Instructional Aides

Diane is excited to join the BFA staff as an afternoon kindergarten instructional aide.  She's spent the past 14 years teaching mostly primary Spanish at Platte River Academy, another Core Knowledge Charter School.  She will continue that role at Platte River, teaching classes in the mornings.  She has had the pleasure of working for and alongside many BFA administrators and teachers:  Bob Barber, Diana Simpson, Susan Klee, Rhonda Walton, and Ali Hinkle.
Diane is originally from Kansas, but has called Colorado home since 1985.  She lives in Highlands Ranch with her husband, Ken.  Her two sons are college students: Eric is a junior at the Colorado School of Mines studying Electrical Engineering and Energy.  Andrew is a freshman at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs studying Business and Music. 
Diane loves working with elementary students.

Tina Dorsch

Tina is excited to be an Instructional Aide at Ben Franklin Academy working with the fantastic Kindergarten team.  She has worked and volunteered for years at Platte River Academy.  Tina worked with Susan Klee at Platte River as her Teacher’s Aide for 3 years, and as a Hot Lunch Supervisor for 4 years.  She loves being with Kindergartners

Tina moved to Colorado in 1995 from Southern California where she was born and raised.  She absolutely loves Colorado and has proven to be an amazing place to raise her family.  Tina and here husband have 3 children that keeps them busy and active.  Her favorite pastimes are reading, walking, boating, watching her 2 boys play sports, shopping with her daughter, and spending time with her family and friends.  Tina feels blessed and is very excited to be a part of Ben Franklin Academy.

Michelle Swierczek

Michelle works in the first grade classroom.  She has a Bachelors of Science degree in Elementary Education from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, where she was also a swimmer for the Huskers.  She grew up in San Diego, California, has been married for 16 years, and has 4 kids.  In her (limited) free time, she enjoys running, hiking, and martial arts.  She feels truly honored to be a part of such an amazing school.  

Janet Harlow

Janet is an Instructional Aide for the 5th and 6th grade teams.  She comes to BFA with a diverse background that has always included children.  She is a single mom, of two.  Both her children are now in high school; a daughter that's a junior, and a son that's a freshman.  Janet is active in the community.  She spent several years as one of the group leaders for AWANA and led the Sparks group (ages 5-7) for many years.  She also taught a basic drawing class for homeschool kids.  One of her favorite activities is keeping score for her son’s baseball teams. 

Janet has lived in Colorado since 2006, after 18 years ears in Texas.  She enjoys drawing with graphite and charcoal, painting with oils, and reading.  She loves watching sports: baseball, football, and basketball, especially when it comes to watching her son or nephews play.  She also works with my daughter on her art or read the pages from her book.

Amy White

Amy is excited to be a part of the BFA first grade team.  For the last few years she has worked with children at the Littleton YMCA.  Prior to this she was an instructional aide and a preschool teacher for a private school.  Amy is originally from California, and now calls Colorado home.  

Dana Tromeur-Nach

Dana is an Instructional Assistant to the third grade team! For the past two years, she has been  employed on a part-time basis for the Douglas County School District as an Educational Assistant.  She has a Bachelor's degree in Art from William Paterson University in New Jersey.

Dana and her family moved to Colorado two years ago from New Jersey and absolutely loves it here!  She loves the scenery, the sunshine, and the people.  Her and her husband have 3 amazing kids, a dog, 2 cats, and a hamster!

Sharon Furnier

Sharon previously worked with kindergarten through 5th grade students at Trailblazer Elementary as an Educational Assistant. Before that she worked as a preschool teacher. She is curently a student at  ACC and expects to recieve her degree in 2012.

Sharon moved from California to Colorado seven years ago and loves everything about being here.  Her children have grown up and flown the nest. One daughter lives in Los Angeles and works as an archivist and a son is currently serving in Afghanistan as an Army medic.  With her kids gone, she is free to dedicate my time to the children of Ben Franklin Academy. Sharon is excited to be a part of this incredible team.  In her spare time she walks the block, reads, watches way too many sports, and spends countless hours doing her homework. 

Nannette Preciado

Nannette is excited to be an Instructional Aide at BFA. She has worked at Bear Canyon Elementary as a Instructional Aide and Health Room Assistant and at Ranch View Middle School with Nutrition Services. Nannette moved  to Highlands Ranch in 1995 from California. Nannette and her husband have two children, Rob and Lauren. Rob attends  University of Northern Colorado and Lauren Mountain Vista High School. Nannette enjoys camping, hiking and spending time with her family. She is very excited to be part of Ben Franklin Academy and loves working with the Kindergartner students.

Genevieve Gibson

After joining BFA as a 2nd grade instructional aide at the end of last school year, Genevieve is very excited to be a 5th grade instructional aide and teach 5th grade math this year.  Genevieve earned an M.A. in Political Science and a B.A. in International Affairs from the University of Colorado.  Before her daughter was born, Genevieve worked primarily in the mutual fund industry. 

In her search for a school that was a good fit for her family, Genevieve and her husband came across BFA and are proud to be part of BFA’s founding family and the entire BFA community.  Genevieve has two kids, Evan and Bryn, and a wonderful husband, James.  Genevieve and her family love weekends in the mountains, camping, and playing tennis and basketball together.  In her spare time, Genevieve loves to run and read about history and politics.  Genevieve is very grateful for the opportunity to work at Ben Franklin Academy.