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Staff Directory

Administration

Schmidt, Matt

Principal

I am excited to serve as principal of Pathways Future Center School. Working with our students, families, and staff is a dream come true for me. I have worked as a high school science teacher, counselor, and assistant principal in the past. In my career I have always been drawn to working with students who have not...

Koenig, Kristine

Assistant Principal

Hello, my name is Krissy and I am the assistant principal at Pathways. I have lived in the district and attended Westview Elementary, Huron Junior High and graduated from Northglenn High School. I am the proud mother of a high school student and two dogs. I like to spend time with my friends and family enjoying the...

Zednik, Judith

Program Director

EdS, MBA, BS

A native of Germany, I moved to the USA at the age of three. My early childhood was spent in Illinois and Colorado Springs, Colorado. My family moved to San Francisco, California where I completed my high school years. I’ve lived in New York, South Dakota and have returned to Denver, Colorado where I now call...

Office

Wilson, Heather

Office Manager

I am a Colorado native and grew up in the Thornton area. I have been working in Adams 12 since 2007. It has been wonderful to be part of the Pathways/Independence Academy team since 2010. I have been married for 17 years and have three children. I enjoy the outdoors. I like to go camping and skiing with my family. ...

Carter, Tricia

Registrar

I am originally from Kansas City, Go Chiefs! We moved to Colorado in 1994. I have been with Adams 12 since 2006 and this is my 5th year with Pathways. I am one of the original staff members that has been with Pathways since its inception. I have had the privilege of working with many students who have chosen...

Ainsworth-Sharpley, Rebecca

Office Clerk

Hello! My name is Rebecca; My husband Mark and I moved from California to Colorado with our two boys Jonathan and Bryson in 1996. I have been employed with Adams 12 School District since September 23, 1996. I remember the date, because this happens to be my oldest son Jonathan's birthday. I started with Huron...

White, Donna

Office Clerk

I am blessed to be working here at Pathways! It is a gift to work with the great staff, students and families of our school.

Counseling

Batchelder, Kathryn

Counselor

This is Katy's 9th year working in education, and she could not be happier about joining the Pathways Future Center to help students across the graduation finish line. She lives in the community with her husband and two young sons, and was lucky enough to have also grown up in Colorado. Katy earned her B.A....

Field, Jesse

Counselor

Hello! My name is Jesse Daniel Field. I was born in Maine and I grew up in both Maine and New Hampshire. I did my undergraduate work at the University of New Hampshire and my Master’s program at Boston University. I have two Labradors, Samson, and Magpie and I love to take them hiking up in the mountains. I love...

White, Shirell

Counselor

MA, NCC

Greetings, I am honored to be a part of Pathways Future Center School. I have been with Adams 12 since 2010 and part of Pathways since 2013. My graduate degree is from Adams State University in Alamosa. Counseling has always been a passion of mine and I have worked in this capacity for more than twenty years. Having...

English

Gruenwald, Robert

English Teacher

MA

Having been in education for the better part of the last two decades, my path has taken me in some interesting directions. My experience has included working with students from kindergarden to the college level, and from alternative, to traditional, to gifted, and to youth corrections. That being the case, alternative...

Poling, Marta

English Teacher

Edith Wharton summed up my intention at Pathways well when she said “There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” I’m a “mirror” kind of person and always have been. My professional journey has taken me from working in Larimer County Corrections, to medical publishing, to...

Mathematics

Chapin, Alex

Math Teacher , Fine Arts Teacher

BFA

I teach Art class in mornings and afternoons and Math in evenings. Outside of school I like to watch movies, play games and go hiking with my wife, Lindsay.

Garkie, Michael

Math Teacher

BS

I have lived in Denver all of my life. I'm married with a daughter in college, have a dog named Nina, and a wife named Lulu. I have a BS degree in mathematics from the University of Colorado, Denver. My specialties are discrete math and statistics. I enjoy playing with technology like robots, cameras, and computers....

Social Studies

Brehm, Kenneth

Social Studies Teacher , English Teacher

MA

AN EDUCATION THAT MATTERS I am a Colorado native. I was born in Denver, Co and raised in Commerce City. My family moved to Thornton in the early 80's. I am a former student of Bollman Technical Educational Center (formerly Bollman Occupational Center) and I attended Thornton High School. I earned my high school...

Uzzalino-Del Grosso, Lorraine

Social Studies Teacher

I am originally from New York and received my BS at University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA. I have been teaching social studies courses at the high school level for 20 years. My first 15 years were at Massponax High School in Virginia. I moved to Colorado and I am currently teaching at Pathways Future...

Science

Beach, Paula

Science Teacher

My husband and I have lived in Colorado since 2015. Before moving here, I worked in West Virginia as an educational interpreter for deaf and hard of hearing students, and I also taught middle school and high school science. I now work at Pathways in the evenings as a science teacher. I am a true Buckeye. I grew up in...

Buckley, Heather

Science Teacher

MEd

My name is Heather and I live in Denver, Colorado. I am originally from Columbus, Ohio and moved to Denver approximately thirteen years ago. When I first moved to Denver, I obtained a job in the marketing department of a small family owned business that manufactures waterproofing membranes for the construction...

Special Education

Traxler, Peter

School Psychologist

Hello my name is Pete and I am thrilled to be the School Psychologist at Pathways. I am originally from the Chicago area. I attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor as an undergraduate, and then National-Louis University in Chicago for graduate training. I moved to Colorado in 1993 and live in Broomfield with...

Jaggard, Deb

Learning Specialist

Hello! My name is Deb Jaggard. I am one of two Learning Specialists at Pathways and also provide support to students in the areas of Reading and Writing. Born and raised on the East Coast, I completed a graduate degree in Special Education (M.S.Ed.). Since relocating to Denver, I have been fortunate to join the...

Vigil, Tara

Learning Specialist

Hi, I’m Tara Vigil and I am so excited to be a part of the Pathway’s team again this year. I have been working at Pathways since 2011 as a Learning Specialist and I can truly say that Pathways is an amazing program. Students get individualized instruction, can work at their own pace and even make their own schedules. ...

ELD

Dinkelmeyer, Gerri

ELL Teacher , Work Based Credit Coordinator

Hello! My name is Gerri Dinkelmeyer and I am thrilled to working here at Pathways. I grew up in Long Island and started off my career in business. My love of travel, foreign languages, and cultures helped steer me in a new direction. I eventually went back to school and earned my Master's Degree in Teaching...

Electives

Lewis, Cassandra

Technology Teacher

BA, MA

Hi, my name is Cassandra, but I go by Cass. I'm named after a woman from Greek mythology who could predict the future, and I think I have some of her prescient ability. I predict that learning and adapting are the secrets to a happy and successful life and a sustainable future for our world. I work Wednesdays and...

McCleland, Joseph

Physical Education Teacher , Competency Based Diploma Teacher

BA, MEd

I am the Physical Education teacher and co-coordinator for the Compentency Based Diploma program. I am starting my 4th year at Pathways. I earned my Bachelors Degree from the University of Northern Colorado, and also earned a Masters of Education Administration degree from Regis University. I obtained my Principal...

Competency Based Diploma

Olguin, Darlene

Competency Based Diploma Teacher , Technology Teacher

BA, BEd, MA

I am a Colorado Native and grew up in Thornton. I am extremely happy to be here at Pathways working with a fantastic group of young adult students. I am the Competency Based Diploma Teacher and help guide students through eight of the twelve required courses. I also teach technology courses as an elective.

Support Staff

Garfio, Mayra

ELL Family Outreach Liaison

Stemm, Ethan

Family Outreach Liaison

Cabral-Tafoya, Nastacio

Building Computer Technician

Hancock, Michael

Campus Security

Hello, I'm Mike Hancock, Campus Supervisor. I have been at Pathways in a civilian capacity since 2013. Prior to that I was the SRO (School Resource Officer). I retired from the Thornton Police department in May of 2013 after twenty nine years, seven of those years as a SRO. I'm a United States Army veteran.

Filter Staff