Staff

John Kiemele, Ed.D., Principal
Dr. Kiemele has proudly served as the principal of Coal Creek Elementary and an administrator in the Boulder Valley School District since 2003.  During his past two decades as an educator, he has been both a special education and regular education teacher, a school administrator, and an adjunct college lecturer at Central Washington University and Northern Arizona University. John is a contributing author to Integrating and Sustaining Habits of Mind, by Drs. Arthur Costa and Bena Kallick, and published by the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development.  He is associated with the Texas-based Habits of Mind Network and offers training to schools interested in adopting the HOM model.

He and his wife, Araceli, enjoy their life with two teenage sons and reside in Longmont.  John also enjoys flyfishing, travel, playing the guitar, and running. 

*Doctoral Studies, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, 2009. Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. Completed dissertation research in the areas of educational equity and the intercultural sensitivity of school principals.

*Master of Education, Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington. School Administration and Teacher Supervision. 1990.   

*Bachelor of Science / Elementary and Special Education,  Montana State University, Billings, Montana. Graduate with Honors. 1983.

Wendy Buffer
BA:  History, Elementary Education, Metro State, Denver 

I began my teaching career here at Coal Creek in the fall of 2006.  My own children are graduates of Coal Creek and other Boulder Valley Schools.  I have lived in Louisville for 25 years and love it here!  My husband and I are the proud owners of a new puppy (Dec. 2009) named Macie!  It is like having a kindee at home full time!  Kindergarten is an amazing time for kids and it is fun coming to work every day!

Rachel Cauley

B.A. Virginia Tech

M.A. George Mason University

Master Teacher Certificate Orff-Schulwerk Association

I am thrilled to be a part of the Coal Creek family! I have been teaching since 1991. For the last four years I have taught elementary music for several schools in Boulder Valley. This year I get to combine my two “loves” and teach Kindergarten in the morning and Music in the afternoon!

My husband and I lived in The Hague, The Netherlands before moving to Colorado in 1998. We have two children and a silly little white dog named Molly. When I am not in school, I like to play my French horn in several orchestras in the Boulder area.

Jean Rachubinski
MA: Regis University, Denver, Colorado
Elementary Certification: University of Colorado, Boulder
BS: Health Education, University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse

I joined the Coal Creek faculty in 1987, after teaching a 1/2 multiage in Cherry Creek School District in Denver. I was born and raised in Wisconsin. I have lived in Boulder since 1983. I am married,  have one son and a dog named Lucky.  I enjoy traveling, biking, reading, running and being outdoors.

Juliette Lepine

Hi, my name is Juliette Lepine and I am thrilled to be teaching 1st grade at Coal Creek.  I started teaching when I was 22 and have taught in two states, three districts and four schools.  I love my job and year after year I say I should write a book of all of the cute things kids say to me, maybe this will be the year.  My husband Kevin and I have been married for 25 years and have three wonderful kids, Andre, 21, Anthony 18 and Maria 15.  We like to ski in the winter and wakeboard in the summer.  Well, let me rephrase that, I barley ski in the winter and don't get wet in the summer. Come by and visit any time!
 

Becky Swanstrom
BA: Psychology, University of Colorado, Boulder 
AA: Casper College of Liberal Arts, Casper, Wyoming

I joined the Coal Creek faculty in 1990 and have taught 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades. Before that I taught 2nd and 3rd grades at Flatirons and Foothill Elementary Schools in Boulder. I have twin boys and a golden retriever.  I enjoy running, hiking, reading and writing.  In the past I competed in a variety of running races and have completed 5 marathons.

Jennifer Gamblin

Judy Walden
BA: Communication Studies, University of California, Los Angeles
Post BA: Teaching Certificate, University of Colorado, Boulder

I began teaching at Coal Creek in the fall of 2007 as a Kindergarten teacher. My husband, two children, and myself enjoy outdoor activities, traveling, and our two dogs, Poppy and Rye. I am thrilled to be teaching at Coal Creek Elementary.

Michele Hibl
MA:  Literacy K-12, University of Colorado, Boulder
BS:  Psychology, University of Colorado, Boulder

I taught in the St Vrain school district for 15 years in a variety positions: classroom teacher, Language Arts Coordinator, Data and Literacy Coach, Special Education teacher, and TAG teacher.   This is my 4th year in BVSD and at Coal Creek.  I taught 5th grade for 3 years and this year I am teaching 2nd grade.

I am a Boulder native!  My husband, Mark, and I have four children.  I love reading, hiking, camping, and spending time with my friends.   

Diana Baumgartner
BA: Developmental Psychology & Communication Studies
MA: Elementary Education

I joined the CC faculty in 2005, after teaching fifth grade grade at Monarch K-8 in 2004, and grades two through five for four years in Florida.  My husband and I have been married since 1986 and have 2 children. As a family, we enjoy hiking, biking, skiing, kayaking, and our Golden, Hobie.

Ellen Berns
BS: Elementary Education, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia

I graduated from Virginia Tech and taught grades 2 - 5 in Virginia from 1979-1984.  Then I taught overseas in Germany on a military base for the Department of Defense Dependent Schools from 1984-1990.  Living overseas allowed me the opportunity to travel throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa and reinforced my love for travel. I have taught at Coal Creek since 1999, first as a literacy teacher and now as a 3rd grade teacher. My husband and I have been married since 1991 and have one son, Zach.  I enjoy biking, hiking, decorating, entertaining, reading, and my golden retriever Bella.

Brenda Montoya:

Cindy Hall
MA: Education Administration, University of Phoenix
BA: Communication, University of Colorado, Boulder 

I began teaching at Coal Creek in the spring of 2002 as a long-term substitute in 4th grade. Along with teaching 4th grade, I have also taught 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade. I grew up in Iowa, but Colorado has been "home" since 1981. My two children who are Coal Creek alumni! I enjoy golfing, reading, social time with friends, and running in my free time.

I began teaching at Coal Creek in 1991 and have taught kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and 4th grades here. I also taught at Eisenhower and Douglass Elementary Schools in BVSD. I was born and raised in Boulder, Colorado. I am married and have a son.

Sue Myers
BA: Spanish, Shippensburg State College, PA
Teacher Certification, University of Colorado, Boulder

Before joining the Coal Creek faculty in fall of 2003, I was a parent volunteer and para educator at Coal Creek since 1992. In 2001, I went back to school at University of Colorado, Boulder to get my Elementary Education Teaching Certificate.

Bud Harris
BA: Elementary Education, University of Southern Colorado, Pueblo
MPA: Public Administration, University of Colorado, Boulder
BA: Sociology, University of Colorado, Pueblo

I taught for two years in Canon City, and then here at Coal Creek since 1984. I've also been a mentor with the Master of Arts in Learning and Teaching Program at Regis University since 1991. I grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. My father owned a restaurant where I learned to cook. I love... my wife, son, stepdaughter, two dogs, sports, and poetry.

I taught a 3rd - 5th grade multiage classroom of students for several years at Lincoln Elementary, located in Mundelein, IL. I was born and raised in Ohio and my husband is also a teacher and coach. I share my home with my cat, Comet.

 Caitlin Thomas

I started teaching at Coal Creek in 1986. During the 1993-94 school year I was an American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) fellow at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

JoLynn Scott, Library Media Specialist
BS: Elementary Education, University of Colorado, Boulder
Reading Master: University of Northern Colorado, Greeley
Media Specialist Endorsement: University of Northern Colorado, Greeley

I have lived in Colorado since 1978. I was a Grade Team Leader in middle school and now after 20 years of middle school teaching, I am delighted to be sharing books with students and teachers in Coal Creek's Library! I am married with two children, a dog, and two rats.  My newest hobby is tap dancing!
Motto - "The more you know, the more you grow...READ!"

Mary Jean Pope, Music Specialist
BA: Music Education, Westminster College, Pennsylvania
Orff-Schulwerk Certification I, II, III: Cleveland State University & Dominican University

I was born in Huntsville, Alabama. I have lived in Alabama, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and has been in Colorado since 1986.

 Rachel Cauley, Music Specialist

Dan Pinkston, Brass & Percussion Music Teacher

Brian Knott, Strings Music Teacher

Erin Hepp, Woodwinds Music Teacher

I joined the Coal Creek faculty in 1996 after teaching at Martin Park Elementary School in Boulder for 23 years. I have also been a member of SWAAAC for 10 years. I love teaching young children to read and have done extensive reading and study on my own to keep current on best practices. I also enjoy doing Sudoku puzzles and spending time with my miniature schnauzer.

Sally Lopez,  Special Education Teacher

M.A. Perceptual Communicative Disabilities and Significant Identifiable   Emotional Disabilities (1988- UNC Greeley)

M.A. Educable Mentally Handicapped (1986- UNC Greeley)

Lisa Bradford, Speech-Language Specialist
BA:  Linguistics, University of Chicago
MA: Communication Disorders and Speech Science, University of Colorado

I have worked in the Boulder Valley schools since 1999, with students at all grade levels. Prior to working in the schools I worked in various health care settings in the Denver area. I live in Louisville with my husband and daughter.

Tammy Garner, Occupational Therapist
BA:Psychobiology, Hastings College, Nebraska
MS: Occupational Therapy, CSU, Fort Collins

1994-1999 - Medically-Based Occupational Therapist (Outpatient Adult Rehabilitation, Long-Term Care, Home Health, & Outpatient Pediatrics)
1999 to Present - Educationally-Based Occupational Therapy (Preschool - High School Assignments)

I currently service students at Coal Creek Elementary, Aspen Creek K-8, and Broomfield   
High School. I have been involved in service delivery at Coal Creek since 2001 and love  
being a member of the staff! I also have been the acting Boulder Valley O.T./P.T Liaison for our entire therapy group for the past four years.

Helen Hedrick, Social Worker
BS: Psychology & Rehabilitation Services, Emporia State University, Kansas
MSW: Social Work, Denver University

I have held my clinical social work license since 1990. I have worked in the public schools since 1986 and also have a private social work practice.

Lynn Montoya, Literacy Teacher
BS: University of Colorado, Boulder

I have been a literacy teacher at Coal Creek since 1999.  I have also taught 5th grade in Littleton, Colorado and Pre-K in Seattle, Washington.  My husband and I have three children who are graduates of Coal Creek.  I enjoy traveling, gardening, hanging out with my family and our dog, Asha and of course, reading!

Erika Avitia, Registrar

Fran Gonis, Paraeducator

 Cathy Levinson, Kindergarten Enrichment Paraeducator

Brandon Patzer, Head Custodian

Jane Thau, Head Cook

MaiAnh Nauyen