AcademyACL Staff
Mrs. Myers has a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Gifted Education. Her coursework focused on the teacher training process for gifted education, and she has been the editor of The Gifted Gallery, a free monthly/bi-monthly e-newletter for the staff, students, and families, since January 2007. She has taught hundreds of children in grades preK-5, coached middle school girls' volleyball, been the director of a local children's volunteer and performance program, worked for two years as a social studies curriculum specialist who supported and evaluated other teachers, and periodically filled in as a lead teacher for various grade level teams. As a parent, family member, and teacher of many gifted people, she appreciates the unique local niche that AcademyACL fills. She functioned as the curriculum and school design specialist for the AcademyACL charter application, and is delighted to have the opportunity to work with AcademyACL students, teachers, and families to meet this unique vision and mission.
Ms. Sigrid has a wide range of business experience that includes Sales Manager of a sales team with a record of 2.1 million dollars, Office and Public Relations Manager for a local land trust, and Director of Admissions for a small private school specializing in gifted education. An avid cyclist, marathon runner, and environmentalist, Ms. Sigrid is also a Master Gardener and gourmet vegetarian cook who likes to share ideas with others. She brings not only experience to AcademyACL in this position, but additional expertise in working with gifted educational staff and families. Families who know her often say that she is a major drawing force for them, and she is well-known for her commitment to excellence, integrity, and the needs of children.
Bio coming soon!
Bio coming soon!
Bio coming soon!
AcademyACL Faculty
Ms. Horn is a retired US Air Force geo-nuclear specialist with an additional Bachelor’s degree in education and a thirst for cutting edge scientific technology and research as well as a deep dedication to this great country we call home. Her military career took her to every corner of this Earth and opened her eyes to cultures, religions and philosophies far and wide, and since retiring from the military she has completed a degree in education in order to teach K-12 students as a second career. Her passion is minimizing our carbon footprint and making every place we leave behind better than we left it. As a parent, a teacher of hundreds of former students, and a gifted learner herself, she needs to know why is the sky blue, why light bends through raindrops, why her eyes perceive it that way...why, why, why? She loves learning and growing the desire to learn in others. Ms. Horn brings that drive for learning to AcademyACL and seeks to inspire her students to become lifelong learners who constantly ask "why?" no matter what his/her field of interest.
Bio coming soon!
Lead Teacher for Divisions III-V
Dr. Olitsky has a Bachelor’s degree in history from Wesleyan University and a doctorate in education and sociology from the University of Pennsylvania with a science education focus. Through her experiences as an educator, researcher, and identified gifted learner, she has substantial knowledge of many of the challenges that gifted learners encounter, and at AcademyACL, she seeks to create an engaging, challenging and supportive classroom environment. As a researcher, she has investigated how teachers can be more effective at providing talented learners with opportunities to pursue their goals and bring their unique contributions into the classroom setting. She has also conducted research focused on increasing student-centered educational practices. She has published articles in the Journal of Research in Science Teaching, Science Education, and Cultural Studies in Science Education. She has a particular interest in environmental education and hands-on, experiential learning, and has developed programs for museums, environmental education centers and schools. As a parent of two children, she enjoys taking her kids on camping and hiking trips and working with them to generate questions about the world, and in her spare time, she plays banjo and sings traditional ballads with her husband, who plays guitar. She looks forward to working with the students at AcademyACL in developing their abilities to express themselves, to pursue their intellectual interests, and to achieve their own goals.
Classroom Teacher, English Language Learner Specialist
Ms. Olsen was drawn to teaching children with unique learning needs shortly after graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in French Literature and a minor in geography. As a Kindergarten teacher in a French Immersion magnet school in Maryland she learned that children are capable of achieving so much more than what is traditionally asked of them. She continued to grow as a teacher working with a broad range of learners in a Minneapolis Native American magnet school focusing on Ojibwa and Sioux culture and languages, before refining her skills differentiating instruction as a first grade teacher in northern California. Ms. Olsen’s desire to help all children thrive and become confident life-long learners lead her to complete a Masters degree in the Graduate Reading Program at UCCS. For the past several years she has been tutoring students, volunteering in her son’s school, and presenting literacy workshops to teen parents and daycare providers. Upon reading the plans for Academy ACL, Ms. Olsen was ecstatic and cannot wait to be part of a team that truly understands what it means to meet children's needs, whether they are advanced, 'typical', or have areas of struggle. A former competitive cyclist, Ms. Olsen balances work with any endeavor that presents a physical and mental challenge such as landscaping in an alpine desert, yoga and still the occasional bike race.
Classroom Teacher, Response to Intervention Coordinator
Ms. Brown has a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialty in English literature and hands-on learning techniques. She is thrilled to be a part of such an extraordinary group of educators and life-long learners. A fourth-year teacher, she has realized that students get the most out of learning experiences by exploring concepts and problem solving, both independently and with other students. Ms. Brown sees herself as a facilitator and guide in the learning process and she is excited to be able to truly meet the needs of her students by providing many opportunities for project-based explorations. She plans to integrate technology into students' every-day learning and long-term projects to help them find new and exciting ways to express their innate creativity. She is looking forward to working with AcademyACL parents and staff to provide a safe, supportive, and unique learning experience for our students.
Gifted Education Coordinator
Dr. Ricotta has a Bachelor's degree in Math and Science, a Master's degree in Reading, and Ph.D. in Curriculum, Administration, and Supervision. She has experience creating, developing, organizing and implementing a researched-based multiage elementary school. Her areas of proficiency include: differentiated instruction, developmentally appropriate practices, thematic instruction, literacy, mathematics, and brain-based learning. Creating a child-centered learning environment with emphasis on each student's emotional, physical, and academic needs encompass Dr. Ricotta's professional expertise.
Bio coming soon!
Mrs. Fein has a Master’s degree in Education with a specialty in interdisciplinary curriculum, social studies and science. She has taught for over 15 years in private, charter and public schools and was the director of a local charter school for four years. Michelle is committed to creating an environment where children thrive personally, excel academically, love school and are excited to learn about and discover the amazing world around them. Michelle understands that children learn best through hands-on experiences and possess a natural drive to learn. She nurtures this drive through knowing what each student is passionate about and provides opportunities for them to learn from their intrinsic motivation. She sees her responsibility is to encourage children to investigate their ideas using all of their senses and explore the natural connections in the world around them. She believes that when you capture the passion in a child’s heart and mind they will not only learn, they will excel. AACL’s vision, mission and values resonate with her core beliefs as a parent and an educator. Her passion is to create a learning environment where children excel and become leaders in the 21st century.
Bio coming soon!
Miss Reimer has a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology with an emphasis on Assessments and Learning. After graduating from Macalester College in Minnesota, she moved to Japan for three years to work in export logistics at Epson Computers and to teach English to middle and high school students. Upon returning to the US, she received her teaching certificate and continued on to get her Master’s Degree at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Deirdre (Dee) taught for 10 years on the Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Base in Kailua, Hawaii before moving back to Colorado where she taught for three more years in public schools in Colorado Springs. Dee loves to provide her students with a classroom environment where respect, cooperation, and joy are used to create a safe learning environment for academic goal setting and risk taking. She seeks to nurture each student’s unique learning style and to provide support for skill acquisition at each child’s level. She is excited to be on the AcademyACL team and believes in the mission and values of this wonderfully innovative community of learners.
Bio coming soon!
Bio coming soon!
Encore Lead Teacher
Mr. Jesse was born and raised in Hollywood, CA , and is a Juilliard BFA graduate in theatre. While living in New York City and Philadelphia, Wilson began writing his autobiographical solo productions that were produced and performed throughout the east coast. Currently, he is performing a solo show for colleges entitled “Face the City” that deals with the pressures of adolescence, and presented “The Night the Moon Ate My Room!” this spring for very young audiences in support with The Kennedy Center’s Imagination Celebration and Pikes Peak Library District. Mr. Jesse plays the violin and divides his spare time between teaching theatre at The Colorado Springs Conservatory and FutureSelf—an “at risk” arts program for young adults. He is very excited to be working at AcademyACL.
Born in London, England, Mrs. Hellen studied sculpture at the Royal College of Art, graduating with her Masters degree in 1996. In 2004 she was funded by the Arts Council of Great Britain for an international traveling installation and she has completed several public commissions. Her work is multi-media and covers marble and bronze as well as installation-type projects. Last year Hellen designed and co-ordinated the BluePrints Project with 4 – 13 years olds at the Heller Center for the Arts and Humanities at UCCS which became an exhibition at the FAC Modern Gallery – down town Colorado Springs. This Summer Hellen is facilitating the art workshop for young teens at the Green Box Festival in Green Mountain Falls. Over 3 days they will be creating a 12’ x 10’ hanging mobile at the Sallie Bush Community Center building. She is delighted to be a member of the AACL team.
Mrs. Velasco was born in Puerto Rico with parents from the Dominican Republic. She earned a bachelor's degree in Spanish at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and has been teaching for three years. During the first year, she taught Spanish at a local K-6 charter school. The following year, Mrs. Velasco taught middle school Spanish at another local charter school, including Spanish l and ll at the high school level. She is happily married and has a wonderful and precious daughter. In her free time, she enjoys reading baby books, decorating cakes and making jewelry. Mrs. Velasco is very excited about teaching at AcademyACL and being part of a wonderful team.
Bio coming soon!
Bio coming soon!
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