3rd Grade Teachers
Corey Burgesser
Eleven years ago, Corey began his education career teaching third grade at Normandy Elementary in Jefferson County. Like Ben Franklin Academy, Normandy Elementary is a Core Knowledge school with a curriculum that enabled students to grow and reach their individual potential. After six years of teaching at Normandy, Corey had the opportunity to become the first assistant principal of North Star Academy in Douglas County. Corey describes it as a fantastic experience; the ability to work with teachers as well as students, to implement a curriculum at another Core Knowledge school. However, after four years, the classroom began calling Corey back. He looks forward to returning to the classroom.
Corey graduated in 1998 from Metro State with a degree in History. Later, he received his master’s form the University of Phoenix in Elementary Administration.
A Colorado native, Corey is the youngest of eleven, and is engaged to be married. As long as he can remember, Corey has always loved sports (especially football) and has had a strong desire to coach. Teaching is a natural fit for Corey.
Kevin Knudsen
Kevin joins BFA as a second career teacher, having spent the past several years in business. He looks forward to providing the education, leadership, and guidance to assist with each student’s present and future success.
Kevin graduated from Colorado State University and recently earned his master’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix.
Another Colorado native, Kevin lives in Parker with his wonderful wife and daughters, ages 2 and 10 months. Kevin looks forward to the inaugural year at BFA and meeting the rest of the BFA community.
Katie Stolk
Katie began teaching in 2001 after graduating from Missouri State University. In 2004, she received her master’s degree in Elementary Education. For the last three years, Katie has taught at Lone Tree Elementary in Douglas County.
Katie lives in Highlands Ranch with her husband, Mike, and her sweet, high-energy dog, Kaiya. Katie and he husband moved here four years ago from St. Louis, Missouri where they were both raised. They absolutely love Colorado and all it has to offer (though she still reserves the right to cheer for the St. Louis Cardinals). Katie and Mike love to travel and, in the last few years, have visited Belize, Guatemala, Australia and Fiji.
Katie “adores third graders inside and out!” She looks forward to getting to know everyone and looks forward to a very successful and incredible first year.
Katie Murphy
Katie completed her tenth year of teaching this year. She has worked with students in grades three through five for the majority of her career and has been working with third graders for the last two years. Teaching is a passion of Katie’s, and she loves every minute she gets to spend in the classroom.
Katie has a bachelor’s degree in Painting from the University of Missouri Kansas City, and a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Denver. Katie is currently working to complete her second master’s degree in Special Education.
Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Katie moved to Colorado thirteen years ago. She lives with her husband and their three children in Highlands Ranch. Katie spends her free time keeping up with her very active children, but she also loves to spend time knee deep in a great book. Katie and her husband I also enjoy gardening (she works on the flowers, and he grows the giant pumpkins). As a family, they enjoy skiing and taking trips to Wisconsin to visit family.