

OUR STAFF
We are very pleased to introduce our staff to our Merit Academy families. The members of this team are amazing, highly qualified, passionate about children and education, and share Merit Academy's vision and foundational principles.
We strive to have the strongest and best educational team possible for not just this year, but in years to come. Get to know your staff! You will be so glad you did!

aut viam inveniam aut faciam
I will either find a way or make one
CHIEF ACTION OFFICER
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
24 years in Education/Higher Education
Specialty: Change Management, Organizational Development, Communication, Leadership Development, Team Cohesion, & Performance
DEAN OF SCHOOLS
DEAN OF UPPER SCHOOL
MA: School Counseling
CO License: K-12 Counseling &
Principals' Endorsements
5 years experience:
Counselor, Director of Alternative Education
Dean of Schools

Somnia magna agite in hoc
Dream big, then act on it!
DEAN OF GRAMMAR SCHOOL
3RD GRADE
MA, CO Licensed: Early Education
Specialist: Early Education
10 years teaching elementary
6 years teaching at the college level
10 years as an administrator

Magno animo opus est ad animos iuvenum docendos
It takes a big heart to teach little minds
KINDERGARTEN
BS: Elementary Education
M.Ed: Special Education; Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Education
CO Licensed: K-6, ELL
15 years experience teaching ELL/K-6

Surgimus elevando alios
We rise by lifting others
1ST GRADE
BS: Early Education
CO License in K-6, Read Act
30 years teaching experience in elementary education

PARAEDUCATOR
primarily 6-8
AMOR ET SECUNDUM
SEMPER EO ORDINE
Love and success, always in that order
2ND GRADE
BS: Early Education
CO License in K-6, Read Act
1 year teaching experience in elementary education

4TH GRADE
M.Ed: Special Education;
CO License: K-12 Sped, Elementary Ed
Principal's License
16 years experience: teaching, principal
Quod anima tua consumit
animam tuam
What consumes your mind controls your life

confortare et esto robustus
Be strong and courageous
5TH GRADE
BA: Elementary Education
MA: History, Emphasis in Education
CO Licensed: K-6 Elementary Education
16 years teaching experience

PARAEDUCATOR, PRIMARILY 3-5
BA: Theology
BA: Elementary Education
Licensed (AZ) Elementary Ed
7 years teaching elementary
7 years homeschool teacher

Memento vivere
Remember to Live
SCHOOL OF LOGIC (6-8)
LANGUAGE ARTS
BA: Elementary Education
M.Ed: Literacy
CO Licensed: ESL, Language Arts, &
Social Science
5 years teaching experience at college level
5 years teaching experience secondary level
Numquam numquam numquam desistas
Never, never, never give up

COGITO ERGO SUM
Do All Things With Your Best Effort
SCHOOL OF LOGIC (6-8)
MATH
BS: Elementary Education
CO Licensed: Math 6-8, Read Act
7 years experience: teaching
Middle School Math, PLC, Team Lead,
MTSS Coach/Interventionist

COGITO ERGO SUM
I think, therefore I am
SCHOOL OF LOGIC (6-8)
SCIENCE & HISTORY
BA: Anthropolgy/International Studies
MS: Teaching Secondary Social Studies
CO Licensed; K-6 Elementary
6-12 Science, Social Studies

beatius est magis dare
quam accipere
It is more blessed to give than receive
director of student support
special education
BA: Communication & Theater, emphasis in Secondary Education
M.Ed.: Special Education
CO LIcensed: Special Education I Moderate Needs, 5-21, ELA 7-12th grades
10 years teaching experience

Omnes magistri sumus. Omnes discentium sumus
We are all teachers. We are all learners.
READING SPECIALIST

MR. HUNTER
STUDENT SUPPORT

MRS. PRATHER
Ora et Labora
Pray and work
STUDENT SUPPORT

MRS. MONTGOMERY
Rei benignitas
Kindness Matters
BEHAVIOR/KINDNESS COACH

ART & THEATER
Nutrimentum creativity et integritas
Nurture creativity and integrity
BA: Liberal Arts & Elementary Education
CO Licensed: K-6, Reading
Writing, Communication
15 years teaching experience

MUSIC/VOCAL
BS:Music Education
CO Licensed: Music K-12
10 years experience teaching Music

scientia sit potentia
Knowledge is Power
6TH-8TH : ROCKY MOUNTAIN SCIENCE, ASTRONOMY
BS: Science, Avian Science + 120 hrs
CO LIcensed: Secondary Science, Biological
31years experience teaching Science
Vacate et cognoscite
Be Still and Know

MRS. CRAMER
MOTUS FACIT COGNITA
Movement Facilitates Learning
LEARNING COACH
MA: Counseling
Certified Teacher in
Education through Movement
Trained Consultant: Math in Movement
22 years teaching experience k-12
LEARNING COACH

OMNE AURUM NON FULGET
All that is gold does not glitter
LEARNING COACH
BS: Electrical Engineering
Education Experience:
Private Tutor for 10+ years
Homeschooling: 14 years

MRS. HALCOMB
HODIE MATERIA FAC
Make Today Matter
PARAPROFESSIONAL 6-8TH

MRS. COOPER
TAMEN I ORIRI
Still, I Rise
COMMUNITY LIAISON LEARNING COACH
MA: Social Work
AAS: Health Occupations
10 years experience in education

MRS. WRIGHT
LAETITIA
JOY
PARAPROFESSIONAL
MR. RICHARDSON
BELOVED FACILITIES MANAGER

cura serve et sana
Care, Serve, and Heal
NURSE
BS: Nursing
Registered Nurse, Pediatric Unit
Chemo Certified, PALS Certified, ALCS Certified, BCS Certified

Numquam ne quis te coruscent hebes
Never let anyone dull your sparkle
LIBRARY/LEARNING COACH

MRS. WHITE
Da hilari corde
Give with a cheerful heart
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY