Salida School District Staff Profiles

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Salida School District Staff Profile:   Herman Lapp   is the seventh grade Math teacher at Salida Middle School.  He can be reached at    or 719-530-5338

Summarize your educational background including the colleges and programs you have attended.
 Eastern Mennonite College, Harrisonburg, VA. BS in liberal arts and education certification with minors in history and coaching.

 What advanced degrees do you hold? What special training or certificates do you have?
 Secondary Math endorsement and elementary endorsement for the state of Colorado

 Please describe any unique life experience you have had, such as working overseas.
 I lived and worked on Indian reservations for 11 years.  I grew up in Pennsylvania surrounded by Amish (my parents left the Amish soon after my oldest brother was born). I also worked for 5 years as a mason and have traveled to 48 states and 13 countries.

 Summarize any activities you sponsor or participate in within or outside of school.
 I coach 8th grade basketball. I play stand-up bass in a 4 piece folk/hillbilly band. I'm a raft guide in the summer. I prefer anything outdoors to being inside.

 What is the best part of being in education and working with Salida School District?
 I love a good challenge. Teaching middle school provides plenty of that. Salida is a wonderful place to work. I have the greatest team (7th grade) to work with.

 What message might you want to share with community members and parents?
 I'm honored to be working here and look forward to becoming part of the community.

  

Salida School District Staff Profile:  Maria Wilcox is a teacher at Salida High School.  She can be reached at or 719-530-5485

Summarize your educational background including the colleges and programs you have attended.
I graduated from the University of Northern Colorado (Go Bears!) in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in Special Education. My degree is focused on general special education, so I am certified to teach any type of Special Education, grades K-12.

What advanced degrees do you hold? What special training or certificates do you have?
I have 1/2 a master's degree! I started coursework at Adam's State in Counselor Education but wasn't totally convinced that's what I wanted to pursue...still searching for that "perfect fit!"

Please describe any unique life experience you have had, such as working overseas.
I worked at the Colorado Outdoor Education Center for 4 summers before moving to Salida. I was a Wrangler and got to play with pretty ponies all day long! I also climbed 14ers, made 1,000,000 S'Mores, and can improvise silly skits on command. Last Summer I had the grand privilege on attending a National Endowment for the Humanities Institute at the University of North Carolina - Asheville. I spent three weeks learning about Appalachian culture. I also got to visit my future home, the Biltmore Estate!

Summarize any activities you sponsor or participate in within or outside of school.
I coach girls' tennis in the Spring at Salida High School. I also co-advise the J. Kyle Braid Leadership Club. I also moonlight as a Monarch Mountain employee as a group sales ambassador (I just gave myself that title...)

What is the best part of being in education and working with Salida School District?
The kids are absolutely, hands-down the best part of being in education. Being completely present in the moment of learning is truly an enlightening experience. Watching that light bulb click and things fall into place is one of the best feelings ever! I also love seeing a kid use something I know I've taught them - no matter how small. Our district is FANTASTIC to work for. The people, from support staff, teachers, principals, to our superintendent. One could not find a more supportive, nurturing, group of people. I am inspired by those I work with each day, both personally and professionally.

What message might you want to share with community members and parents?
We are so fortunate to live, work, and play in a beautiful and supportive community. Share everything that Salida has to offer with your family. A sense of pride in where they are from will go a long way! Also, please get involved with your child's education. Call their teachers, ask your kids questions, anything! It is a small gesture that makes all the difference!

Other comments:
Go Spartans!  Oh and my photo is of me sitting in Johnny Cash's rocking chair at the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Virginia. I was hoping it would increase my musical ability...the verdict is still out on that...

 

 

Salida School District Staff Profile:  Julie Drake is the Occupational Therapist for Salida School District.  She can be reached at   or 719-530-5282

 Summarize your educational background including the colleges and programs you have attended.
 BS in Occupational therapy from CSU  in 1992, MS in Health services admin from Regis in 2006.

 What advanced degrees do you hold? What special training or certificates do you have?
 Special training in upper extremity injuries, autism spectrum disorders, worksite injury prevention, healthcare navigation, developmental motor skills

 Please describe any unique life experience you have had, such as working overseas.
 I grew up on a sheep and cattle ranch near Yampa, Colorado. My goal is to be in production agriculture again someday! I worked for 6+ years seeing and treating patients with hand, wrist shoulder injuries in hospitals prior to my school employment!

 Summarize any activities you sponsor or participate in within or outside of school.
 I also work part time for the Chaffee County Oral Health program whose main goal is to help all county citizens learn how to care for their teeth and understand the importance to their overall health. I am an advocate of getting youth involved in 4-H. This is a fabulous enrichment program where the sky is the limit for learning and positive self esteem!

 What is the best part of being in education and working with Salida School District?
 Most people don't realize how hard it is to be a classroom teacher. I see every day how hard they work!

 What message might you want to share with community members and parents?
 Education and healthy habits are the most important gifts you can give to your children to insure their lifelong success! Teachers can't do it alone, it take hard work from parents also!

 

 

 Salida School District Staff Profile: Christi Delaney is a Science teacher at Salida High School.  She can be reached at   or 719-530-5442

Summarize your educational background including the colleges and programs you have attended.
Texas A&M Corpus Christi - MS Education UW , Seattle, WA- BS Zoology US Navy- 5 years EMT & multi clinical medicine background as a hospital corpsman

 What advanced degrees do you hold? What special training or certificates do you have?
 MS in Education,  Former EMT, and CPR instructor

 Please describe any unique life experience you have had, such as working overseas.
 While I was serving in the Navy I was stationed in Rota, Spain for 2 years. I worked and was able to travel all over Western Europe during that time.

 Summarize any activities you sponsor or participate in within or outside of school.
 Key Club advisor, Prayer Club advisor (student formed & informal), AWANA church group secretary, Women's bible study instructor, and Book club member

 What is the best part of being in education and working with Salida School District?
 The students! I get to share my passion of the study of life with amazing kids and get to know them & hopefully encourage & engage them with all my cool knowledge!

 What message might you want to share with community members and parents?
 Teachers love our jobs and we love your kids. We are on your team & want the best for our community!

 

 

 Salida School District Staff Profile: Lori Lee is a teacher at the Salida Early Childhood Center
She can be reached at  or 719-530-5354

Summarize your educational background including the colleges and programs you have attended.
I graduated High School in Buena Vista and recieved my Associates from CMC. I have worked at the
early childhood center since 1995 and have recieved lots of training here.

What advanced degrees do you hold? What special training or certificates do you have?
DECA, Creative curriculum-gold

Please describe any unique life experience you have had, such as working overseas.
Unfortunately, I have lived and worked only in Chaffee County, but have never skied or rode the
Arkansas!!

Summarize any activities you sponsor or participate in within or outside of school.
I am a firm believer in the mentgoring programs and all that Family and Youth Initiatives works
for. I mentor a high school young person and think it is wonderful.

What is the best part of being in education and working with Salida School District?
The people I work with at the preschool.  My co-workers are exceptional people who help make the children and their families feel important!!

What message might you want to share with community members and parents?
It takes a village to raise a child. We all need to work together in order to provide the best learning environments for the children.

 

 

Salida School District Staff Profile: Kevin Thonhoff   directs the Salida High School Auto Shop vocational program.  He can be reached at , or 719-530-5425

Summarize your educational background including the colleges and programs you have attended.
Graduate of Universal Technical Institute
.
What advanced degrees do you hold? What special training or certificates do you have?
Numerous General Motors certifications and training. ASE Master Technician.

Please describe any unique life experience you have had, such as working overseas.
I'll pass on this one for now.

Summarize any activities you sponsor or participate in within or outside of school.
Ford/AAA competition. Sustainability program. Automotive Co-op program.

What is the best part of being in education and working with Salida School District?
The students, faculty, staff and community. The sheer value of that combination.

What message might you want to share with community members and parents?
Grattitude and thanks for your efforts. It's paying off.

 

Salida School District Staff Profile: Stacy Follet, Speech and Language Pathology, can be reached at  or 719-530-5282

Summarize your educational background including the colleges and programs you have attended.
All of my elementary education took place in Littleton, Colorado.  I graduated from CSU with a bachelors in science in communication disorders and a minor in human development.

What advanced degrees do you hold? What special training or certificates do you have?
I have a masters in science in speech and language pathology from the University of Wisconsinn - Madison.

Please describe any unique life experience you have had, such as working overseas.

Summarize any activities you sponsor or participate in within or outside of school.

What is the best part of being in education and working with Salida School District?
I have had the opportunity to work in all of the grades and buildings. We have an exceptional
staff pre-k - 12th grade.

What message might you want to share with community members and parents?

 

Salida School District Staff Profile: Janine Frazee  Salida High School Visual Arts can be reached at  jfrazee@salida.k12.co.us  or 719-530-5429

Summarize your educational background including the colleges and programs you have attended.
I have a BA in Art Education from the University of Northern Colorado.  I am also a Colorado Art Education Association member.

What advanced degrees do you hold? What special training or certificates do you have?
I have had special traning in ceramics, printmaking, painting, sculpture, and drawing.

Please describe any unique life experience you have had, such as working overseas.
I worked and lived in Jakarta, Indonesia as an art eductor for North Jakarta International School for two years. While living there I took numerous classes with an internationally known batik artist
Nyoman Suradnya. 

Summarize any activities you sponsor or participate in within or outside of school.
I am the sponsor for the Art Club at the high school. I am also a sponsor for the new Sustainability
Program and Green Team for both the high school and the district. I am also a professional artist.

What is the best part of being in education and working with Salida School District?
For me the best part of being an art educator is being able to share my passion for art with my
students. It's fulfilling to watch students grow creatively and artistically.

What message might you want to share with community members and parents?
I love what I do! I am in my passion which equals art and kids and everyday I look forward to
coming to work because of this.

 

Salida School District Staff Profile: Shelly Trojanovich  can be reached at  or 719-530-5359.  She works at the Early Childhood Center

Summarize your educational background including the colleges and programs you have attended.
I have a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from theUniversity of Colorado, Colorado Springs.  I
was in the honor's program there and worked on two seperate programs. One focuse on encouraging and retaining minority

What advanced degrees do you hold? What special training or certificates do you have?
I am a trainer for Deveroux Early Childhood Assessment. I will renew my CLASS obervation
certification next month (February 2012). I probably do some other special things that I haven't
listed.

Please describe any unique life experience you have had, such as working overseas.
I grew up here, moved away to get my degree and then came back. I have two children that are 12 1/2
years apart.

Summarize any activities you sponsor or participate in within or outside of school.
I participate in the district's Wellness Committee, sometimes I line judge for volleyball games.
I co-teach Nurturing Parenting Program classes with FYI.

What is the best part of being in education and working with Salida School District?
I love my job for many reasons. I love the schedule of working during the same time my child is
in school. I love that our program is ALWAYS in a state of self reflection and improvement.
I love that I feel like what we

What message might you want to share with community members and parents?
Salida School District is an amazing group of highly dedicated  and capable people who truly
believe in our community and want the best for the children and families they work to serve. Our
district may not be perfect but we