Carbon Valley Academy Faculty and Staff
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Tony Carey—Executive Director
 "Mr. Tony" was a founding Board member and is our school's current Executive Director. Originally from England, Mr. Tony was transferred to the United States in 1978 by Swiss multinational AGIE s.a. He brings more than 30 years of business and managerial experience to our school.
The Careys are long term residents of Frederick where Mr. Tony also sits on the Town Council. Along with 5th grader Nick, the Carey family likes to travel, and are long time Rockies fans.
Dr. Rachel Murphy—Elementary Principal
 Dr. Murphy comes to to CVA with an extensive and varied background in the field of education. She began her career teaching Special Education within the Denver Public School System and then moved to the Aurora Public Schools to teach second grade. Over the years, Dr. Murphy has taught Special Education, Second grade, Fourth grade, and High School English. Dr. Murphy has over 12 years of classroom experience.
For the past two years, Dr. Murphy has worked as the principal of a Core Knowledge charter school here in Colorado. Dr. Murphy is a member of the Oxford Round Table and has lectured at Oxford University. She is a member of Alpha Sigma Nu honor society and is an adjunct faculty at Regis University in the Teacher Education Department.
Dr. Murphy has a Bachelors Degree from Oklahoma City University and two Master’s Degrees; one from Regis University in Education and one from the University of Phoenix in Administration. Dr. Murphy received her Ph.D. in Education from Capella University in Minnesota.
Dr. Murphy has a large family. She has 7 (yes 7) children. Dr. Murphy adopted her youngest 4 children after being a foster parent for several years. She loves spending time with her family and is a huge Rockies fan!
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Brandi Wilson—Business Operations/Human Resources
 Mrs. Wilson worked almost 8 years at the Denver 7UP Bottling Company as an Operations Assistant which included everything from cashier and receptionist to ordering product and Human Resources. She took 6 years off to raise her three children, two of which attend CVA. She loves her job at CVA, (there’s never a dull moment), and has so much respect for the whole staff and faculty, she truly feels blessed to be a part of the CVA family.
Mrs. Wilson, her husband Lee and their kids enjoy going fishing and exploring Colorado during the summer. They’re also big NASCAR, Av’s and Bronco fans.
Stephanie Kajcienski—Student Services
Mrs. Kajcienski is a native of Colorado and attended Metropolitan State College for Marketing. Before coming to Carbon Valley Academy, she spent five years working in Children’s Ministries. Her past experience also includes customer service, office administration, and sales. Mrs. Kajcienski takes care of CVA’s Student Services. She tracks attendance and enrollment, heads up the lunch program, and is our health clerk.
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 Dr. Carol Marsh—Special Education Resource
Dr. Marsh has extensive experience at all levels ranging from preschool to the college in a variety of roles and settings. She has a Ph.D. in Teacher Education/Staff Development from Colorado State University, a Master’s Degree in Special Education and a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science from San Jose State University. She has professional licensure in both elementary education and special education (moderate needs).
After 6 years of teaching elementary math methods at the University of Northern Colorado and coordinating graduate licensure programs, Dr. Marsh is looking forward to returning to the classroom full-time to again teach special education. She has many years of teaching experience, particularly with students with learning disabilities in a resource room setting. Dr. Marsh especially enjoys helping parents and teachers promote math understanding for all students.
Kelly Kurz—Counselor
Mrs. Kurz is excited to be a part of Carbon Valley Academy. She has eleven years experience in Hospice Social Work and was a part of a "pediatric team" that worked primarily with kids and families in Hospice. She was humbled by the kids ability to cope and thrive through difficult situations and was thrilled when the opportunity to work with kids was available at CVA.
Mrs. Kurz is a Colorado native and grew up in Erie. She attended CSU and received a Bachelors degree in Social Work. Mrs. Kurz lives with her husband, a Science Teacher, and two young daughters in her hometown of Erie.
Stacy Judson—Instructional Data Specialist
Mrs. Judson previously served as a paraprofessional at
Rocky Mountain Christian Academy. She was very
enthusiastic about being on board with CVA when we
opened, beginning our first year as an Instructional
Assistant, helping with administrative needs and
coordinating the NWEA MAP testing. In 2006/2007, Mrs.
Judson took over the position she currently holds,
coordinating the logistics of CSAP and NWEA MAP
assessments. She also works with teachers and
instructional assistants on using data to inform
instructional practice.
Mrs. Judson and husband Mike reside in Frederick and
stay very busy with their six children, three of whom
attend CVA. One attends Frederick High School, and the“baby” will begin kindergarten at CVA in the fall of
2008. Their oldest is married and has made Mrs. Judson
a very happy grandma of two. Is there time for
anything else?
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 Kathleen Stephen—Kindergarten
Mrs. Stephen has served as the kindergarten teacher for Meritor Jr. Academy in Westminster for the last three years. Kathleen brings extensive experience from the business world as she served two Denver based corporations as a unit supervisor and office supervisor. Mrs. Stephen is a very positive teacher to get our kindergartners off to a great start.
 Adrienne Clay—All Day Kindergarten Teacher
Mrs. Clay comes to Carbon Valley Academy from North Carolina, where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Mrs. Clay taught 1st grade in the North Carolina school system for one year and, having served as a teacher’s aide for Mrs. Stephens this past semester, is excited to continue her passion for the classroom in the state of Colorado as a kindergarten teacher at Carbon Valley Academy. She currently lives in Longmont with her husband, Andrew.
Hannah Place—First Grade
Miss Place is originally from Indiana where she studied at Ball State University and earned her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. She had the wonderful opportunity to study and teach abroad in England during her time in college. She moved to Denver in May of 2005 and now lives downtown with her dog Sammy.
Last year, Miss Place worked at Crown Pointe Academy in Westminster as the third grade assistant and sixth grade math teacher. This opportunity was a great stepping stone into her first year of teaching. This year is Miss Place's first year teaching and at Carbon Valley Academy. She is very passionate about teaching and CVA and loves first grade.
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 Rosiemarie Rullo—First Grade
Mrs. Rullo was born and raised in Colorado. She graduated from Colorado State University with a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration in Early Childhood Education. After obtaining her teaching license, Mrs. Rullo substitute taught for a year in the Poudre and Thompson School Districts.
Cate Schoenherr—First Grade
 Mrs. Schoenherr has been in the education business since she was 18. She got her start in a child care center working as a teacher's aide. She then began to climb in positions and was completing college courses as she went. She graduated from Metropolitan State College of Denver and her preschool experience led to an opportunity to work in a charter school. She fell in love with the Core Knowledge curriculum and continues to be impressed with the high level of enthusiasm children express when learning. She has been working in charter schools ever since and is glad to be part of CVA's team. She is a Colorado native and loves the outdoors. She is happily married and has two wonderful sons who are attending CVA.
 Anna Boatman—Second Grade
Mrs. Boatman holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Colorado State University, as well as a Master's degree in Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix. The 2008 - 2009 school year will be her third year of teaching second grade at CVA. Mrs. Boatman also helps coordinate Student Council, as she enjoys getting to know students of all different ages. She thoroughly enjoys teaching at CVA, and she is a tremendous asset to the school.
Mrs. Boatman lives in the community along with her husband, daughter, dog, and two cats.
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 Sheila Romero-Bisgard—Second Grade
Mrs. Romero-Bisgard lives in the community with her husband and son who also attends Carbon Valley Academy. They have a pet pig, four chickens, two dogs and two cats.
She has taught Core Knowledge at Lafayette Elementary School for 10 years before coming to CVA. She has enjoyed being at Carbon Valley Academy and watch it develop since it opened. She is a member of the Academic Lead Team and the Accountability Committee at CVA. She is the "Junior Achievement" Coordinator and a mentor for teachers in the induction program within our school.
Mrs. Romero-Bisgard has a Bachelor's of Arts degree with a major in Behavioral Science and minor in Early Childhood Education. She also has a Master of Arts degree in Education from Regis University. She is certified to teach English as a Second Language and a trainer for Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol. Mrs. Romero-Bisgard brings vital experience as well as passion and enthusiasm to CVA.
Cindy Biggs—Third Grade
 Mrs. Cindy Biggs is excited to share her love of teaching and dedication to students with Carbon Valley Academy. Mrs. Biggs holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of Kentucky and a Master of Arts in Elementary Education from Eastern Kentucky University.
Since 1996, Mrs. Biggs has enjoyed serving as a classroom teacher. She has taught various grade levels in both public and private schools, including six years with Saint Camillus Academy in Corbin, Kentucky. Most recently, Mrs. Biggs served as a 2nd and 3rd grade reading specialist at Mesa Elementary in Westminster, Colorado.
Mrs. Biggs moved to Colorado with her husband, Dana, and two children, Andrew and Sara, when Dana was hired as Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Colorado in Boulder.
Sandi McPeek—Third Grade
 Learning has always been a passion for Mrs. McPeek, and she is dedicated to sharing that excitement with her students. From fostering an atmosphere that promotes respect to utilizing diverse strategies to address student needs, Mrs. McPeek ensures all her students are supported and guided to success.
Mrs. McPeek grew up in Illinois and received a B.A. in English with a minor in Psychology from Columbia College. She then moved near San Diego and began a career in marketing for a computer company. Although she enjoyed the challenges of the business world, she realized that she really wanted a career that involved helping people. Mrs. McPeek decided to go back to school at California State University to obtain her teaching certification. After completing the program, she and her husband, Shawn, moved to Longmont.
For several years, Mrs. McPeek taught as a third grade teacher at Pinnacle Charter School in Federal Heights, and she is excited to bring her experience and love of learning to the students at CVA.
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Ed McCray—Third Grade
Mr. McCray is the lucky soul who will be taking over the new 3rd grade position at Carbon Valley. He and his wife moved to Colorado almost five years ago for her to take her dream job at CU Boulder. Mr. McCray then took the occasion to return to school and get his teacher's license (to go along with his Bachelors in English Literature from the University of Washington), and has been exploring St. Vrain as a substitute teacher since February '07, with the last four months of this past school year teaching 3rd grade at Legacy Elementary. Before that he worked (and spent many years coaching basketball and baseball) with children in a unique out of school setting for the better part of 12 years in Seattle.
Mr. McCray is grateful that his journey has led him to this extraordinary learning community at Carbon Valley, of which he is honored to be a part of, and is thrilled for the opportunity to get to work in creating a dedicated and passionate classroom community that is alive with a zest for knowledge, thinking and life. Third grade is the bridge between the primary and intermediate grades and is especially full of much social, emotional and academic growth; Mr. McCray's hopes are that when your children look back it will have been a wonderful time in their journey as a student.
Besides working with children, Mr. McCray's passions include writing (children's stories and poetry), painting, and digging around in their yard. He has a tremendous weakness for dark chocolate which he tries to balance with much running and hiking. He and his wife are in the process of adopting a baby girl from Guatemala—they are hoping to travel in the next few weeks to bring her home (she will be their first and probably only).
Mr. McCray is excited for the adventure ahead and looks forward to getting to know you all as the school year unfolds.
 Peggy Downs—Fourth Grade
Ms. Downs brings a vast amount of experience in charter schools. She has served on the inaugural staff of Peak to Peak Charter and taught at The Pinnacle charter school in Federal Heights. She is a Core Knowledge expert, has mentored and trained teachers, and developed such extra curricular activities as poetry readings for her classes. Ms. Downs is a dynamic classroom leader who works effectively to incorporate parents into the classroom.
Kari Demeter—Fourth Grade
Miss Demeter graduated from Huntington University in Indiana with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. She has taught fifth through eighth graders at a Denver school for students with learning disabilities and ADD. She has taught fourth grade at the Denver Arts & Technology Academy. Last year at CVA she taught Special Education for one-half of the year, and 2nd grade while Mrs. Myers was on maternity leave. This year she teaches 4th grade and has her own classroom. This is her second year at CVA and she resides in Westminster.
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Jennifer Cardenas—Fifth Grade
 Mrs. Cardenas grew up in Phoenix, Arizona and moved to Colorado in 1999. She graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education with a Spanish concentration. Her 5th grade teacher inspired her to become a teacher (in fact, they still keep in touch). Mrs. Cardenas believes in challenging her students to reach their full potential. She has written units for the Core Knowledge Foundation and is a member of the Academic Lead Team. She loves working at CVA and being able to touch the lives of students living in her community. She and her husband Wes live in Firestone with their daughter Brooklynn and two bloodhounds, Gimli and Chloe.
Jamie Kraayenbrink—Fifth Grade
Mrs. Kraayenbrink graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with an Elementary Education degree. She has a passion for teaching and strives to become the most effective teacher she can be. Mrs. Kraayenbrink knows that her students need a safe and comfortable environment to be able to learn. She achieves this through mutual respect with her students and an inviting classroom atmosphere. Mrs. Kraayenbrink is currently pursuing her Master's degree in Elementary Reading and Writing from Walden University. She lives with her husband, Tony, in Longmont.
 Kim Milbrath—Literacy Teacher
Mrs. Milbrath graduated from Minot State University, North Dakota with my BS in Elementary Education, and a minor in SPED and reading. The 2007/2008 school year will be her 7th year of teaching. She has taught
kindergarten for one year and fourth grade for six years. Throughout her teaching career, she has taken several continuing education classes.
In April, she will begin her MS in Elementary Education with an emphasis in reading and literacy.
Kim currently lives in Longmont with her husband Chris and their two children Jordyn and Landon.
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 Charles O’Connor—Music
Mr. O’Connor was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. There were seven children in his family. At a very early age Mr. O'Connor dreamed of becoming a teacher. As a boy he studied cello with the first chair cellist of the Chicago Symphony and later became a member of their youth symphony. He also studied conducting with several renowned symphony conductors. While in high school his parents died. He put himself through college. Mr. O'Connor earned an Associate’s Degree from Chicago City College, a Bachelor’s Degree from Loyola University, and later this year he will be earning his Masters Degree from Regis University.
This is his 19th year of teaching. Mrs. O”Connor is a registered nurse from Ireland. The O’Connors have been married for 16 years. They have a 13 year old daughter who is a ballerina and a pianist. Mr. O'Connor loves hiking with his family. He has climber the 50 highest peaks in Colorado. He also loves to read classic literature and play chess.
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 Alicia Thompson—Art
 Connie Rabe—Elementary Spanish
Mrs. Rabe graduated from Marian College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary/Middle Education, with a minor in Elementary Spanish. She earned her Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on English Language Learning from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. She also studied at the Forester Institute in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Before coming to Carbon Valley Academy, Mrs. Rabe taught middle school Spanish and ELL classes for 9 years in Wisconsin. She also developed and taught graduate level classes for educators through Marian College and taught Spanish to adult learners at Moraine Park Technical College. She chaperoned several high school trips to Mexico, Costa Rica, and Germany. In addition, Mrs. Rabe coordinated Power of Positive Schools and Foreign Language Food and Fun Fest annually at the middle school where she worked.
Mrs. Rabe and her husband moved to Frederick in January, 2006, for her husband’s employment. They almost immediately welcomed their beautiful new daughter, Anna, to their family within a month of moving to Colorado. Connie is happy to be a part-time stay-at-home mom and to still be able to work part-time in a profession that she loves. She enjoys being an enthusiastic and creative professional.
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