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!

MRS. HENDRICKSON

Somnia magna agite in hoc

Dream big, then act on it!

DEAN OF GRAMMAR SCHOOL & 504 Coordinator

MA, CO Licensed: Early Education, READ Act

Specialist: Early Education

11 years teaching elementary

6 years teaching at the college level

11 years as an administrator

rhendrickson@merit.academy

DR. PEKRON

aut viam inveniam aut faciam

I will either find a way or make one

HEADMASTER

Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology

25 years in Education/Higher Education

Specialty: Change Management, Organizational Development, Communication, Leadership Development, Team Cohesion, & Performance

gpekron@merit.academy

MRS. HANSON

Quod consumit animum tuum dominatur vita tua

What consumes your mind controls your life

DEAN OF UPPER SCHOOL & Curriculum Instruction

M.Ed. Special Education

CO license: K-12 SPED, Elementary Ed

READ Act, Principal's license

17 years experience: teacher/principal

ahanson@merit.academy

SCHOOL OF GRAMMAR

MRS. KINTON

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: ELEM ED, READ ACT

17 years teaching experience

hkinton@merit.academy

MRS. WINDISH

Tu numquam vetulae ad alium metam

You are never too old to set another goal

KINDERGARTEN

BS: Elementary Education

4 years teacher & 6 years para experience in elementary education

jwindish@merit.academy

MRS. Grubb

Auderet esse praeclarum

Dare to be Remarkable

1ST GRADE

BA: Geography

Read Act Certification

Early Childhood Education Certification

mgrubb@merit.academy

MRS. BUCHER

Omnes Enim aliquid docere ac discere

We all have something to teach and learn

1ST GRADE

BA: Elementary Ed;

MA: Special Education;

CO License: Elementary Ed,

5-21 SPED, READ Act

22 years experience teaching

mbucher@merit.academy

MRS. EDGIN

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

3 years teaching experience in Elementary Education

bedgin@merit.academy

MS. CRAWFORD

Semper Optimum

Always try your best

2ND GRADE

BS: Early Childhood Education

20 years education experience

rcrawford@merit.academy

Mrs. Swinhart

Qui docere audet, semper discit

Who dares to teach must

never cease to learn.

3Rd GRADE

BS: Early Childhood Education

TX/OK License in Elementary Ed,

+ CO: READ Act

10 years education experience

10 years working with special needs

rswinhart@merit.academy

MRS. Bowers

Rideat et Mundus Ridet Vobiscum

Laugh, and the world laughs with you

3rd GRADE

BA: Elementary Education, Middle School Endorsement

Colorado READ Act Certified

Early Childhood: Birth- 5 years endorsement

MA: Special Education K-12

sbowers@merit.academy

Mrs. Beevers

Timor cadendi ne te fugias

Don't let the fear of falling keep you from flying

4TH GRADE

Currently earning BS from WGU, graduating February 2024

3 years experience in education

kbeevers@merit.academy

Mrs. Cowan

Ut Ex Intentione Obsidendi in his I occurrant

To intentionally invest in those I encounter

4TH GRADE

BS: Early Childhood Education

TESOL concentration w/ Language Studies Emphasis

M. ED.: Educational Leadership (K-12)

MO Continuous Career License (Early Childhood Education & Elementary Education)

Initial Administration License (K-12)

16 years educational experience

ccowan@merit.academy

Ms. Meyers

Hodie, i eligere gaudium

Today, I choose joy!

5TH & 6th GRADE History

BS: Interdisciplinary Studies- Elementary Education

Minor: Early Childhood Education

jmeyers@merit.academy

Mr. Cowan

Numquam Numquam

Never say never

5TH & 6th Grade Math

M. Ed.: Curriculum & Instruction

BS: Elementary Education

MO Lifetime Certification

20 years educational experience

lcowan@merit.academy

MRS. Kaufmann

Fac Fortia Et Patere

Do Brave Deeds and Endure

5th & 6th Grade English Language Arts, ELL Coordinator

MA: Education & Distance Learning

CO Licensed: K-6, Elementary Ed Endorsement, ELL Endorsement

21 years in Education & Higher Education

akaufmann@merit.academy

Ms. Richardson

Amor et humor sunt lumina quae lectionem consilia illustrant

Love and humor are the lights that illuminate the lesson plan

5th & 6th Grade Science

BA: Teaching

Certified Teacher

25+ Graduate school hours

5 years educational experience

trichardson@merit.academy

MRS. BASNETT

Semper Positivo animo et Beneficium Dubitationis

Always assume positive intent & give the benefit of the doubt

K-5 Music, Music Department Chair

BS: Music Education

CO Licensed: Music K-12

13 years experience teaching Music

tbasnett@merit.academy

MR. BEHR

Sed contra, beatitudo non est aliquid paratum. Ex propriis actionibus fit

Happiness is not something ready-made.

It comes from your own actions

K-5 PE

BA+30: Education/Special Education

Prior MT/IA licenses

20 years teaching & coaching K-College

rbehr@merit.academy

MS. STEVENSON

Nutrimentum creativity et integritas

Nurture creativity and integrity

ART

BA: Liberal Arts & Elementary Education

CO Licensed: K-6, Reading

Writing, Communication

*PD for Art Endorsement

20 years teaching experience

jstevenson@merit.academy

MS. WINN

Numquam numquam

numquam desistas

Never, never, never give up

Homeschool Coordinator, Teacher's Aide

BA: Theology

BA: Elementary Education

Prior License (AZ) Elementary Ed

17 years experience in Public/Private/Charter/Homeschool

ewinn@merit.academy

Ms. Faircloth

Docendo Discimus

By teaching, we learn

School of Grammar Latin

BS: Spanish & Accounting

jfaircloth@merit.academy

Ms. Carver

Gratias agere et nihil praesumpseram

Give thanks and take nothing for granted

Teacher's Aide and K-4 Science

Early Childhood Teacher for 20 years

Early Childhood Director for 8 Years

lcarver@merit.academy

Mrs. Oakley

Est Bonum vis Videre in Mundo

Be the change you wish to see in the world

K-4 Science

17 years educational experience

Colorado State WorKeys Proficiency Certificate for Teacher's Assistants

toakley@merit.academy

MRS. ROHMAN

Ubi amor est vita est

Where there is love, there is life

Teacher's Aide

krohman@merit.academy

MRS. Krebs

Teacher's Aide

bkrebs@merit.academy

Ms. Bell

Teacher's Aide

jbell@merit.academy

MRS. Goins

Teacher's Aide

kgoins@merit.academy

Mrs. Starr

Usu temere beneficiis gratuiti actus pulchritudinis

Practice random acts of kindness & selfless acts of beauty

Teacher's Aide

4 years experience as a SPED paraeducator

7 years experience as an Assistant Preschool Teacher

mstarr@merit.academy

Mrs. Richardson

Surgimus elevando alios

We rise by lifting others

School of Grammar Curriculum & Instruction

BS: Early Education

CO License in K-6, READ Act

32 years teaching experience in elementary education

mrichardson@merit.academy

UPPER SCHOOL: SCHOOLS OF LOGIC & RHETORIC

MRS. COLE

confortare et esto robustus

Be strong and courageous

School of Rhetoric HISTORY

BA: Elementary Education

MA: History, Emphasis in Education

CO Teaching License;

College Instructor: History

17 years teaching experience

jcole@merit.academy

Ms. Millar

Ut nos numquam mirantibus

May we never lose our wonder

Upper School English Language Arts

BA: English Literature

5 years experience in Secondary Education

bmillar@merit.academy

MRS. FLICKINGER

Memento vivere

Remember to Live

Upper School English

LANGUAGE ARTS

BA: Elementary Education

M.Ed: Literacy

CO Licensed: ESL, Language Arts, &

Social Science

5 years teaching experience at college level

6 years teaching experience secondary level

aflickinger@merit.academy

MR. LUNDT

scientia sit potentia

Knowledge is Power

UPPER SCHOOL SCIENCE

BS: Science, Avian Science + 120 hrs

CO Licensed: Secondary Science, Biological

32 years experience teaching Science

tlundt@merit.academy

MR. PEKRON

Nil Difficile Volenti

Nothing is difficult for the willing.

UPPER SCHOOL SPANISH

ACTIVITIES/ATHLETICS

BS: PHYSICAL EDUCATION

MA: SPORTS ADMINISTRATION

CO Licensed: K-12 World Languages,

Physical Education

27 years teaching Spanish & PE for 6-12th grades; basketball coach

spekron@merit.academy

MRS. PRIEST

COGITO ERGO SUM

Do All Things With Your Best Effort

UPPER SCHOOL MATH

BS: Elementary Education

CO Licensed: Math 6-8, Read Act

9 years experience: teaching

Middle School Math, PLC, Team Lead,

MTSS Coach/Interventionist

rpriest@merit.academy

Mrs. Viele

UPPER SCHOOL Math

2nd year at Merit, Undergraduate in Engineering, Project Management Certifications. More than 20 years as systems engineer & Project manager for imaging and workflow solutions

bviele@merit.academy

Mr. Dalton

Fortuna Eruditis Favet

Fortune Favors the Prepared Mind

UPPER SCHOOL Science, Academic Advisor

Certified High School Teacher for Chemistry, Physics, Astronomy, & Biology

6 Years Educational Experience

ddalton@merit.academy

12813983_10206119439531319_6589690357996172702_n (1).jpg

Mr. Schaefer

Si Furturum est, mihi agendum est

If it's to be, it's up to me!

School of Logic History

mschaefer@merit.academy

802-Scott-option-google-min-scaled-e1575428502648_edited.jpg

MR. HOLCOMB

Possunt quia posse videntur.

They can because they think they can.

UPPER SCHOOL LATIN (REMOTE)

MA: Latin

Prior Education License: CO & VA

17 years teaching K-12

sholcomb@merit.academy

Mrs. Strole

Questae Rectae omina mutare possunt

Having the right mindset can change everything

Upper School Latin

AAS Degree

11 years educational experience

cstrole@merit.academy

MRS. HALCOMB

HODIE MATERIA FAC

Make Today Matter

UPPER SCHOOL

Foreign Language, Teacher's Aide

3 years educational experience

thalcomb@merit.academy

Ms. Burton

Upper School Animal Range Science

jburton@merit.academy

Ms. Harper

Upper School Choir & Vocal Coach

rharper@merit.academy

Commander Ledlie

UPPER SCHOOL Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Commander

jledlie@merit.academy

Mr. Snelus

Quid sit Optimum ad Bigas

Do what's best for the team

Upper School Woodworking, Welding, Campus Security

msnelus@merit.academy

MRS. PETTY

OMNE AURUM NON FULGET

All that is gold does not glitter

Upper School Teacher's Aide

BS: Electrical Engineering

kpetty@merit.academy

MRS. PETERSON-HIRSCH

virtus, cor meum

Courage, Dear Heart

UPPER SCHOOL Theater

MA: Teaching, Literature & Communications

BA: Media Studies

A.A.S. Music & Visual Communications Technology

37 years educational experience

hpeterson@merit.academy

MRS. KJELDSEN

Docere Musica, Inspirare vitam

Teach music, Inspire Life

UPPER SCHOOL BAND

BA: Music Education

Certified CO Music Educator

Band Director: Public/Private/Charter/Homeschool for 20 years

Private music studio owner & community ensemble director since 1975

tkjeldsen@merit.academy

Mr. Valles

Upper School Karate

kvalles@merit.academy

Mrs. Trotter

Upper School Physical Education

btrotter@merit.academy

Dr. Ayantoye

Gratias Deo Pro His In semita

Thankful to God for those in my path

Upper School American Sign Language, Teacher's Aide

PhD: Special Education & Educational Research

MS: Special Education

BS: Deaf Education

BA: Theology

Sign Language Interpreting Certificate

20 yeas educational experience

cayantoye@merit.academy

Dr. Kaufmann

Yearbook

mkaufmann@merit.academy

STUDENT SUPPORT TEAM

MRS. DALTON

Ego tamen discendi

I am still learning

Upper School SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER

MS: Family Studies

Certified Family Life Educator

CO Licensed: Special Education 5-21, ELA 7-12th , ELL

30 years teaching experience

sdalton@merit.academy

Ms. Jackson

School of Grammar Special Education Teacher

ejackson@merit.academy

Ms. Frye

School of Grammar Special Education Paraprofessional

jfrye@merit.academy

Ms. Aga

Reading Specialist

maga@merit.academy

MRS. RACZKOWSKI

Fruere quod hodie adfert

Enjoy what today brings you.

READING SPECIALIST

MS: Education; Take Flight Certification

CO Licensed Elementary Ed, READ Act

PK Director Certificate

Certified Academic Language Practitioner

17 years teaching PK-6th grade

jraczkowski@merit.academy

MRS. CRAMER

MOTUS FACIT COGNITA

Movement Facilitates Learning

Math & Movement Teacher

BA: Theater Arts

MA: Counseling

Colorado READ Act

Certified Teacher in

Education through Movement

Trained Consultant: Math in Movement

24 years teaching experience K-12

scramer@merit.academy

Mrs. Bakken & Chief

Hodie est Magnus Dies Habere bonum diem

Today is a great day to have a great day

Director of Student Behavior & Discipline

Family Development Credential, Registered Behavior Trainer (RBT) Certification, Mindfulness Master, Certified Cognitive Behavioral Life Coach, Emotional Intelligence Life Coach Certification, Certified Confidence Coach, Registered Emotional Mindset Life Coach, Certified National Alliance on Mental Illness Instructor for NAMI (National Association of Mental Illness)

jbakken@merit.academy