Every year schools go through changes. Some students move on to the next school and there are always new students coming in the door. Nederland Elementary (NES) hired some new staff members this year to join the NES family. A big welcome to the new staff members at NES.

Teachers do amazing work. However, do you realize what beginning band teachers do? They give a group of 10 and 11 year olds an instrument that can make a lot of noise. They are all in the same room and they proceed to squeak and honk away on their instruments. Then slowly and with great patience a band teacher teaches them to make music together.

That is what NES band teacher John Mullis is doing right now with the fifth graders. Mr. Mullis says that it is so exciting and satisfying when the kids learn to play Hot Cross Buns together. Seeing and hearing the students succeed is one of the best aspects of teaching.

Mr. Mullis grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He attended the University of Northern Colorado and the University of Northern Arizona. He has a B.A. in music performance and a M.A. in elementary curriculum and instruction.

Mr. Mullis has been teaching for over 30 years. He has taught 5th through 12th grade band as well as music ministry in churches. The flute, clarinet, trumpet and trombone are the instruments that he teaches.

He went into education because he loves kids and music and the challenge of the art and science of teaching. Mr. Mullis says that the kids at NES are genuine and enjoyable to be with. This says a lot considering that throughout the week Mr. Mullis teaches band at five different elementary schools in Boulder Valley School District and at Fairview High School.

When he is not teaching band Mr. Mullis enjoys backpacking, exploring the western US, cycling and performing music. He also has four children and two grandsons who bring him great joy.

Nederland Elementary has another new music teacher this year. Alison Bagli grew up in Boulder and is a Boulder High graduate. She teaches Kindergarten through 5th grade music at NES as well at Gold Hill Elementary and Jamestown Elementary.

She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in musical theater from the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music and her M.A. at CU-Denver in learning, development and family sciences.

Before teaching in Nederland, Gold Hill and Jamestown she taught musical theatre and has also taught preschool.

Ms. Alison (as her students call her) says it is a joy to combine her two passions of music (musical theater) and education together. She says, “I believe Arts Education is a (commonly underrated) necessity for the growth of a child. It gives children the opportunity to explore how to communicate, collaborate, and try new things with their peers every day.”

When I asked Ms. Alison what advice she has for students she said, “Start singing or playing an instrument now. I mean experimenting with what you might be interested in. I’ve never met an adult that said they wished they hadn’t learned to play guitar or started to sing earlier. Music is an amazing gift, and it has the power to impress people on long road trips!”

Ms. Alison’s goals this year include building strong relationships with her students. She says that art education really thrives in a safe place and she hopes to build that with the students throughout the school year.

Ms. Alison hopes to spend some time skiing this winter and get back on the stage this summer.

Sarah Burns has been hired at Nederland Elementary as a paraprofessional. Paraprofessionals do many different tasks at schools throughout the day and are often called upon to be extremely flexible. They are vital to a school’s everyday operations and success.

Ms. Sarah grew up in Crawfordsville, Indiana. She attended the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville and graduated with a B.S. in art. She is an accomplished painter.

She moved to Colorado almost 20 years ago for the beauty of the mountains and so she could snowboard.

For the last several years Ms. Sarah has been home with her children. She has also provided in-home childcare and has done some substitute teaching. Last year she homeschooled her kids. Now every morning she and her two children all go to NES together.

As a paraprofessional Ms. Sarah helps out in a Kindergarten class and is outside during lunch recess. She also helps out the first and second grade teachers.

She loves the energy of elementary aged children. She says that they make her laugh everyday. Ms. Sarah hopes that the students see and enjoy all the beauty that surrounds them and love and cherish the people close to them.

When not working at school Ms. Sarah enjoys spending time with her husband, children and animals. They especially enjoy travelling to Indiana to visit with family there.

Danielle Andrews is one of the new fifth grade teachers at Nederland Elementary.

She grew up in Michigan and received her B.A. from Michigan University in English with a minor in earth science. She attended Centro Linguistico in Costa Rica and earned her M.A. in education from Regis University.

When I asked Ms. Andrews why she went into teaching she said that she has always been an inquisitive person and she loves to learn. She wants to guide students in rich experiences and help prepare them with the skills and support necessary for their future.

Ms. Andrews has taught a variety of levels in her 12 years as an elementary teacher. She has taught in a classroom that was both 1st and 2nd grade together. She has taught 6th grade math, science and social studies, 5th grade and 2nd grade.

This is Ms. Andrews sixth year teaching 5th grade and she says this is a year of incredible growth and change for these students. She says, “This age group grows and develops on multiple fronts at once. Therefore, it is my mission to help them use their common characteristics as assets and support them in capitalizing on their strengths. Part of my role is to prepare them for middle school and allow them to rise to the many opportunities and challenges presented to them academically, socially and emotionally.”

She is also very excited to incorporate STEM and Problem-Based Learning into the classroom.

Ms. Andrews wants her students to never give up and always dream big!

Her hobbies include winter activities, jewelry and gemstones, traveling, reading, writing and sports.

Boulder native Jordan Sloat was also hired to teach 5th grade at NES.

Mr. Sloat attended Fort Lewis College in Durango for one year on a football scholarship, then he transferred to Colorado State University in Fort Collins. There he received a B.S. in human development and family studies with a minor in business. He is currently enrolled in CU-Denver in a Master’s program with a focus on human learning and development.

For the last six years, Mr. Sloat has been working with students in early childhood education, as a paraprofessional and as a 5th grade teacher.

He says, “Working with students to assist in their overall development is my passion and brings me tremendous joy! I also love working in communities that are energized by learning and curiosity.”

One of the things he loves about working with elementary students is their genuine curiosity towards learning. As well as their consistent ability to surprise him with creative solutions to problems. Mr. Sloat finds the students at NES very kind and they have a great sense of humor. He also thinks the views from the school are spectacular.

When asked if he has any advice for his students Mr. Sloat said, “Treat your mistakes as moments to celebrate! Getting stuck or tripped up is an opportunity to grow and become stronger.”

This year Mr. Sloat wants to continue to grow and learn as an educator. He believes it is important to see ourselves as lifelong learners. A characteristic his students see in him as well, I’m sure.

When he has time off Mr. Sloat enjoys camping, climbing, canyoneering, reading, cooking, playing music, and going to concerts. Now that he is in the Nederland area he is hoping to get back into skiing and biking again, too.

Teachers and all school employees play a role in the lives of the students who attend Nederland schools. Let’s welcome them into the community as they work with families to help the children of this community grow and reach their greatest potential.