms. Lazzarini) to my high school sweetheart and spent a lot...

2nd Grade

Boyd, Kelly

2nd Grade Teacher

BA, MA

This is my sixth year in second grade here at Hillcrest and I couldn't be happier! I love being able to see how much my past students have grown over the years! Before coming to Hillcrest I taught Kindergarten for 5 years. I have my bachelors in Elementary Education and my masters in Reading, both from the...

North, Samantha

2nd Grade Teacher

This is my sixth year teaching at Hillcrest Elementary and it has been a joy! I previosuly taught First Grade for 1 year and am now on my 5th year being in Second Grade. I love how enthusiastic the kids are in 2nd grade! I find that my students quickly become independent, thoughtful, and excited learners. The growth...

Reeder, Karen

2nd Grade Teacher

BA, MA

This my sixth year at Hillcrest and I am very happy to call it home! For the previous eight years I taught in Adams 50 and was able to teach Kindergarten, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade. I am so happy to be at Hillcrest teaching 2nd graders! 2nd grade is such a wonderful transition year for kids to become more independent...

3rd Grade

Guyerson, Danielle

3rd Grade Teacher

BA, MA

Hi there! My name is Danielle Guyerson. I am thrilled to be joining the Hillcrest team after working in Aurora Public Schools for six years as a second grade teacher. I have a B.A. from the University of Colorado at Boulder and recently graduated from the University of Colorado at Denver with my Masters in Reading...

Scott-Burt, Rhonda

3rd Grade Teacher

BA

I am excited to be at Hillcrest again this year! I began my college education in Charleston, SC in 1982. I transfered to a college in Saginaw, MI in 1983 where I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in 1986. In 1991, I married my husband Art while I was teaching in Jacksonville, FL. I taught first, second, fourth...

Tomsick, Molly

3rd Grade Teacher

BA, MA

Hello! My name is Molly Tomsick. This will be my sixth year teaching, and my 2nd year at Hillcrest, and I am so excited to make it the best year yet! I grew up in Thornton, and am an Adams 12 graduate myself. I spent my first four years teaching in Sterling, CO, so I am excited to be back home closer to my family...

4th Grade

Baker, Kate

4th Grade Teacher

BA, MEd

I am so excited to be teaching 4th grade for my sixth year here at Hillcrest Elementary! From a young age I have always known that I wanted to teach, but I took a slightly round-about way in getting here. Before ever entering a classroom I taught k-12 students in a variety of environments ranging from a cave to a...

Bratt, Cristina

4th Grade Teacher

Hello! My name is Cristina Bratt and I am excited to be teaching at Hillcrest this year! After completing my elementary education degree at Whitworth University I taught fifth grade for three years at a bilingual school in Washington State. In 2017 I moved to Colorado and taught fourth grade at Meridian...

Kennedy, Laura

4th Grade Teacher

MEd

Hello Hillcrest Community, I am teaching fourth grade this year. I love inspiring students to become excited about reading and writing, to find out who their favorite authors are and to view themselves as writers who have important things to write about and share with the world. I have been in education for...

Shumate, Jennifer

4th Grade Teacher

BA, MA

Welcome to Fourth Grade! My name is Jennifer Shumate and this is my ninth year teaching in the Adams 12 Five Star School District. I'm thrilled to be back for a sixth year at Hillcrest Elementary School. I consider myself fortunate to have been teaching here for six years with wonderful colleagues. It is...

5th Grade

Armstrong, Jennifer

5th Grade Teacher

BS, MEd

Hi there! I have been a member of the Hillcrest team since 2013. Before moving to Colorado I taught 3rd grade for 3 years in Tucson, AZ. I earned my BS in Elementary Education with a minor in German (which I no longer speak well haha) from Northern Arizona University. I later earned my Masters of Education in...

Cox, Sarah

5th Grade Teacher

BA

Hello! My name is Sarah Cox. I am so excited for this school year. Here is a little bit about me. I have a Bachelors from CSU in Social Work. Later on I decided to go back to become a teacher. I received my Elementary Education License through UCD. I worked as a 1st grade teacher and then a 4th grade teacher in...

Lawrence, Krissy

5th Grade Teacher

BA, MEd

I am so excited to join Hillcrest this school year! This is my 5th year teaching and my 4th year teaching 5th grade. I LOVE teaching 5th grade because the students are amazing and I love their spunk! I was born and raised in Colorado, but have also lived in Ohio and Pennsylvania. My favorite thing to do outside of...

Specials

Smoot, Lisa

Art Teacher

BA

Hello! I am Ms. Smoot! This is my second year at Hillcrest and I am excited to bring out the creativity of our students this year. I have a degree in art education with a concentration in photography. I previously taught elementary art in Colorado Springs for 2 years. In my free time I enjoy spending time...

Johnson, Andrea

Music Teacher

I am starting my 13th year of teacher elementary music. I graduated from the Univsersity of North Texas with a BA in Music Education. I taught in Texas for three years before moving back to Colorado. (I grew up in Pueblo, CO). I taught in Jeffco Public Schools for most of my career. I am excited to be in Adams...

Seifarth, Sean

P.E. Teacher

It is my honor and privilege to serve as your student's Physical Education Specialist. I received my B.A. in Psychology and American History with a minor in Education from the University of California, Santa Cruz. I went on to get my Elementary Credential and Masters in Education from Chapman University. In...

Support Services

Baker, Ellie

Social Worker

Although this is my 4th year working within Adams 12, this is my first year at Hillcrest and I could not be more thrilled! I am originally from Michigan, however, moved out to Colorado to attend the University of Denver, where I received my undergraduate degree in Psychology. From there I attended Colorado State...

Trujillo, Carlos

PEAK Program Director

AA

With gratitude and love, It is a valued honor to be part of Adams 12 and Hillcrest community. I am a native of Colorado and started my education career in Pueblo 18 years ago, gaining experience as a Behavior Coach, Community Advocate, Athletic Coordinator, Behavior Specialist, Afterschool Coordinator and...

Von Hatten, Ashley

Interventionist

BA, MA

I am thrilled to be joining the staff and community at Hillcrest as a reading interventionist. This is my 13th year of teaching and I spent the last nine years teaching kindergarten in Adams12. I love supporting students in their early literacy skills and watching them discover the joy of reading! In my free...

Hall, Jessica

SSN Teacher

MEd

I am very excited to be a part of the Hillcrest team as the SSN Special Education Teacher! Prior to coming to Hillcrest I spent three years working as a paraprofessional, in the Legacy High School SSN program, while obtaining my Masters in Special Education from Regis University. I spent three years working with...

Solis Solis, Silvia

Community Outreach Liaison

Hello Hillcrest Families, I am excited to be your Family Outreach Liaison. I look forward to working with students, families and staff to support everyone's needs. I was born in Chihuahua, Mexico but I have lived the majority of my life in the beautiful state of Colorado. I have been working at Hillcrest Elementary...

Harvey, Jennifer

Instructional Coach

BA, MEd

I have worked in the District for 34 years. I was a classroom teacher for 20 years and have spent the last fourteen years as an instructional coach. I love working at Hillcrest! I am married to a second grade teacher who also works in District 12 at another school. We have two grown daughters. Our oldest has...

Hyde, Mary

Instructional Coach

BA

I am so proud to work at Hillcrest Elementary! In my sixteen years of experience, I have had the pleasure to teach pre-school through 8th grade as a mainstream, ESL, and English Language Arts teacher. I have also taught adult ESL and classes for adults on sheltered instruction, child development, and best...

ELL

Carroll, Suzanne

ELL Teacher

MEd

Hello! Hola! I am excited to be part of the Hillcrest community as an English Language Development (ELD) teacher. I have been teaching at the elementary level for 8 years, and prior to that I was an instructor and Director of Education at a vocational school in Boulder for 15 years. It was during that time that I...

Cuevas, Becky

ELL Teacher

BA, MA

Bienvenidos! Welcome to English Language Development! My name is Becky Cuevas. I am excited to be back at Hillcrest for my 2nd year. This is my 18th year teaching. After getting a BA in Spanish with Bilingual Education at UNC in Greeley, I went on to get a MA in Linguistically Diverse Education at CU Boulder. ...

Gardner, Erica

ELL Teacher

MA

Hello! I am delighted to join the Hillcrest team this year as an ELD teacher! This is my 3rd year in the district as an ELD teacher and my 17th year as an elementary teacher. Previously, I have also been a Kindergarten, 1st grade, and 3rd grade teacher. I am so excited to meet the students and to get to know them...

Murphy, Leigh

ELL Teacher

Hello, I have been an Adams 12 employee for over 7 years and have been teaching English language learners for nearly 20 years. I love teaching the English language and enjoy watching students' confidence grow as a result of their hard work and effort. My other interests aside from teaching are traveling, cooking...

Special Ed

Romero, Lindsay

Speech & Language Pathologist

BA, MS

This is my fourth year working as a Speech Language Pathologist. I have been working in the Speech and Language field for 6 years as an assistant while going to school for a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology. For three of those years I worked in various schools throughout the Adams 12 Five Star School...

Romero, Andrea

Learning Specialist

BA, MA

Hello, I am one of the learning specialist here at Hillcrest Elementary.I have been working as an Elementary Learning Specialist since 2010 and have been with the district since 2001. I received my BA in Special Education from MSCD and my Masters in Special Education at the University of Northern Colorado. It is...

Rose, Dawn

Learning Specialist

BS, MEd

I have working in Adams 12 as a Learning Specialist for 7 years and this my 2nd year at Hillcrest Elementary. Prior to becoming a Special Education teacher I taught 3rd and 4th for 15 years. I really enjoy my position as a Learning Specialist because I get to work with many students throughout the school. ...

Delgado Guzman, Orlando

SpEd Paraeducator

Under Construction

Tjeerdsma, Tracey

SpEd Paraeducator

I'm Ms. Tracey and I started here at Hillcrest in October 2017. I am so excited to work with so many different people and children. Children are my passion in life. I, myself, have six kids, three of whom I've adopted. I am also a third degree black belt and love training with my entire family. I'm so excited to be...

Health

Carlton, Deborah

Health Aide

Hello! I am so exited to join the team here at Hillcrest Elementary! I'm originally from California and have grown to really love our life here in Colorado. I am a proud mom to two college studets, both attending CU Denver. I am formally a SSN Paraprofessional in the Adams 12 Five Star School. I am looking...

Library

Lord, Susan

Teacher Librarian

MEd, MLS

I have had a variety of jobs in education, including high school science teacher, assistant principal and teacher librarian, and I have loved every job I had. As Hillcrest's teacher librarian, I have the opportunity to teach students how to use the library and computers to find information they need, or books they...

Douglas, Marlo

Media Clerk

BA

I have worked for Adams 12 since 2007 and have been the media clerk at Hillcrest since 2010. I'm married and have two sons. They both graduated from Horizon HS and are both studying at CU Boulder seeking mechanical engineering degrees. I love working with the kids and helping them find " Just the right book"! My...

Nutrition

Schoengarth, Elizabeth

Kitchen Manager

Costello, Nancy

Kitchen

I am a Senior-Cook Cashier. I have been working for Adams 12 for 12 years. I like to Bowl,Read and go to the Gym. I have worked at 2 other schools before coming to Hillcrest. I have one daughter and 3 grandchildren.

Custodial

Buster, Laura

Head Custodian , Head Custodian

I have been working at Hillcrest since 2014 and love coming to work every day. I have been working for Adams 12 for 18 years all in the custodial department.I have one daughter, who attends a Adams 12 school. We love spending time in the mountains camping, fishing and playing on our 4-wheelers.

Bray, Carmen

Custodian

Carmen has recently joined our staff here at Hillcrest and we are grateful for all she does for our school. Thank you Carmen.

Wheeling, Donald

Custodian

O.o

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