Learning Support Services
Dianne Swann - Learning Specialist
Diane Swann is Ben Franklin Academy's full time Learning Specialist. She earned her B.A. in Elementary Education at Oklahoma Christian University in Edmond (Oklahoma City area) Oklahoma. And did her post graduate work at University of Northern Colorado. She has learned at the feet of some of education's greatest teachers such as Dr. Michael Opitz. Diane has been teaching since 1983 in a variety of settings including private schools, Denver Public Schools and Highlands Ranch Charter Schools. Diane loves working within our community. She feels that supportive parents and children who want to succeed are such blessings. Dianne truly loves her job! Diane has been married to her husband, Steve, since 1988. They have two grown daughters: Lindsey and Jordanna.
Jackie Losasso - Tier III Paraprofessional
Jackie has worked as an ISS para for seven years in Douglas county. She received her college degree from University of Northern Colorado. She has worked with various special needs populations over the past 25 years. Jackie lives in Highland Ranch with her 18 year old daughter, husband, and her dog Sammy. Her son is 23 years old and is graduating from college in December. Jackie calls herself an energizer bunny; she enjoys yoga, weight lifting, and speed walking.
Esther Colas - Significant Needs Support
Esther’s teaching experience began when she was in high school, teaching neighborhood Bible clubs in the inner city of Washington, D.C. After graduating from Baptist Bible College of PA, she lived briefly in the Denver area, and then spent the next 22 years in Leavenworth, KS, where her husband pastored a small church. Her teaching continued in many aspects in her church, and also as she homeschooled 4 children until they went off to college. She then was a substitute teacher in the local school district, spending most of her time as a long-term sub in a school for children with severe emotional and behavior issues. When her family moved back to Denver in 2005, she began working as a Significant Support Needs educational assistant at Fox Creek Elementary in Highlands Ranch, supporting students with many needs, including Down syndrome and autism. She loves helping students with great challenges.
Her children are all post-college now – Kristi is a missionary in France, helping churches with music and discipleship. Karen and her husband are 4th year medical students in NYC. Eric is in the Army and lives with his family at Ft. Bragg, NC. Kelli lives in Denver, works, and has a small piano studio. Esther and her husband Kevin, almost empty nesters, enjoy biking, snowshoeing, and hiking with friends and two extremely energetic Jack Russell Terriers, Allie and Sherpa.
Becky Matson - Psychologist/Social Worker
Becky Matson is the School Psychologist at Ben Franklin Academy. She is a Colorado native and currently lives in Littleton with her husband and her two daughters, Hannah and Emma. She grew up in Brighton and attended the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley where she received a Bachelor's Degrees in Psychology and Sociology. For several years, she was a stay-at-home mom, Girl Scout leader, and school volunteer. Becky returned to school at the University of Colorado in Denver to earn my Education Specialist Degree in School Psychology.
