Sara Sandstrom-Kobi, Nederland. Every year schools go through some changes in staff. This year is no different. Nederland Elementary welcomed eight new staff members this year.

Caribou Mountain Preschool saw the biggest changes this year. Their space has been completely remodeled and there are some new faces, as well. 

Emily Barth is the new preschool teacher at Caribou Mountain Preschool. This is a BVSD preschool program. Ms. Emily has worked in early childhood education for 16 years. She has taught at Boulder Journey School and Mapleton Early Childhood Center. 

She earned her early childhood education degrees at Williamwoods University in Fulton, Missouri, and CU -Denver. 

Ms. Emily loves the new preschool space and is excited to be a part of the NES community. She says, “A passion of mine is to build bridges with the community and our preschool.”

With kindergarten going to a full-day schedule state-wide, there were some changes to the kindergarten and preschool programs at NES.

The Kindergarten Enrichment program no longer exists. Instead there is a preschool enrichment program called Color Me Smart. This is a BVSD program that provides an opportunity for three and four- year-old children to learn social and emotional skills as well as pre-literacy and pre-math fundamentals to help prepare them for kindergarten. 

Longtime teacher Patty Kayler leads Color Me Smart along with Nicci Morrish who is new to NES. Ms. Nicci is the assistant supervisor. Before coming to NES, she was the lead Montessori teacher for 13 years at Boulder Montessori. She also started their food program.

Ms. Nicci has degrees in journalism and early childhood education. She has even been a professional chef. Besides working with the students at Color Me Smart she also works with Reboot, a mindfulness program.

Johnnie LeFavier is BVSD’s new Early Childhood Education Community Liaison at NES. Ms. Johnnie has a degree in environmental education, elementary education and Montessori certification. 

Before becoming the community liaison, she taught at Gilpin Schools and at NES as a special education and reading support teacher.

As the community liaison, Ms. Johnnie is responsible for recruiting and welcoming families to the early childhood programs at NES. She says, “I am excited to support and collaborate with families as they transition into preschool and kindergarten.”

She helps in the classroom when needed and organizes events such as field trips and Kindergarten Round-Up. Ms. Johnnie is the go-to person for information and enrollment when families are ready to place their child in Nederland Elementary’s early childhood programs.

NES also has a new third grade teacher, Danielle Petrovic. Ms. Petrovic is team teaching part-time with Larissa Albright. 

Ms. Petrovic earned her degrees at Miami University and CU-Boulder. She has degrees in philosophy, a master’s degree in instruction and curriculum and is certified to teach elementary education, secondary English and language arts and special education. 

Ms. Petrovic has three children, two of whom are at NES. She says that she has always loved and appreciated the staff and teachers at NES. Ms. Petrovic says, “I know the NES students are well taken care of here and I am just happy to help keep that going and contribute to educating the youth of our community.”

Most of her previous years teaching were at Nederland Middle Senior High School. You may also recognize her name from the Nederland Elementary PTA. Ms. Petrovic has served on the board and organized the annual Jog-a-Thon, sponsored yearbook ads and helped organize NedSHRED. 

NES also has two new paraeducators, a new custodian and a new member of the kitchen crew. 

Devorah Gomez is a new paraeducator that works in the cafeteria, on the playground and in the classroom. Ms. Devorah has been an elementary teacher at Boulder County Day, MacIntosh Academy and Emerald Mt. School, in Steamboat Springs. She has degrees in psychology, educational psychology and early childhood education. 

Ms. Devorah loves our community and loves working with the students. 

Annemarie Fruth has been working with children for many years and is now working at NES in the special education department, in the classroom and on the playground. 

Originally from Minnesota, Ms. Annemarie has lived in the Nederland area since the mid-80s. She raised her own children in Nederland. She loves horses and is a watercolor artist. She says, “NES is a great school and I’m happy to be a part of it.”

Liz Cooley is a new custodian at NES. Ms. Liz spent years as a speech pathologist. She has degrees from CU-Boulder and New Mexico State. She has lived in the Peak to Peak area for several years and is now her dad’s caretaker. Ms. Liz loves to garden, raise chickens and relax with yoga. 

Ms. Liz loves the challenge at NES as every day is different. She enjoys the kids and being around such friendly people. 

A native to Nederland, Jessica Hutchison is in the NES kitchen keeping our kids fed. Ms. Jessica has a degree from CU-Boulder in theater and has worked at The Boulder Dinner Theater, The Denver Victorian Playhouse, Dairy Center for the Arts and at Barnes and Noble. 

She has two children at NES and is a training to take the lead in organizing Peak to Peak soccer. She says that one of her biggest challenges is learning all the names of the kids at NES. Jessica says, “The kids’ excitement and energy is infectious. They are all special and I look forward to getting to know them.” 

Ms. Jessica is very busy with her family, but still finds time to read and knit. If you see her boys in a sweater, she likely made it. 

All staff and teachers at NES are an integral part of the school’s success. We welcome the new staff and hope they have a fantastic year. 

(Originally published in the October 3, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)