Teachers

Beth Butterfield - Kindergarten

I have been teaching at High Peaks since Fall 2000. I have my Bachlors and Masters Degree from the University of Northern Colorado. Kindergarten is my passion! There is nothing more amazing than watching a child discover that they can read, understand how math is everywhere or that they, themselves can be an author. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband, two kids and two dogs.

Cheryl McCarthy - First Grade

I have been teaching at High Peaks for the past 6 years. I moved to Colorado from New Hampshire in 1997. I graduated from Plymouth State University, in New Hampshire, in 1996 with a degree in Elementary Education specializing in Early Childhood and Special Education. Currently, I’m participating in the Boulder Valley School District’s Collaborative Literacy Intervention Program and I’m also a part of the BVSD Equity Cohort for the 2009-2010 school year. I’m an active member of TESOL Inc. (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages).

Lesa White - First Grade

My teaching career started in Iowa. Since those early years, I have taught in Arizona and Colorado. After twenty years in elementary classrooms, I love being at High Peaks. During my free time (which is very limited during the school year), I love to spend time with my husband, Doug, and dogs, Charlie and Dexter. Reading, hiking, biking, cross-stitching, and gardening also top my list of pleasurable activities. My husband and I enjoy living in the foothills with deer, foxes, raccoons, skunks, and an occasional bear (or mountain lion---yikes!) making appearances. During vacation times, my husband and I love to catch up with family or travel to a beach locale for some snorkeling.

Suzanne Barrette - Second Grade

I have been at High Peaks since 2000 teaching first, second, and third grades. I enjoy outdoor activities, especially running and skiing. I was born in Massachusetts, went to college in Virginia, and have lived in Colorado since 1999. I love to travel and learn about new cultures and their people.

Martha Behnfield - Second Grade

I have taught grades K, 1, 2 at High Peaks since I started teaching here in 2000. Prior to that I taught in Denver Public Schools K-1 for 3 years. My husband and I have 4 children - 3 graduates of CU and one attending CU. I like to spend my leisure time pursuing skiing, gardening, hiking and rafting.

Kimi Riter - Third Grade

This is my fourth year at High Peaks. I've taught 2nd and 3rd grades for the past 11 years in Boulder Valley School District and St. Vrain School District. I love this school and the Core Knowledge curriculum. Most of my time is spent outdoors: running, hiking, cycling, camping, and many snow sports. I always try to do something active every day. I love to travel, read, cook, and do art projects including painting, beading, and pottery. My husband and I have two dogs, an Akita and a Chihuahua, and just moved to Boulder from Denver.

Sara Weatherley - Third Grade

This is my sixth year at High Peaks and my eighth year teaching elementary school. I love the Core Knowledge curriculum because I get to learn just as much as my students! Besides third grade, I have also taught first and second. I grew up in New Jersey and received a bachelor's degree is in geography from Middlebury College in Vermont. Nine years ago I was drawn to the mountains and moved to Colorado to pursue my masters degree in teaching at the University of Colorado. In my free time, my husband and I try to be outdoors as much as possible. I love to bike, telemark ski, hike, play ultimate frisbee and travel whenever I have the chance.

Courtney Cole - Fourth Grade

This is my first year at High Peaks and I have really been enjoying the students and the community! Before coming to High Peaks, I taught second grade at a Core Knowledge school in Federal Heights. I love Core Knowledge because it is fun to both learn and teach! I am originally from Michigan and graduated with a BA in Telecommunications from Michigan State University...Go Spartans! Then, I moved to Colorado in 1994 and began my quest to become a teacher. I received my teaching degree from Regis University in 2002. In my spare time, I love to hang out with my husband, hike, snowshoe, visit family in various parts of the country and train my crazy dog, Morty.

Scott Groach - Fourth Grade

I am proud to say this is my first year at High Peaks and I absolutely love it. I have only been in Boulder for two years since leaving my home town of Reno, Nevada. In my free time I often travel the globe in search of new adventures and have recently returned from South America and Antarctica. When I'm not exploring the unknown, you'll likely find me playing baseball, snowboarding, riding my bicycle or digging in the garden.

Lynne Dolph - Fifth Grade

This is my ninth year teaching at High Peaks and I still find the Core Knowledge curriculum exciting and challenging. When not teaching, I enjoy spending time in the outdoors camping, hiking and skiing. I’m a Colorado native and my daughter is excelling in her fifth year here at High Peaks.

Ann Miller - Fifth Grade

This is my first year at High Peaks Elementary School. I am originally from Nebraska and received my masters in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Denver. I have been teaching for four years in Denver Public Schools, and was in the business world in Portland, Oregon for five years prior to that. My teaching experience has been in the fourth grade, third grade, sixth grade and fifth grade. Being new to Boulder this year, I still can’t believe the view we get to enjoy here everyday! In my spare time, I enjoy being outdoors, traveling, hiking, running, yoga, reading, drawing, and playing with my golden retriever, Bailey.