Staff
Tracy Tellinger
Picture:
Job Description: What an amazing opportunity to work with our brilliant STEM students, families, and staff! As part of the visionary team, I am honored to serve as Principal and to be a part of this rapidly growing community.
Audrey Seybold
Picture:
Job Description: Audrey Seybold is excited to join the STEM team as assistant principal. She is beginning her 12th year in Adams 12 school district. Audrey has a Bachelors degree in Biology with a minor in Secondary Education from Saint Louis University and a Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction from UCD. Her administrative coursework was completed through DU. Ms. Seybold taught eighth grade science for ten years at both Niver Creek and Rocky Top Middle. She and her husband have three kids, 9, 7, and 4. When she is not at school, Audrey enjoys running, hiking, and watching her daughters' soccer games and son's football games. She looks forward to working with the Lynx students and staff to make this an exciting school year!
Teri Crump
Picture:
Job Description: Kindergarten Teacher-Teri Crump holds a B.A. in Behavioral Science with an Elementary Education Licensure, an Associate Degree in Graphic Design and Multimedia, and is a Mimio Certified Trainer. Teri is a native of Colorado where she is proud to have attended Adams 12 Five Star Schools from Kindergarten through 12th Grade. During time away from school she enjoys traveling, spending time with her niece, and social media. She is thrilled to be starting her third year at the STEM Magnet Lab School.
Alayna Henderson
Picture:
Job Description: First grade teacher - Alayna is a National Board Certified Teacher with certification as an Early Childhood Generalist. She is a native Floridian where she taught grades K-3 and served as staff developer for literacy and math, demonstration classroom teacher, action research coach, and trainer for the New Jersey Writing Project in Florida. A lover of nature and the outdoors, Alayna moved with her family to Colorado and became a member of the Adams 12 District Literacy Team where she developed curriculum, coached literacy coordinators, and provided professional development for teachers and administrators. Alayna is energized by the STEM concept and the enthusiasm for learning and discovery displayed by STEM students. She enjoys photography, writing poetry, is an avid football fan, and absolutely loves spending time with her Shelties.
Niki Conniff
Picture:
Job Description: 1st Grade Teacher- Niki holds a M.A. in Reading with an endorsement as a Reading Specialist, and a B.A. in English and Elementary Education. Niki has taught Kindergarten and first grade, and is looking forward to her fifth year in Adams 12. Niki loves the energy and new challenges that STEM Lab provides. STEM students have a very dedicated approach to their learning and Niki feels honored to be apart of such a committed team of students and staff members. Niki enjoys spending time with her dog, skiing, being with family and friends, and traveling the world.
Allison Silvaggio
Picture:
Job Description: Allison Silvaggio is thrilled to be part of the STEM team! She previously taught kindergarten in District 50, and has loved teaching second grade at STEM Lab. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Science Education with a focus in Experiential Learning through the University of Colorado Denver. Allison works with XSci Education Research Collaborative and has been fortunate enough to experience Tanzania with teachers and researchers. Her Masters is in Elementary Education, Curriculum and Instruction, with a focus in Mathematics and Science. Allison partners with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Colorado School of Mines during the summer creating and teaching “The Science of Energy” for Colorado Educators. Allison loves to travel, hike, run, scuba dive and spend time with her daughter. Allison is looking forward to an exciting year and encouraging problem-solving, critical thinking skills, and developing confident and capable students in the STEM environment!
Jenny Tennant
Picture:
Job Description: 2nd Grade Teacher-Jenny holds a M.A. in Educational Leadership Policies and Studies, a B.A. in Communications and Theatre with an emphasis in Public Relations, and is a Mimio Ceritified Trainer. She has been a Literacy and Student Achievement Coach, an Educational Consultant, has taught Kindergarten through 3rd Grades, coordinated and/or directed programs, and was a Chapter I Title Reading Teacher. Jenny loves being a product of Adams 12 Five Star Schools and a proud staff member at STEM Magnet Lab School. Mrs. Tennant enjoys facilitating learners to become 21st Century thinkers!
Jamie Olson
Picture:
Job Description: Jamie Olson is a third grade teacher. She is a native of Colorado, and has enjoyed raising three children, ages 21-15. She is a certified elementary school teacher (K-6) and holds a bachelor of science degree in business, as well as a multicultural education degree from the University of Colorado. She enjoys winter skiing, watching her daughters play soccer and orchestra, summer outdoor activities, and entertaining. She is thrilled to be in her 10th year teaching at the STEM Magnet Lab School!
Kate Klaver
Picture:
Job Description: Kate received her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from the University of Iowa and her Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Urban and Linguistically Diverse Education through the Boettcher Teachers Program and the University of Denver. As an educator, her ultimate goal is to strengthen students’ natural tendencies to observe and wonder about the world. STEM is an ideal place to help students develop the lifetime habits of mind to “get messy” with learning—to experiment, discover, take risks, grow, and reflect.
Eileen Patrick
Picture:
Job Description: Eileen is teaching fourth grade at STEM for the second year after many years working as an instructional technology specialist and a teacher librarian. However, her first 8 years teaching were in a fourth grade classroom at Federal Heights Elementary and being back in a classroom reflects a return to a first love. Eileen holds endorsement in Educating Linguistically Diverse students as well as a School Media Endorsement. She also has a Masters from the University of Colorado and a Bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University in Middletown CT. Originally from the East coast, she has lived in Colorado for the last thirty years with her husband and two adult sons.
Shannon West
Picture:
Job Description: I am so excited to be part of the STEM community and teaching 4th grade! As a teacher, I strive to provide my students with learning experiences that encourage them to ask questions and think critically. My classroom is a safe collaborative environment that encourages students to take risks and validates their efforts. In 1998, I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science from Northwestern University. In 2003, I moved to Boulder, Colorado to attend the University of Colorado and receive a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. I enjoy hiking, snowboarding, traveling and spending time with my son, Rocco.
Dawn Schankweiler
Picture:
Job Description: Hello, I am extremely happy to be at STEM teaching math, science and engineering in fifth grade. I would like to share a little bit about myself. I was born and raised in New Jersey. There I received my bachelor of science in Business Administration, majoring in Accounting from Seton Hall University. After working for Ernst & Young LLP as an accountant for a few years. I then decided to move to Colorado. I love it here!! I continued my education to get my Masters of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in K-8 Mathematics. I am looking forward to an exciting and action packed year.
Kurt Helfrich
Picture:
Job Description: After more than 2 decades as an educator, I am elated and inspired to call the 5th grade at STEM Magnet Lab School my home. Originally from the Hawaiian Islands, I began my teaching career in New York after completing my Bachelors of Science from the State University of New York at Fredonia. However, as serendipity is often woven in arcane ways, I ventured out West to Colorado to earn a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from CU Boulder, with an endorsement as a K-12 Literacy Specialist. It is with great ardor that I look forward to help galvanize the incoming 5th grade STEMsters, enable them to realize their potential, and then rocket beyond!
Karen Johnson
Picture:
Job Description: Karen Johnson is teaching Sixth Grade Science and Engineering classes at STEM. She is beginning her 23rd year in Adams 12. Dr. Johnson has a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education, a Masters degree in Math and Science Curriculum and a PhD in Educational Leadership with a focus on scientific inquiry at the middle school level. In the past six years, she has been working with the Colorado School of Mines to develop and teach Adventure Engineering to middle school students and teachers. She also instructs teachers through online courses for the University of Colorado, Denver and Wilkes University of PA. She is excited to be helping students become part of the scientific community through projects such as GLOBE, GO3, NASA Explorer Schools, and MoonKam. She is looking forward to an exciting school year!
Molly Sorenson
E-Mail: mary.k.sorenson@adams12.org
Job Description: Social Studies - 6th Grade and 7th Grade
Job Description: Social Studies - 6th Grade and 7th Grade
Holly Gilbertson
Picture:
Job Description: Math - 7th Grade and 8th Grade - I am so excited to be back in the middle school environment. There is so much energy here!
Jessica Noffsinger
Picture:
Job Description: Hi! I'm Jess Noffsinger and I am very excited to be teaching 8th grade Science and Engineering. I received my Bachelors Degree in Chemistry from the Colorado School of Mines. I earned my teaching credential through the Teacher In Residence program and have spent the past 11 years teaching middle school math and science. I have a MA in Educational Administration from DU. I enjoy spending time with my two sons and husband, digital scrapbooking, and reading in my free time. As an educator, I am passionate about creating deep learning experiences that enhance student thinking and creativity!
Karen Bennett
Picture:
Job Description: Hello, I am Karen Bennett. I have truly found my home teaching art here at STEM. Not only does STEM’s inquiry philosophy align well with my own, but STEM is the only school where I can combine my love of art and knowledge of science with my passion for teaching. I have multiple teaching credentials, Art, High School Science, K- 6th and Special Education. I have my Bain science from, SUNY, Geneseo, NY and did graduate work at the University of California, Berkeley in art history. This is my 22nd year in the Adams 12 District. I am a native of Colorado and live with my teenage son, Martin, and my father. In my free time, I do my own art work, read and travel.
Gregg Cannady
Picture:
Job Description: Dr. Gregg Cannady received his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Colorado State University, Master of Arts in Music Education from the University of Wyoming and a Doctor of Musical Arts in the Literature and Performance of Choral Music from the University of Colorado.
Hannah Larson
Picture:
Job Description: Hi, I am very excited to be the school counselor at STEM. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. I have my Master’s Degree in Counseling and Human Services with a specialty in School Counseling. I am here to empower each and every student to be the best that they can be! Feel free to call, email, or stop in anytime with questions or concerns about your student.
