Lower Elementary Team
Lower Elementary
Anchor Teacher - Melody McNeill
My name is Melody McNeill and this year I will be serving as lower-elementary Anchor Teacher, supporting the two lead teachers and their students. I was raised in Montezuma County and have been teaching here for seven years. I am passionate about teaching students how to explore the world through literacy and believe that Montessori and project-based methods are wonderful tools to meet this goal.
When not at school, I enjoy spending time outdoors with my family. During the summer, you can almost always find me in my garden with my dogs and husband.
Lead Teacher - Cassie Panther
Lead Teacher - Althea Ellis
I’m from the beautiful, tropical Caribbean Island of Jamaica. I have a bachelor’s in education in the field of Language and Literacy, and a teaching diploma in Reading and Social Studies. I have over thirteen years experience in the classroom, during which time, I’ve taught from Grades two through to six.
My calling is to be a teacher. It brings much joy and satisfaction to see a child learn something new, especially if it’s a child with reading challenges. If I have made a difference in one child’s life, I may have changed the course of an entire generation. My life is a testament of the importance of education; that may have contributed to my passion for teaching. Up until the age of 10, I had reading challenges, but then I met a teacher who positively changed my life, she helped me to burst from my cocoon. That is how I want to help other children realize their potential, overcome their fear for reading and mathematics, build their self-esteem and become the best version of themselves.
I enjoy sporting activities, especially track and field. During elementary school, I competed in track and field events at various competitions. I’ve been a teacher at my current school – Top Jackson Primary and Infant for 13 years. I organize sporting events. I’m also the school’s literacy coordinator. Over the course of my tenure, I’ve taught grades two through to six.
Anchor Teacher - Melody McNeill
My name is Melody McNeill and this year I will be serving as lower-elementary Anchor Teacher, supporting the two lead teachers and their students. I was raised in Montezuma County and have been teaching here for seven years. I am passionate about teaching students how to explore the world through literacy and believe that Montessori and project-based methods are wonderful tools to meet this goal.
When not at school, I enjoy spending time outdoors with my family. During the summer, you can almost always find me in my garden with my dogs and husband.
Lead Teacher - Cassie Panther
Lead Teacher - Althea Ellis
I’m from the beautiful, tropical Caribbean Island of Jamaica. I have a bachelor’s in education in the field of Language and Literacy, and a teaching diploma in Reading and Social Studies. I have over thirteen years experience in the classroom, during which time, I’ve taught from Grades two through to six.
My calling is to be a teacher. It brings much joy and satisfaction to see a child learn something new, especially if it’s a child with reading challenges. If I have made a difference in one child’s life, I may have changed the course of an entire generation. My life is a testament of the importance of education; that may have contributed to my passion for teaching. Up until the age of 10, I had reading challenges, but then I met a teacher who positively changed my life, she helped me to burst from my cocoon. That is how I want to help other children realize their potential, overcome their fear for reading and mathematics, build their self-esteem and become the best version of themselves.
I enjoy sporting activities, especially track and field. During elementary school, I competed in track and field events at various competitions. I’ve been a teacher at my current school – Top Jackson Primary and Infant for 13 years. I organize sporting events. I’m also the school’s literacy coordinator. Over the course of my tenure, I’ve taught grades two through to six.
Upper Elementary Team
Upper Elementary
Anchor Teacher - Kathy Carpenter
My name is Kathy Carpenter, and I have been teaching for five years. I have a bachelor's degree from Western Governors University. I have a love of learning and enjoy engendering that same love in my students. I consider myself a lifelong learner and hope the students in my class will become the same. One of my favorite things about teaching is helping students gain the skills they need to be able to succeed in any path they choose.
I was born in New Orleans, Louisiana but have lived all over the Mountain West and consider Colorado home. My family and I have lived in the Cortez/Dolores area for the last 10 years. When I'm not in the classroom you can find me spending time with my husband and our four children, trying out new gardening techniques, reading (I really like history) or building my knitting skills.
Lead Teacher - Katie Uran
Lead Teacher -
Assistant Teacher -
Anchor Teacher - Kathy Carpenter
My name is Kathy Carpenter, and I have been teaching for five years. I have a bachelor's degree from Western Governors University. I have a love of learning and enjoy engendering that same love in my students. I consider myself a lifelong learner and hope the students in my class will become the same. One of my favorite things about teaching is helping students gain the skills they need to be able to succeed in any path they choose.
I was born in New Orleans, Louisiana but have lived all over the Mountain West and consider Colorado home. My family and I have lived in the Cortez/Dolores area for the last 10 years. When I'm not in the classroom you can find me spending time with my husband and our four children, trying out new gardening techniques, reading (I really like history) or building my knitting skills.
Lead Teacher - Katie Uran
Lead Teacher -
Assistant Teacher -
Middle School TEam
Middle School
Anchor Teacher - Hiedy Whitmer
I have been teaching for the last 15 years. I completed my first year of teaching at Shiprock Alternative School Inc. Fourteen of those years were spent at Mesa and Manaugh Elementary. I enjoy fostering a love of learning and independence in our youth. I am excited to see just how far we can grow this year.
When I’m not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my husband Carlos, and our three kids Kiffany, Sheldon, and Natalie.
Lead Teacher - John Whitehead
I have been working at Children’s Kiva for five years, the last four of which I have spent teaching middle school. The best part of being a teacher is seeing the light in a student’s eyes when they have been struggling to figure something out and everything suddenly clicks.
When not teaching I enjoy playing tabletop games and spending time with my family.
Lead Teacher - Daniel Acosta
My name is Daniel Acosta, I am from Medellin, Colombia, and I am this year's Middle School Language Arts teacher. I have a B.A. in Education Specializing in Humanities, Spanish and English, as well as a Postgraduate Degree in English Teaching. I have been teaching English, Spanish and Literature for over nine years for a Montessori Elementary, Middle School and Pre-teaching service programs. I expect to keep doing a great job guiding our students through the very engaging, exciting and fascinating world of literature, whilst exploring all the diversity language gives us.
I am an outgoing, extroverted person, but also enjoy some "me" time. I love all art expressions; music, movies, television, literature, theater, dancing and any other means to represent our feelings and thoughts with others. My hobbies are reading fiction stories and historical novels, writing, swimming and cooking.
About my teaching strategies and academic approach, to keep my students motivated I like to use active methodologies, so that learners can be protagonists of their own process. Consequently, in my classes I encourage them to do individual, pair work, cooperative work and project work to foster intrapersonal, interpersonal skills, as well as critical thinking, engaging in problem solving and making it possible for them to reflect upon their own knowledge. Additionally, technology is a meaningful tenet in my classes; young learners feel motivated with resources that are appealing to them, as we guide them for these to be used responsibly. Through this we are fostering a digital citizenship in our students, taking them to be socially contextualized and blossom into people who achieve positive transformation.
Anchor Teacher - Hiedy Whitmer
I have been teaching for the last 15 years. I completed my first year of teaching at Shiprock Alternative School Inc. Fourteen of those years were spent at Mesa and Manaugh Elementary. I enjoy fostering a love of learning and independence in our youth. I am excited to see just how far we can grow this year.
When I’m not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my husband Carlos, and our three kids Kiffany, Sheldon, and Natalie.
Lead Teacher - John Whitehead
I have been working at Children’s Kiva for five years, the last four of which I have spent teaching middle school. The best part of being a teacher is seeing the light in a student’s eyes when they have been struggling to figure something out and everything suddenly clicks.
When not teaching I enjoy playing tabletop games and spending time with my family.
Lead Teacher - Daniel Acosta
My name is Daniel Acosta, I am from Medellin, Colombia, and I am this year's Middle School Language Arts teacher. I have a B.A. in Education Specializing in Humanities, Spanish and English, as well as a Postgraduate Degree in English Teaching. I have been teaching English, Spanish and Literature for over nine years for a Montessori Elementary, Middle School and Pre-teaching service programs. I expect to keep doing a great job guiding our students through the very engaging, exciting and fascinating world of literature, whilst exploring all the diversity language gives us.
I am an outgoing, extroverted person, but also enjoy some "me" time. I love all art expressions; music, movies, television, literature, theater, dancing and any other means to represent our feelings and thoughts with others. My hobbies are reading fiction stories and historical novels, writing, swimming and cooking.
About my teaching strategies and academic approach, to keep my students motivated I like to use active methodologies, so that learners can be protagonists of their own process. Consequently, in my classes I encourage them to do individual, pair work, cooperative work and project work to foster intrapersonal, interpersonal skills, as well as critical thinking, engaging in problem solving and making it possible for them to reflect upon their own knowledge. Additionally, technology is a meaningful tenet in my classes; young learners feel motivated with resources that are appealing to them, as we guide them for these to be used responsibly. Through this we are fostering a digital citizenship in our students, taking them to be socially contextualized and blossom into people who achieve positive transformation.
Renaissance Kids Specials: Music
Renaissance Kids Specials
Music Teacher - Brandi Piller
Hello, my name is Brandi, I'm very excited to be joining the Children's Kiva family as a Teacher's Assistant for the Lower Elementary. I have taught for over 23 years. During all of those years I have had the great fortune to be a music teacher for Kindergarten through 5th grade, a classroom teacher for grades 2nd, 3rd and 4th. I've taught for the Gifted and Talented program as well as helped adults get their GED. You could say I've done it all and loved every minute of it!
When I'm not teaching, I love to play with my grand kids, sit on the deck with my husband and enjoy the sunsets, travel around the world and hang out with friends.
Morgan Allsup - Scratch Teacher
I moved to the Southwest from Illinois in 1970. My family and I moved to the Cortez area in 1998 where I have been ever since. I have two daughters, Maeve in San Francisco and Míceal in Portland, and a son Samuel in Boulder.
I began my teaching career in Early Childhood Education (pre-K, K, 1st). The last 15 years of teaching were in technology education. Currently I'm teaching Scratch computer programming, something I have been teaching off and on since retiring in 2007.
I enjoy gardening, hiking, cooking, fiddling, reading, Scratching and producing the KSJD radio show, Síabhran.
David Rainey - Art Teacher
Born in Paris, Texas in a small East Texas town, graduated East Texas State University with a BA in Graphic Design. Worked as a graphic designer in numerous advertising agencies as well as an Art Director with AT&T. I have taught design courses at several community colleges. I got my Master of Arts degree in 2000 from the University of North Texas having majored in Studio Arts and Printmaking.
After vacationing with my wife in the Cortez area for several years, had fallen in love with the area. Since moving here 12 years ago, I've taught kids from 1st-12th grade in all 3 public school districts. I have also taught at Pueblo Community College for 2 years. Now I'm teaching Art at Children's Kiva Montessori Charter School for grades 1-8.
INtervention and Administration
Intervention
ESS - Cassy Whitehead
I grew up in Mancos and went to college at Brigham Young University. I moved back to Mancos and began teaching in Cortez in 2013. I then joined the Kiva in 2014 as a Lower Elementary Teacher Assistant and then became the Lower Elementary Lead Teacher. I currently am the Exceptional Student Services Teacher at Kiva and love my position.
In my free time, I love to read, crochet, cross stitch, hike, and play board games. My animals are my passion and include two dogs, four cats, a ferret, and a bird.
ESS - Rachelle Villamena
My name is Ms. Rachelle Villamena. I am from the Philippines in the Luzon part of Antipolo City. I was born in Quezon Province we speak pure Filipino words. I grew up in Metro Manila, where I finished my Studies from Elementary to College. I have been teaching for eight years in the Philippines and I taught Elementary and Special Education. I also attended seminars and training for Special Education. I am passionate about teaching to motivate, encourage and make learning fun for my students.
During the weekend, I spent my time at home doing household chores and one of my relaxations is to read books, watch movies, and play sports such as badminton. During summer vacation I like to travel and go on an adventure with my friends.
Kerry Scales - ESS Assistant
My name is Kerry Mulligan-Scales. I have worked in schools for 5 years. I am a librarian by trade, and an Assistant Teacher for Upper El this year. I am also the SPARK teacher by profession at Kiva. I love working with kids, they are so funny!
My free time is spent reading , writing, running and hiking. I am thrilled to be a part of the Kiva Community!
ESS - Cassy Whitehead
I grew up in Mancos and went to college at Brigham Young University. I moved back to Mancos and began teaching in Cortez in 2013. I then joined the Kiva in 2014 as a Lower Elementary Teacher Assistant and then became the Lower Elementary Lead Teacher. I currently am the Exceptional Student Services Teacher at Kiva and love my position.
In my free time, I love to read, crochet, cross stitch, hike, and play board games. My animals are my passion and include two dogs, four cats, a ferret, and a bird.
ESS - Rachelle Villamena
My name is Ms. Rachelle Villamena. I am from the Philippines in the Luzon part of Antipolo City. I was born in Quezon Province we speak pure Filipino words. I grew up in Metro Manila, where I finished my Studies from Elementary to College. I have been teaching for eight years in the Philippines and I taught Elementary and Special Education. I also attended seminars and training for Special Education. I am passionate about teaching to motivate, encourage and make learning fun for my students.
During the weekend, I spent my time at home doing household chores and one of my relaxations is to read books, watch movies, and play sports such as badminton. During summer vacation I like to travel and go on an adventure with my friends.
Kerry Scales - ESS Assistant
My name is Kerry Mulligan-Scales. I have worked in schools for 5 years. I am a librarian by trade, and an Assistant Teacher for Upper El this year. I am also the SPARK teacher by profession at Kiva. I love working with kids, they are so funny!
My free time is spent reading , writing, running and hiking. I am thrilled to be a part of the Kiva Community!
Administration
Head of School – Lurleen McCormick
Head of Operations - Robert Rime
Administrative & Operations Assistant - Patty Likes
School Nurse - Sandra Vestal
AR/AP- Natasha Lamm
Head of School – Lurleen McCormick
Head of Operations - Robert Rime
Administrative & Operations Assistant - Patty Likes
School Nurse - Sandra Vestal
AR/AP- Natasha Lamm