Rebecca Collins - Gifted and Talented

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Gifted and Talented Website

Valerie Gusdorf - ESL

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Valerie Gusdorf has been in education for over 20 years in various teaching and leadership positions. She moved to Colorado with her husband and two sons from New Mexico in 2014, and began teaching in DCSD in 2016.

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Kelsey is a 2nd year elementary school counselor, eager for her 1st year at Eldorado Elementary! As a Douglas County School District graduate, Kelsey is excited to give back to the community in which she grew up. Kelsey got her Bachelor’s degree from CSU (go Rams!) and her Master’s in school counseling from DU (go Pios!). She believes every student does their best when they can and is passionate about helping students recognize their strengths and their full potentials. She and her husband, Tyrus, have a 1 year old daughter named Elliot, a dog named Obi, and 2 cats named Maz and Ezra. She loves spending time with her family outside, at Rockies games, or curled up at home reading or watching a movie. She is excited for a great year at Eldorado! 

Melanie Sill - School Psychologist

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Melanie Sill has served as the School Psychologist at Eldorado Elementary since the fall of 2022. Melanie received her Master’s degree in Education and Education Specialist degree from the College of William & Mary, and is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist. She also has a certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental disorders. She collaborates with teachers, staff, students, and families to promote the success of Eldorado’s students. In July 2022, Melanie moved from northern Virginia to Colorado and began her role in DCSD. She loves to be in nature and spend time with her dog, Sammy. Melanie is passionate about her work with students and advocating for their educational needs. Thank you for your continued partnership this school year!

Courtney Jensen - Speech Language Pathologist 

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Speech Language Website

Picture coming soon!

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Susan Major has worked as a Speech-Language Pathologist in Douglas County since 2011.  She previously worked in the Early Childhood program, and served as the district itinerant SLP working with students in K-12 and the Bridge Program.  Susan’s excited to return to Eldorado and work with the wonderful families that make this community so special!

Lucy Lowe - Occupational Therapist

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While Lucy is a Louisiana transplant, she married into a Colorado native family. She graduated with her Master's in Occupational Therapy in 2008.  She joined the Douglas County School District OT team in 2021. She is a momma on the go with three busy children! In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, and making quilts.

Jackie Carland - Learning Specialist

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Jackie Carland has been teaching moderate needs students at Eldorado Elementary since 2001. Prior to teaching in Douglas County she taught in Rock Springs, Wyoming for 7 years. She works with students and teachers in grades K-6. Jackie is the team lead for the special education team, a member of the Learning & Leadership Team and is one of Eldorado's Personalized Learning Leaders. 

Julie Jones - Learning Specialist

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Jenn Zajacs - Learning Specialist

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I have been teaching students with moderate needs in Douglas County for 11 years. After completing my master degree in special education I started my career in Parker in 2001 and joined the team at Eldorado in 2003. I was part of the special Ed team until 2010 when I decided to stay home and raise my three kids. During that time I tutored elementary, middle and high school students students in reading and math. In 2022 I came back to Eldorado to rejoin the special education team. 

Karen Anzar - EA-4 (Mild/Mod)

Kalya Aye - EA-4 (Mild/Mod)

Audrey Russo - EA-4 (Mild/Mod)

Nicole Moore - Special Education Teacher- Affective Needs

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Nicole Moore has been teaching for fourteen years. She began as a second grade teacher in Florida and then moved into Special Education where she gained a passion and love for working with students with significant needs. She graduated from Florida Atlantic University in 2011 with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and she received her master's in Special Education at the University of Colorado.

 Liz Schade - Social Worker

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Liz Schade has served at a School Social Worker at Eldorado Elementary since the fall of 2023. Liz received her Masters of Social Work from Metropolitan State University of Denver in 2023 and became a Licensed Social Worker shortly after. She grew up in Douglas County and her mom has also been a teacher is the district for over 25 years as well! Liz values working hard with her school teammates and families to ensure her students receive what they need in order to thrive. She is excited to continue working with and making growth with her students at Eldorado!

Kali Kardas - EA-4 (AN)

Kaitlynn Hunter - EA-4 (AN)

Jan Brighten - EA-4 (AN)

Bree Williams - EA-4 (AN)

Bryan Swalley - Special Education Teacher - SSN

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Bryan has been working in Special Education for Douglas County Schools since 2019.  Bryan has worked as both a Moderate Needs Learning Specialist and a Significant Support Needs teacher at Eldorado Elementary.  Prior to working for Douglas County Schools Bryan worked as a Dean for Hope Online serving at-risk students for 5 years. 

Liz Baylus - EA-4 (SSN)

Olga Mannino - EA-4 (SSN)

Wrushali Akotkar - EA-4 (SSN)

Simmy Katoch - EA-4 (SSN)

Vicki Matta - RISE (Reading Intervention for Students to Excel) Coordinator

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Vickie has been at Eldorado for several years as an educational assistant and currently as an interventionist and READ plan coordinator.  Her role includes helping students in their educational path and to provide resources in both reading and math to teachers as they work with their classrooms.  She taught previously in Lincoln, NE and Quincy, IL

RISE Website

Heidi Johnson - Literacy Interventionist

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Heidi Johnson has been teaching for 29 years. Twenty of these years has been in Douglas County teaching Kindergarten, first, second, third, fourth and fifth grades. Prior to teaching in Douglas County she taught in Littleton Public Schools as a Literary Specialist and then in Arizona as a preschool and third-grade teacher. She was a Digital Educator from 2006-2007. Heidi has served on the technology and PRIDE committees and has served on the Building Leadership team since 2011. She received her undergraduate degree, in 1985, from Northwestern College in Elementary Education. In 2003 she received her Masters Degree in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment from Walden University in Minnesota.  Heidi has retired from the classroom as of 2021 and has been serving as a part time reading and math support teacher for grades K-6. 

Mrs. Johnson's Website

Kim Fisher - Science Facilitator

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Darlene Loflin - EA-1

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Darlene Loflin is an Educational Assistant and this will be her 8th year of working at Eldorado Elementary.  She grew up in San Antonio, Texas and has lived in Highlands Ranch, CO since 2004.  She has two kids that started in preschool at Eldorado and throughout the years she has volunteered in our classrooms.  Darlene loves making connections with her students and hopes to offer the students a caring and supportive learning environment.

Stephani Heppenstall - EA-1

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Stephani is about to begin her 5th year as an EA at Eldorado Elementary. She is from Southern California. Deciding to move to CO 11yrs ago to raise her family in this beautiful state has been one of the best decisions of her life. She is proud to call herself an EE Panther, and is truly grateful to be able to work with such amazing students,  and a staff that inspires her daily.

Rebecca Fackrell - EA-1

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Rebecca Fackrell is an Educational Assistant-1 at Eldorado Elementary and is in her second year working at Eldorado. Rebecca grew up in Alaska, graduated from Oregon State University with her BS in Marketing, and is pursuing her master’s in social work through Louisiana State University. Rebecca believes in cultivating a student’s individuality and capabilities as both a pupil and global citizen. Rebecca strives to create an environment at Eldorado that encourages kindness, self-esteem, growth, safety, and a love for learning.

Sarah Demers - EA-1

Sarah Demers is excited to officially join the Eldorado staff as an EA after many years of volunteering in the classroom, as a room parent and serving on the PTO. She is the parent of two EE students, incoming 3rd and 5th graders. Sarah grew up in Texas where she graduated from Texas Tech University and lived in Austin before moving to Colorado 14 years ago with her husband Dennis.

 Diana Szymczak - EA-1

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Diana Szymczak is the Educational Assistant for our Kindergarten classes. This will be her 4th year at Eldorado. Diana grew up in Schweinfurt Germany and moved to the United States in 2009. Since 2014 she has lived in Highlands Ranch with her husband and two sons, who are also proud Panthers. She loves working with kids and has a passion of enabling kids to grow and learn.