Administrative & Support Staff

Monte Brook

Facilities Manager

Rachel Rodriguez

Lunch Aide

Rachel loves the outdoors and enjoys spending time with her family. She is a plant lover and enjoys tending to her plants. She is also a great cook and is always eager to try new recipes.

Deb Williams

Librarian

Deb grew up in Dallas, Texas and attended Eastfield College where she studied Early Childhood Development.  For many years she was a foster parent for severely abused children which was heartbreaking and challenging, but also rewarding. She wanted to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren so in 2017 she made the move to Colorado from Ohio and came to work at BFA as the 4th grade aide. The following year she became our Librarian and has been happily reading to the students ever since. All three of her grandchildren attended BFA but they are now headed to college and Heritage High School.

In her free time she loves to read (surprise), swim, spend time with her grandchildren and love on her granddogs.

Colleen Bobbin

Director of Admissions & Records

Peggy Brown

RN, BFA's Nurse Consultant

Peggy is excited to begin her third year as the School Nurse Consultant for Ben Franklin Academy!  Though she has lived in Colorado for the past 29 years, she is originally from Portage WI. She graduated with a BSN from The University of San Diego, and has been a pediatric nurse throughout her career. She has worked in children’s hospitals in Milwaukee WI and San Diego CA,, as well as in Public health. Peggy has been a school nurse consultant in Douglas County for the past 24 years.

Jennifer Jones 

Director of Front Office Services

Shannon Jensen

School Resource Officer

Deputy Shannon Jensen is an experienced and accomplished School Resource Officer (SRO) with 14 years of law enforcement experience. She obtained her undergraduate degree and Doctor of Law in Northern California, where she also began her law enforcement career before moving to Colorado with her family. Deputy Jensen has been with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office for eight years and has had various assignments, including serving the community as a cold case detective. After solving a 40-year-old Colorado cold case, she was featured on Dateline NBC and People Magazine Investigates. Deputy Jensen graduated from the National Association of School Resource Officers Basic and Advanced School Resource Officer courses. She also was recently recognized as a NASRO practitioner, which requires years of training and service as a school resource officer. When she’s not in uniform, you can find Deputy Jensen exploring the outdoors, soaking in Colorado hot springs, cheering on her favorite baseball team, or enjoying a concert at Red Rocks.

Jeanelle Korhonen

Front Office Coordinator

Jeanelle is excited to work as a Receptionist in the front office at BFA. Originally from the Pacific Northwest but she has been enjoying living in the always sunny Highlands Ranch since late 2016. She is a Mom to two boys and two fur babies. In her free time, you can catch her doing some form of exercise and enjoying time exploring the outdoors with her family.

Kelley Marie Paulson

Director of Communications

Kelley Marie Paulson is the Director of Communications.  Before this, she has been the BFA Health Aide for two years and a BFA as a substitute teacher for two years. Born and bred in Kentucky, she received a Bachelor of Arts in Theater with a minor in Art and Language Arts from Northern Kentucky University. 

Kelley Marie moved to Colorado in 2001, where she met and married her husband, Karl. They have welcomed five wonderful children into their lives, Christian, Genevieve, Callister, Flettcher, and Cassandra (4 of them have attended BFA). Together with her family, Kelley Marie enjoys spending time in Steamboat Springs, where they can be seen at the lake boating/SUP/kayaking, hiking, fishing, and relaxing. She also enjoys being a Dance/Scout/Golf/Soccer/Lacrosse/etc Mom as well as hosting two Crochet/Knitting Camps during the summer. Kelley Marie also owns her own business making Artisan Bath & Body products. Kelley Marie joined the BFA staff in 2021 and is grateful to work with all the wonderful students and staff.

Leigh Savoy

BASE/Camp Director & Makerspace Coordinator

Leigh is honored to be part of the Ben Franklin Academy team. She has worked at Ben Franklin Academy since 2011, first in the Preschool program then in the BASE program.  Leigh is currently the Director of the BASE and Summer Camp programs. Leigh obtained her Directors Certification in August, 2022.

Leigh and her husband Frank have been married for 35 years and have lived many places thanks to the military. But, by far, Colorado is the most awesome place to be!  Leigh and Frank have three wonderful grown-up children–Justin, Zach, and Erin.  In her free time, Leigh likes to spend time at BFA working, being with her family, crafting, doing house projects, and spending time outdoors in the beautiful Colorado weather. 

Leigh loves working with all children because of their openness and willingness to learn and have fun.  She loves to be part of the BFA family and community and to be able to interact with the children and parents alike.

Leigh is excited to begin the school year and make a positive impact in you and your children’s lives.

Faculty Favorites

Lisa Childs

Health Assistant

Hello! My name is Lisa Childs and I am so excited to start at BFA. My daughter Kayley has been a student here since she was 3 and I can’t wait to enjoy more years with everyone! I have many years of Emergency care in Pediatrics and I am so happy that I have been given this opportunity to be there for your children and the BFA community. Please stop by and say hi as I am excited to meet everyone!

Lauren Flint

Elementary Science Teacher

• Website: Link

Silvia De Bedout

Middle School Spanish Teacher

Ali Hinkle

K-8 Art Teacher

Ali has been teaching for more than twenty years. She graduated from Sussex University in England with a bachelor’s degree in Art and Education and went on to teach in England, Spain and Italy for many years before coming to America in 1994. After spending a few years at home with her children, she began teaching again. She has been teaching art in Core Knowledge schools in Douglas County since 2005. She loves teaching art and is proud to have been a part of Ben Franklin Academy from the beginning. She is also excited to be able to teach at a S.T.E.A.M. school where art is considered to be an important part of a well-rounded education. 

She lives in Highlands Ranch with her husband, John, who is a native Coloradan. They have two grown children and two grandchildren.

• Website: Link

Jaime Johnson

K-5 Music

Ms. Jaime Johnson has been the K-8 music director at Ben Franklin Academy since 2012. She is responsible for directing performances and after school classes as well as teaching elementary general music and middle school music and theatre electives.

Ms. Johnson holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from University of Redlands and a Masters in Music Education from University of Colorado, Boulder. She holds a vocal coaching certification from New York Vocal Coaching. She also has her Orff Schulwerk certification. This certification focuses on training music teachers to implement the creative music and movement approach developed by Carl Orff and Gunild Keetman. This approach is known for using instruments such as xylophone to improvise and compose music. Training includes recorder and movement classes.

Outside of Ben Franklin, Ms. Johnson is a music director for Audience of One, Spot On Theatre and Mountain Vista High School. Prior to BFA, she taught band and orchestra at three Douglas County schools and K-8 general music at a charter school in Denver.

Ms. Johnson truly believes in the power of the performing arts and is thrilled BFA is a STEAM school. Her role as a music teacher is to teach skills that will help students succeed in school and in life such as working with others, listening, storytelling, speaking in front of a group, being a good audience and accepting other people’s interests. Through the arts, she has seen students come out of their shells and embrace learning. 

• Website: Link

Beth Konesky

Middle School S.T.E.A.M.

With a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Creighton University, more than 10 years in the computer industry as a programmer and network engineer, along with many years as a Technology Teacher, Beth has a plethora of ideas and hands-on activities to inspire and challenge students. A die-hard Broncos fan, Beth loves Colorado, the outdoors, her two teenage daughters, and learning new things!

• Website: Link

Craig Macias

Middle School PE & Health

I am a sixth year teacher and a graduate of Colorado State University.  My course work and life have prepared me to be an informed, dynamic, professional in the Health and Physical Education field. In high school I was on the baseball, football and tennis teams where my coaches taught me the value of hard work, dedication, being a stand up individual and many other life lessons that I hope I can pass along to my students.   I do not only teach Health and Physical Education, I also live it.  I like to think that I practice what I preach!  Some of my favorite hobbies are exercising and playing/coaching different sports.  I have coached elite youth baseball, football and golf throughout the last ten years which has helped inspire me to pursue my dream of becoming a Health and Physical Education teacher and Athletic Director.  I love to try new things and spend time with my family and friends.  Lastly I truly love and have a lot of passion for what I do.  I believe I have the best job in the world, and get up every day thankful that I get to do what I do.  I love working with all my students, and having the opportunity to teach them how to be healthy and physically fit.

• Website: Link

Janelle Nichols

Elementary PE Teacher

Kyle Nolting

STEM Coordinator

Kyle Nolting is the STEM Coordinator at Ben Franklin Academy. Kyle is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in education from the Morgridge College of Education at the University of Denver. He has a background in K-12 science and technology education while teaching for the New York City department of education. In the classroom, he has interests in STEM curriculum design, ASD Education, Gifted & Talented Education, Multicultural Teaching Practices, LGBTQ+ Youth Advocacy and DEI Work. Outside of the classroom, Kyle is interested in hiking, birding, fly fishing and general all around spending time outdoors. He is excited to meet you on campus!

Laura Tickle

K-5 Technology

Teaching has always been a passion of Laura’s, and she loves being a member of the Ben Franklin Academy staff. Laura has taught for 15 years. She has taught fourth grade and currently is the K-5 Specials technology teacher. Technology is important to BFA and Laura is able to help effectively integrate technology into the hands of students at BFA.

Laura received her Bachelor’s degree in 2009 in Elementary Education from Purdue University. She has her certification in Linguistically Diverse Education from the University of Colorado at Denver, as well as a Masters in Information and Learning Technologies from the University of Colorado at Denver. Laura also received an award for ‘Outstanding Student in the Program’ at the end of her Masters program course work. This ILT program not only allowed Laura to grow with her own personal education, but it helps bring many of the latest ideas and projects related to technology into the classrooms at BFA. 

A Colorado native, Laura loves working out, watching football and spending time with her family.

• Website: Link

Sandy Hayes

Middle School Life Skills Teacher

Sarah Harrell

Student Support Coordinator

Sarah Harrell is a Colorado native and has been teaching at BFA since it opened in 2011. She received her B.A. from CU Boulder, her Literacy Intervention Specialist certificate from Colorado College, and her M.Ed in Elementary Ed and Special Education from Grand Canyon University. She also has her endorsement in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education. Before becoming a teacher, Sarah worked as a counselor at a residential treatment facility with teens 11-18 years old. Her passion has always been working with students of various ages to reach their full potential despite their backgrounds and/or disabilities.

In her free time, Sarah enjoys spending time with her family, which includes her adult sons. She also enjoys traveling anywhere, especially to the beach, hiking, and reading. She also volunteers with RezDawg Rescue. 

Sarah Russell

Speech Language Pathologist

Sarah Russell is an accomplished Speech Language Pathologist whose interest in the field was sparked while volunteering at a summer camp for special needs children during her high school summer breaks. Sarah attended Miami University (Ohio) and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology. She then moved to Boulder and earned her Master of Arts degree in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Colorado. In order to gain more experience in all areas of the field, Sarah accepted a one year Clinical Fellowship at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI and earned her Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech Language Pathology from the American Speech Language Hearing Association. Her next professional opportunity led her back to Boulder to work as a speech language pathologist for Boulder Community Hospital in the Pediatric Rehabilitation Department. In this role, Sarah became certified in administration of the Autism Diagnostic Scale and a variety of specific intervention techniques. She was a member of the interdisciplinary Autism Diagnostic Team which consisted of a physical therapist, occupational therapist and psychologist. Additionally, Sarah became a certified trainer for the Hanen Center and part of the second organization in Boulder County to run workshops for parents and caregivers in the Hanen approach for early intervention. Sarah enjoyed working with and gaining knowledge from other professionals in related fields and closely collaborating with her clients families. Next, a postdoctoral opportunity for her husband had the Russells moving to Ohio where Sarah became an associate professor at Purdue University in their Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences Department. Sarah supervised graduate students in medical and educational settings while collaborating with other professors to prepare students for their careers. After a professional break to start her family, Sarah has spent the last 11 years at Ben Franklin Academy where she is currently licensed as a Special Services Provider through the state of Colorado. She loves being part of the Student Support Team and BFA community. The best part of her job is helping students achieve their goals and improve their communication skills! Sarah strives to make her time with students both effective and fun!

When Sarah is not at BFA, she enjoys spending time with her husband, three teenagers and dog! Most frequently throughout the year, Sarah can be found at basketball games or cheerleading competitions, volunteering for booster clubs, reading or baking. During the summer, the Russell family takes an annual trip to visit extended family in Michigan and spends time on their boat at Chatfield Lake. 

Hugh Redford

School Psychologist

Alexis Ferguson

Social Worker

Grade 5-8 504 Coordinator

Alexis is excited to join Ben Franklin Academy in her first year as the Middle School Social Worker. Alexis earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work from Colorado State University. Alexis has always had a passion for wanting to work with youth, particularly in an academic setting. During her time at CSU, Alexis interned with Poudre School District as a Social/Emotional Support Intern and spent most of her time at a Middle/High School working with students. She also interned for a non-profit organization as a Youth Specialist working with youth aged 6 to 18 years old. Alexis loves every chance she gets to interact, meet with students, and support them in achieving their goals. Alexis strives to make school a fun and welcoming place for students. Alexis is a Colorado native, she grew up in Parker and attended school in Douglas County. She lives with her boyfriend, Kaiden, and their two cats, Cali and Rue. In her free time, Alexis likes spending time with her family, cycling/going on walks, reading, going to the movies, and spending time with her pets, including her family’s English Bulldog, Jazz.

Angela Bond

Intervention Specialist: Gifted Education Facilitator

Katie Murphy

Gifted and Talented Specialist

Katie is starting her 23rd year of teaching. She has worked with students in grades three through five for most of her career and taught fifth grade for thirteen years. This upcoming year will be her eighth year as the Gifted and Talented Education Specialist at Ben Franklin Academy, her seventh year as the DCSD Gifted Charter School Lead, and her fifth year coaching volleyball. Teaching is her passion, and she loves every minute she spends helping students meet their academic potential.

Katie has a Bachelor’s degree in Painting from the University of Missouri Kansas City, a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Denver, a Master of Science in Special Education from Western Governor’s University, and her Gifted and Talented Specialist endorsement from Regis University.

Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Katie moved to Colorado in 1999. She lives with her husband, Patrick, and their three children, Lillia (sophomore in college at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago), Aidan (11th grade at MVHS), Charlie (8th grade at BFA), and their dog, Stella, in Castle Pines. Katie spends most of her free time keeping up with her very active children. She also loves to spend time knee-deep in a great book, walking her dog on the beautiful trails throughout Colorado, or planning her family’s next vacation to a National Park. Her goal is to visit all 63 National Parks. Katie and her husband also enjoy gardening–she takes care of the flowers, and he’s in charge of the vegetables. As a family, they enjoy being outdoors, family game and movie nights, trips to the mountains, skiing, and visiting her family in Wisconsin.

Faculty Favorites

• Website: Link

Erin Atkins

Middle School Moderate Needs Teacher

Ellen Cain

Literacy Interventionist

READ Act Coordinator

This past school year Ellen completed her tenth year working with elementary-aged students in the Douglas County Charter School system. Prior to her Charter School experience, Ellen began her career working for a major test-prep company, where she prepared students for college, grad school, and medical licensure.  When not on the sidelines watching her kids play sports, Ellen can be found hiking, biking, snowboarding, or READing!

Paulette Graves

Literacy Specialist

Paulette Graves is a Reading Support Teacher and has been with BFA for 8 years. She has a B.S. Michigan State University and her Masters of Arts in Teaching from Oakland University. Mrs. Graves was an Elementary Education Teacher for 17 years in Michigan. She has experience in most elementary grades; she taught second, third, and fourth grades primarily and one year of kindergarten. Paulette is a life-long learner and recently completed training on Orton Gillingham IMSE, Pepper; Read Act Reading Training Evidence Based, and Lexia: 5 ways to translate Science of Reading into Instruction.

Her hobbies include needlework, golf and watercolor painting.

Tracy Pierce

Second Step Coordinator

Tracy is thrilled to join the eighth grade team for her third year at Ben Franklin Academy.  Tracy earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in both Psychology and Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Wisconsin and a Master’s Degree in Education from University of Colorado at Boulder. 

Tracy grew up in the northern suburbs of Chicago, visiting Colorado often, and finally moving to Denver after college.  She has a wide variety of teaching experience that ranges from traditional classrooms to directing an overnight camp to homeschooling her own children in an RV for seven months while traveling the country.  

Faculty Favorites

Jackie Losasso

Special Education Paraprofessional

Jackie has worked as an ISS para since 2005 in Douglas County. She received her college degree from University of Northern Colorado. Over the last 40 years she has worked with various special-needs populations. She was a Program Manager for 16 years serving adults with intellectual challenges and their families in their homes and community. She currently lives in Highlands Ranch with her husband. She has two adult children, a son and daughter.  She is proud to tell you about her five grandchildren. Jackie describes herself as extremely outgoing and full of energy. She has a unique passion for working with students and receives tremendous joy from working with BFA students. Her motto is: “Seek peace and pursue it!”

Michelle Ziegler

Student Support

Liz Hankins

Social Worker

Liz graduated with a master’s in occupational therapy (OT) in 2011 from Colorado State University. While she has experience in the acute care setting, working with children has always been her goal. Liz worked at a center for children with autism before joining Ben Franklin Academy. She served just under three years before taking time to stay home with her twins, Kate and Jack, now second graders at BFA. Liz is thrilled to return to BFA and support students in achieving their highest learning potential as part of the student support team. Occupational therapy has always been her calling, but Liz also has a deep passion for nutrition and health. When her kids started pre-K at BFA, she returned to graduate school at the University of Western States to pursue nutrition studies. She plans to finalize her license as a Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) in 2025. With her enthusiasm for nutrition and wellness, Liz enjoys frequenting farmers’ markets, being outdoors, and exploring local coffee shops and farm-to-table restaurants. Above all, Liz cherishes spending time with her family, her greatest blessing.

Aric Gomez

School Assessment Coordinator

Emily Pitrone

Behavior/Learning Specialist