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MEET THE DGS TEAM!

LEAD PARTNERS

 

Kartal Jaquette
lead Partner
EMAIL KARTAL!

“I love that this school takes the best ideas of education, puts them on a pedestal and then comes at them with joy and a strong system.”

Hometown:
Newton, MA

Erin Miller
lead Partner
Email Erin!

“I love watching and participating in the act of kids committing to their own growth and success.”

Hometown:
Thornton, Co

 

6TH GRADE

chris occhiuto
6th gRADE lITERACY
EMAIL chris!

“I’m excited about shared
leadership and autonomy at DGS.”

Hometown:
Canon City, CO

Matt Suprunowicz
6TH gRADE lITERACY
email matt!

“I enjoy supporting students in achieving their reading goals through relevant and engaging curriculum.”

Hometown:
Saratoga Springs, NY

AMBER SHEARER
6th Grade Literacy
Email Amber!

“I love how pedagogy is always changing, but the core of education is always ensuring that students are learning at high levels and becoming unique human beings.”

Hometown:
Broomfield, CO

Joe Perez
6TH gRADE mATH
EMAIL JOE!

“I love the curiosity, creativity and playfulness that students and I share which inevitably builds our relationship.”

Hometown:
Santa Fe, NM

Ashton Marshall
6th gRADE Math
email ashton!

“I enjoy the challenge of finding ways to introduce ideas, connect concepts, and engage students.”

Hometown:
Virginia

Hannah Miller
6th gRADE Science
EMAIL hannah!

“I love building relationships with students and helping to spark curiosity about the world around us.”

Hometown:
Mankato, MN

reed young
6th gRADE Social Studies
EMAIL reed!

“I love working in education because it gives me space to build relationships with young people and to learn about their stories. I am inspired by students' curiosity about the world around us and their commitment to create change.”

Hometown:
Washington, D.C.

Justin Barney
8th GRADE Spanish
Email justin!

“I love having the opportunity to share my passion for the Spanish language & Latino culture with students.”

HOMETOWN:
WESTMINSTER, CA

7TH GRADE

Bryce Hostetler
7th GRADE Science
email bryce!

“I love being an educator talking to students about stuff that matters.”

Hometown:
dODGE cITY, ks

Jake Bury
7th GRADE Social Studies
email Jake!

“I love watching students build connections between the past and the present.”

Hometown:
Sioux Falls, Sd

Amanda Boike
7th GRADE Spanish
email amanda!

“I love seeing my students' imaginations engaged while creating class stories.”

Hometown:
Montevideo, MN

Jessica Montenieri
7th Literacy
email jessica!

I love building community with kids/empowering them to grow/be curious.”

Hometown:
Vermont/New Hampshire

Will Case
7th Math
email will!

“At DGS there is a tremendous amount of focus on making learning enjoyable for students.”

Hometown:
New Orleans & Arkansas

Jessica M. Bell
7th Literacy
Email jessica!

“My love for education allows me to keep learning. My gift is used to build lasting relationships as students inspire me, and I encourage them to think beyond their comfort zones.”

Hometown:
Denver, CO

Molly Daugherty
7th Math
email Molly!

“I love growing and feeling connected to other humans by being an educator.”

Hometown: Denver/Aurora

8TH GRADE

Annie Jones
8th GRADE Literacy
email annie!

“I love making school a place where a kid feels loved, valued, seen, and is learning.”

Hometown:
Parker, Co

Brandon messerly
8th GRADE Science
Email BRANDON!

“I love connecting with students and helping them develop and grow as people.”

Hometown:
San Luis Obispo, CA

Jamal Rankins
8th GRADE Social Studies
email jamal!

“I love witnessing the moment a student connects a lesson from the past to the present”

Hometown:
Virginia Beach, VA

Brooke Moscow
8th GRADE Literacy
Email brooke!

“My favorite thing about DGS is the joyful community we have here.”

Hometown:
Baltimore

Brooke Osekavage
8th GRADE Spanish
Email BROOKE!

“I love teaching academics and life skills to teenagers. I live for those "aha!" moments.”

Hometown:
Louisville, CO

Anna O’Toole
8th GRADE Math
Email Anna!

“I’m excited to join the DGS team and to help students grow in math".

Hometown:
Austin, TX

Travis Balch
8TH gRADE Math
Email travis!

“I love helping students enjoy and become passionate about math learning.”

Hometown:
Albuquerque

ELECTIVES

Nicholas Zuschneid
Gardening
Email nicholas!

“I want to help kids understand how the word "sustainability" applies to both how we use natural resources and how we conduct our personal and working lives.”

Hometown:
Fort Collins, CO

Mike Quintana
Music & Disc Golf
Email Mike!

“Knowing that so many of my students are developing musical skills they will use for the rest of their lives truly excites me.”

Hometown:
Westminster, CO

Megan Jones (website)
Visual Art
Email Megan!

“DGS is seriously my dream school! I love the focus on sustainability and social justice, and the community here is beyond amazing.”

Hometown:
Morrison, CO

MATT PAAVOLA
pe tEACHER
EMAIL mATT!

“I enjoy forming positive relationships with students and seeing their growth from 6th to 8th Grade. I love sharing my passion for leading a healthy, active lifestyle.”

Hometown:
Racine, WI

SUPPORT STAFF

Mallory Bowdish
7th Grade Special Education
email Mallory!

“I love seeing the growth in the students. It's awesome to see how they develop year after year.”

HOMETOWN:
dENVER, co

Tina Lin
sECRETARY
email pHAEDRA!

“I love helping students and families navigate this next chapter in their educational journey“

HOMETOWN:
Chicago, IL

Hannah Bergeman
8th Grade Special Education
email Hannah!

“I love the opportunity to meet such a diversity of students. Everyone has a different perspective and being in education allows me to be a perpetual learner.”

HOMETOWN:
South Bend, IN

rOXANA pEREZ
hEALTH tECH & sECRETARY
email rOXANA!

“It fascinates me to see minds grow to their full potential and to be a part of that growth.”

HOMETOWN:
El Salvador Central America & Los Angeles, Ca

Nate Paul
GIFTED & TALENTED
email Nate!

“I love to help push students in their critical thinking skills”

HOMETOWN:
Anytown, USA

Eric Morning
STUDENT ADVISOR
Email Eric!

"I love supporting students to grow into the best version of themselves and want to make them feel supported each step in the journey."

HOMETOWN:
Aurora, co

JILL DREIER
6th Grade SPECIAL EDUCATION
email jill!

“DGS Northfield not only allows, but actually encourages staff and students to be who they authentically are.”

HOMETOWN:
WISCONSIN

Niki Bidinger
Autism Center
Email Niki

“I love how DGS encourages students to embrace who they are and how inclusive the community is”

HOMETOWN:
Taylor, MI

TRACY CARLSON
8th Grade SPECIAL EDUCATION
email tracy!

“I love being an educator because it is a challenging and rewarding career. Everyday I wake up knowing I can grow and influence a kiddo to be the best they can be in life.”

HOMETOWN:
DENVER, Co

ALEX RETHWISCH
6th Grade SPECIAL EDUCATIOn
EMAIL ALEX!

“Being able to make a positive impact on every student/ individual I encounter!”

HOMETOWN:
IOWA

Katherine Hoeweler
7th Grade SPECIAL EDUCATION
Email Katherine!

“I love working with kids! They are more fun than grown-ups. I am always learning new things- from learning about anime to how the brain functions!”

HOMETOWN:
Steamboat Springs, CO

eMMA mORTENSEN
STUDENT SUPPORT LIAISON
Email EMMA!

“I love being a source of support for student! I love building meaningful relationships with kids that help guide them to being the best people they can be.”

HOMETOWN:
Racine, Wi

 Mental Health

 

Rosie Levenson
School psychologist
EMAIL Rosie!

I love working with students, teachers, and families to help students achieve their fullest potential and enjoy middle school!

HOMETOWN:
Westport, CT

Jake Fieseler
Part time school counselor
EMAIL Jake!

Working with a student to help process an emotion or make a plan to thrive is a true bucket filler for me”

HOMETOWN:
Denver, CO

 

Mission: The Mission of the DGS Northfield program is to provide a comprehensive school counseling program that will assist students’ academic development, social emotional growth, and post secondary planning. To teach students skills to become responsible, respectful, citizens, in a diverse community.

Vision: DGS Northfield students will become inclusive, caring, thoughtful individuals who have a positive impact on their community. We value diversity, innovations, integrity, equity, and discussion. We value holistic learning through experience and reflection. We work with stakeholders to provide a supportive and growth oriented environment to promote overall success for each unique student.