What is your education?  

I have a Bachelors of Arts in English from Metropolitan State University of Denver and a Masters of Secondary English Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Colorado, Denver.   

How many years have you been at SMA?  

I have been here 13 years, two of which were in the middle school where I taught 7th grade. The other years, I have been teaching in the Social Studies and English departments in the High School.   

What is your working/teaching experience beyond SMA?   

I was the Director of Program at Colorado Free University; Proofreader and Copy Editor at Holme Roberts and Owen (now Bryan Cave HRO). I also was an ESL teacher in Madrid, Spain; Bogota, Colombia; and Curitiba, Parana, Brazil.  I taught at Notre Dame School in Denver.

What awards have you won?   

I have been awarded some small press poetry prizes over the years, including the Bloomsbury Review.   

What is something about yourself to share with the SMA community that we might not already know?  

I love to dance, sing in the car, and play pool, pinball, and foosball.  

News:                

Events:

• April 21, Grade 4 students will serve as Docents at History Colorado

• April 23, 11:00 - 11:30 AM, Kindergarten Performance, HS Forum

• April 26, 8:10 - 9:10 AM, Assembly, Kindergarten Performance

• May 1, 8:10 AM, May Crowning

• May 2, 3rd Grade Pioneer Day

• May 2, 3:00 - 4:30 PM, Cub Scout Pack Meeting, LS Room 5 

• May 3, 8:10  - 9:10 AM, Assembly, Pioneers

• May 8, 9:00 - 11:30 AM, JK & K Field Day

• May 10, 8:10 - 9:10 AM, Assembly, 2nd Grade Musical "Bugz"

• May 10, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Primary Mother's Day Lunch

• May 10, 6:00 PM, Kids Night Out 

News:

• 6th, 7th and 8th grade students will take the TerraNova standardized tests on the mornings of April 23 and April 24. These tests measure achievement in reading, language and mathematics.  Please encourage your son or daughter to eat a hearty breakfast.  A healthy mid-morning snack will be provided by Academy Parents.  If your child has had educational testing that indicates the need for a testing accommodation, please contact Donna Sullivan at 303.762.8300 x 215 or dsullivan@smanet.org before April 19.   

• SMA 6th grader Alexandra Gray was selected from a field of 5,000 worldwide entrants to compete in the international ballet competition Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP).  Alexandra will be among 350 finalists invited to attend New York City YAGP Finals at Lincoln Center April 12-19.  Congratulations Alexandra! 

• SMA is offering the Get It In Writing Essay Booster Course this summer for 7th & 8th graders.  Please click here for more information and to register.

Events:

• April 23 - 24, TerraNova Testing

• May 9, 11:40 AM - 12:10 PM, May Crowning

• May 10, Olympic Day 

News:    

• Senior Paige Stock has been selected as a semifinalist to advance to the final round of the 2013 U.S. Presidential Scholars competition.  From nearly 3.2 million graduating seniors, approximately 3,900 students across the country were identified as candidates in the program, and only 550 have been selected as semifinalists.  Congratulations Paige!  
   
• Senior Liz Van Dorn was honored by the National Center for Women Information Technology, an organization that develops and amplifies efforts to increase diversity in IT and computing. The Aspirations in Computing award was given to 20 girls across the state for their computing-related achievements and interests. Awardees were selected for their computing and IT aptitude, leadership ability, academic history, and plans for post-secondary education.  Congratulations Liz!  

• Sophomore Kennede Reese has been nominated for the Arapahoe County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Award Program. This program honors young people who have shown initiative and commitment in overcoming adversity.  Kennede will be honored on April 29 at a reception hosted by the Board of County Commissioners and Elected Officials. Congratulations Kennede!   

• The SMA Model UN team had a meet last Saturday hosted and sponsored by the University of Denver.  Juniors Chase Morris, Arpi Bocchieriyan, and Sara Van Velkinburgh all received honorable mentions.

• The HS Environmental Club will be starting a composting trial run within the teacher's lounge with the hope and possibility of expansion to the rest of the school. The club members will be emptying the compost bin daily and will have a worm bin decomposing the food scraps in Mrs. Watel's classroom. 

• This summer SMA is offering the Get It In Writing Essay Booster Course to all 9th through 12th graders.  Please click here for more information and to register.

Events:

• April 18 - 20, 6:30 PM, HS Musical Snoopy, Forum

• April 20, 1:30 PM, HS Musical Snoopy, Forum  

• April 24, Ring Ceremony, Field Day & Run for Hunger

• April 25, Senior Retreat Day

• May 2, 9:55 Am, May Crowning

• May 3, 9:30 AM, Senior Award Ceremony

• May 3, 8:00 PM, Last Dance

• Last Thursday we had a wonderful time celebrating all our newly enrolled families with a New Parent Welcome Party. Our gratitude goes out to all who shared in the festivities and made the night a success.