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Director of Development & Teacher Starting a school has been a goal of mine for as long as I've been interested in education. My own educational background is unique, as I was homeschooled for 11 years before I attended college. During college, I read an article about Summerhill in England, and became fascinated by the world of democratic education. This lead me to pursue an internship at the Albany Free School, where my thoughts on education really began to take shape. Through various other teaching stints in alternative schools, and in a thousand conversations with revolutionary thinkers in education, the seeds that would eventually become Patchwork were planted. Running a school is a way for me to do my life's work because it allows me to advocate for children on a daily basis, while still allowing me to participate in the larger, global conversation about education reform. B.A. Philosophy, Colorado College, 2003 M.A. Educational Psychology, University of Colorado Denver, 2007 Early Childhood Education Teaching License Director Qualification, Colorado Department of Human Services
Director of Operations & Teacher Qualifications: B.S. Computer Science, Stanford University, 2000 M.A. Educational Psychology, University of Colorado Denver, 2007 Early Childhood Education Teaching License Director Qualification, Colorado Department of Human Services
Toddler Director & Teacher My interest in alternative education stems from childhood, when my mother ran a Montessori preschool from our home and encouraged experiential education in the form of travel and practical life. After graduating from high school early, I traveled through Europe where I worked on a Bio-Dynamic farm and discovered Waldorf through the farm families. I enrolled in College the following year at the Evergreen State College where I experienced experiential learning first hand. Being a traveler, I did part of my degree at Portland State University and community college and then returned to Evergreen. By the time I graduated I was confident that the more alternative, holistic approach that Evergreen practiced was the better way to learn. As a mother myself, I became keenly aware of the lack of exceptional early childhood schools throughout the country. Through the years, it became my goal to create a toddler or preschool environment to fill this need; a beautiful and loving environment that will fill children’s hearts with a foundation of love and the desire to learn through healthy, thoughtful relationships with their community and environment. I am thrilled to have found a philosophical partnership with the people of Patchwork. I look forward to working with a community and school that advocates for children and for holistic educational practices.
Sean Allen Teacher I have spent the past six years working with children, the elderly, the medically fragile, and people with developmental disabilities. Prior to coming to Patchwork, I worked for five years at Imagine!, a non-profit that works with children and adults who have developmental disabilities. Before this, I worked at an assisted living facility where I was responsible for over 25 people. I worked for a summer at Thorne Ecological Institute, a wonderful organization based in East Boulder that offers environmental education to children. My school and education experience includes Rocky Mountain School for the Gifted and Creative, as well as Boulder Journey School, a preschool based on the Reggio Emilia approach of learning. I spent two years working as a snowboard instructor at Eldora Mountain Resort, where I focused specifically on working with children. I began working at Patchwork as a volunteer and substitute teacher, and really enjoyed it. I was attracted to Patchwork because of the democratic based education style, and a desire to focus on creating opportunities for children to learn rather than trying to learn for them. In my free time, I enjoy playing chess, hiking, snowboarding, being outside, and spending quality time with friends.
Sally Anderson Teacher Sally Anderson is currently at University of Colorado, also in the INVST program, which strives to create leaders dedicated to social and environmental justice. Originally from Durham, North Carolina, she is a true Duke basketball fan and loves southern food! Sally is currently a senior at CU studying International Affairs with a minor in Gender Studies and Leadership Studies. Through the INVST program and her experiences with Patchwork she has come to firmly believe that education is the pathway to creating a more just world and is dedicated to making quality education accessible to everyone. She has a passion for sustainable agriculture, incorporating gardening into schools and is currently working on building an aquaponics system at Patchwork! Sally is so excited to have the opportunity to work with and learn from all the Patchwork School has to offer.
Michele Craig Leonard (Mitch) Teacher At Colorado State University Michele received her BA in Sociology and Interdisciplinary Certificate in Gerontology. While volunteering at the Senior Center here in Louisville she was asked to also work at the child-care center at the facility. It was there she discovered she had a passion for learning and laughing with children. This also brought her to The Patchwork School were all people regardless of age, are agents for change when they engage critically and compassionately with the world. Michele is working on a Masters Degree in Educational Psychology from CU Denver and has her teaching certifications from The Friends School Teaching Program in Boulder, CO. She takes pleasure in being a lifelong learner and sharing in the discovery and delight of her young students.
Amanda Easton Teacher I have lived in Colorado most of my life. My work with children include being involved in mentor programs for teens, youth groups, CASA advocate, Sunday school programming and teaching and volunteering in many classrooms. I received my B.A. in Behavioral Science from Metropolitan State College. Following that I spent the next eight years at home with my four children (Dalton, Dimitri, Dayne, Denzel). Mawolo and Kebbeh joined our family from Liberia in 2007. I believe that children are a huge blessing. Being around them makes me feel so much younger than I am. We love being outside, playing at parks, going on hikes and picnics, and visiting the library. I love to be with family, good friends, read, bake, dance, road bike and listen to music. I love doing outreach activities in our local community and for African countries. I’m really excited to be a teacher at The Patchwork Elementary School. I feel right “at home” here, and I love being with all of the children, they are truly amazing. I will be completing a Masters Degree in Educational Psychology this year as well. Teaching and mothering are two of the most fulfilling jobs ever!! So I feel it is a privilege to be so fulfilled.
Sarah Goldberg Teacher Sarah is a CU-Boulder student studying Spanish and Portuguese Language and Culture because she believes that cross-cultural learning is extremely important. She is a graduate of the INVST community leadership program at CU- Boulder because she is passionate about making a difference to create a more just and sustainable world. Over the last few years, she has become engaged in various organizations focused on transformative education and programming for youth. She is very passionate about incorporating diverse learning styles into education and brings her experience with environmental education, service learning, youth-driven curriculum and arts based models. She absolutely loves working with kids and is constantly amazed by their unique personalities, gifts and journeys through life!
Teacher & Board of Directors Isaac Graves grew up in The Free School (Albany, NY) and since graduation has worked extensively within the field of democratic and alternative education. He has spoken nationally and internationally on the subjects at conferences, seminars, schools, and universities. Isaac co-founded Harriet Tubman Free School (now Harriet Tubman Democratic High School) and taught there for nearly three years. Isaac is the associate editor of Turning Points: 35 Visionaries in Education Tell Their Own Stories and works for the Alternative Education Resource Organization directing their annual conference and serving as outreach coordinator. He also is a blogger for the Institute for Democratic Education in America (IDEA). Isaac is a lover of baseball, music, the outdoors, traveling, Indian food, hummus, and life in general.
Teacher & Board of Directors Christy Lochary serves as the community liaison in addition to being a teacher at The Patchwork School. Having attended public school as a young person, Christy went on to graduate from University of Colorado with a B.A. in Fine Arts and a minor in Sociology. Her desire to work at The Patchwork School stems from a desire for all children to have the opportunity to find an environment that works for them; an environment that supports their development as self-actualized individuals living in community with others. Christy also serves as administrative assistant for the Alternative Education Resource Organization’s Colorado office, and is a member of the AERO Conference Organizing Committee. In addition she is also involved in a Community Organizing internship with The Institute for Democratic Education in America (IDEA), where she will be connecting community organizations in Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, Kansas and Utah.
Teacher, Administrative Assistant & Board of Directors Haley Sladek graduated from CU-Boulder with her B.A. in cultural anthropology and a double minor in Leadership Studies and Peace and Conflict Studies. She is now attending Goddard College (a low residency program in Vermont) in order to earn her Masters in Community Education. Over the last couple of years she has been active in various organizations that work to amplify teacher & youth voice in the movement towards radically transforming education. In addition to working at the Patchwork School since 2007 (and loving it), she has also been working with Colorado Options in Education, INVST Community Studies and (up)’s heard media. She has experience in grant writing, facilitation, fundraising and nonprofit operations. True to her character, throughout this time, she has not only grown a deeper appreciation of polka dots, but she has also, more seriously, deepened her love of working (and playing) with children in a way that honors each child’s uniqueness and their innate curiosity.
Liza Sparks Teacher I have been lucky enough to have the most amazing teachers in my life, teachers who have nurtured my love of learning and encouraged me to hunger for the pursuit of knowledge. It is partly these teachers and mentors that have inspired me to pursue a career in education. It is important for me to give back to my community and I believe that teaching is one way for me to accomplish this. I grew up in Colorado and have worked with youth in various settings: classroom, non-profit, day camp, and outdoor classroom. I graduated from The Colorado College with my English degree and a concentration in poetry. After spending time as a substitute at The Patchwork School I knew that I had to pursue a career an education. While working at Patchwork, I realized not only that I want to teach, but that I am a teacher. I look forward to seeing the children and have had a joyful experience getting to know them as people I am currently working on my Masters in Elementary Education through Goddard College and completing an internship at Patchwork. I am so excited to join the Patchwork community and to laugh and learn with the youth, parents, community members, and teachers. |
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