Meet our Team
Stone Creek School is led by a team of experienced educators with revolutionary ideas about inspiring children. They truly believe in Stone Creek and the core values of our program.
Katherine Lange, Assistant to the Principal
Lessons Learned in the Classroom: A Case Study Analysis of Differentiated Instruction" is the title of the dissertation for Katherine's Ph.D. in Educational Leadership expected in the fall of this year from Colorado State University. Katherine (Kat) returns home to the Vail area after spending the past year at schools in Hawaii and Oregon. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology in 1990 and her Masters in Special Education in 1994. For the last seven years, Katherine has completed Doctorate Research in methodology known as differentiated instruction, which is designed to meet a variety of students' needs in one heterogeneous classroom, at the high school level, by taking into account students' interest, readiness, and learning profile. She has worked for Mountain BOCES in Leadville as the Special Education Director Designee and for nine years she was Department Head/Teacher Special Education at Battle Mountain High School.
She was awarded the Eagle County Teacher of the Year Award for school year 2002-2003, also being nominated for Outstanding Eagle County Educator of the Year in 2000 and 2001.
Donna Baskins, 7th grade
Photo and Bio to come
Cindy Hester, 6th grade
Cindy earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in 1996 and her Masters at the University of Colorado - Boulder in Education, Equity, and Cultural Diversity in 2003. She was nominated for the Outstanding Eagle County Educator Award in 2001, 2003 and 2005. She recently returned from Japan where she particpated in a study of the Japanese Education System through the Japan Memorial Scholarship Program.
Cindy is an organized, highly motivated, enthusiastic elementary school educator who is committed to creating an environment where every child can be successful and independent.
Jen Gutmann, 5th Grade
Jen earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Science with an emphasis in Elementary Education from the University of Northern Colorado in 2002. She was a member of the Golden Key Honor Society and on the Deans' and Vice Presidents' lists. With the knowledge and understanding of how fifth graders develop and learn, Jen Gutmann provides instructional activities that meet diverse learning styles, critical thinking, and problem solving.
During her first year of teaching, Jen was nominated and awarded the Eagle County School District Rookie of the Year award for the 2004-2005 school year.
Amy Ryerson, 4th Grade
Amy earned her Bachelor of Science in Education, Elementary and Special Education with a concentration in Psychology from the University of Dayton in 1997 and her Masters of Education with an emphasis on Literacy from Regis University, Denver in 2002. Motivating children to continue or become independent thinkers, problem posers and problem solvers has been the trademark of Amy's career for the past nine years.
She wants her students to value and respect themselves, others, the community, and the environment.
Brittani Lutterman, 3rd grade
Brittani relocated from West Chester, PA to Vail in 1994 after earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. In 1998, she obtained her Elementary Education Certification from Regis University, which led to her a Master Degree through the University of Colorado Boulder in Education, Equity and Cultural Diversity in 2005. With enthusiasm, Brittani continually differentiates classroom activities and lessons while maintaining positive enthusiasm for all students.
In 2005-2006, Brittani was nominated and awarded Oustanding Eagle County Educator of the Year, also being nominated in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004.
Alison Hainline, 3rd Grade
Alison earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Human Development with a minor in Sociology from Boston College in 1995 and her Masters in Elementary Education from Boston University in 1998. Enthusiastic about teaching children is an understatement when talking about how Alison connects with her children in the classroom. She is an experienced teacher in both public and private elementary schools, and really cares about her students as individuals.
Danielle Towle, 2nd Grade
Danielle earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Providence College in Rhode Island, with a Double Major in Elementary Education and Special Education in 1997. A highly effective team player and facilitator for professional collaboration are just two of the many qualities that Danielle brings to Stone Creek. She has been dedicated to differentiated instruction, which challenges all students and sets them up for success.
Kate Smith, 2nd Grade
Miss Smith earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education and Psychology Endorsement at Western Washington University and began teaching under the direction of Betsy Hill in Medina, WA. She is excited to have the opportunity to continue working with her Betsy. Kate has taught second grade for three years and third grade for one year. She is enthusiastic about creating an environment of respect and joy for her students. She encourages her students to achieve excellence in academic areas, as well as in social interactions.
Siri Reynolds, 1st Grade
Siri earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from The College of Saint Rose, Albany, New York in 2003 and her Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction in 2006. While attending The College of Saint Rose, she was on the Deans List all four years, was a member of the National Honor Society (Phi Theta Kappa) and graduated Magna Cum Laude. She has excellent behavior management skills and brings enthusiasm and compassion into her classroom.
LJ Bredeson, 1st Grade
LJ earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education from Oregon State University - School of Home Economics in 1986. She has endorsements from the State of Colorado in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education. Extremely motivated, inspirational, and dedicated to the teaching profession are just some of the comments colleagues have used to describe LJ. LJ is genuinely interested in the student's well-being and academic/social growth. She is also proficient in Spanish.
Megan VanderTuin, Kindergarten
Megan earned her Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with an Emphasis in Liberal Arts and a Concentration in Ethnic and Gender Studies from the University of Northern Colorado in 2004. She earned the Educational Testing Service Recognition of Excellence by scoring among the top 15 percent of candidates nationwide. She is highly organized, extremely punctual, and very skilled at lesson planning. She has learned how to challenge very young children in a fun and productive manner.
Tara Goike, Kindergarten
Tara Goike earned her Bachelor of Arts degree at Penn State University, where she also minored in Art. She has more than 12 years of experience, and eight teaching in Eagle County Schools and the Ski Academy. Tara brings her experience as a world traveler into the classroom. In addition to backpacking across Asia, she worked as a nanny in New Zealand, a student teacher in England, and a work camp in France. At home, Tara is a student and teacher of yoga.
Jeanne Nelson, Music and Gifted Program
A highly sough-after educator with over 16 years of experience in Eagle County alone, Jeanne brings a wealth of knowledge to Stone Creek. Each class visits the Music Room weekly and participates in an annual musical drama. The needs of Gifted learners are addressed through group and individual sessions and activities. Jeanne earned her Masters of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from Lesley College in Cambridge, MA and her Bachelors in Science Certificate from Regis University in Denver.
Lynne Perry, Art
Continual collaboration with parents, students, teachers and community and the ability to develop, instruct and implement educational youth programs are just two of the many skills Lynne brings to Stone Creek. She has a history of high energy and high performance all with a positive attitude. A resident of Eagle County for over 16 years, Lynne is well-known and respected throughout the valley. Lynne earned her Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education in New York in 1988 and her Masters in Expressive Arts Therapy from Lesley College, Cambridge, MA in 1990. She comes to Stone Creek from Meadow Mountain Elementary where she was the art teacher for the past five years. She is also currently a teacher for the Youth Foundation and has been an instructor at Colorado Mountain College. Lynne is experienced in the fields of education, recreation, business and psychology. She is dedicated to the success of the individual child as a component, creative and unique member of society.
Ann Guggisberg, Spanish
From refuges and preschoolers, to online learners and college students, Ann has shared her love of language with a diverse learning population. From the Midwest and California to South America and New Zealand, she has honed her teaching skills cross continents and cultures. Ann learned the Spanish language in Venezuela. Here in Eagle County, Ann supervises the ESL program at Colorado Mountain College and instructs Spanish at SCS in grades K through 7.
Carrie Kirkutus, Office Manager
Carrie is a native of Colorado and moved to the Vail Valley in 1991. She is married and has three children Christina (10), Colton (7) and Brandon (7). She has always enjoyed working with children. Carrie has taught at the pre-school level for 2 years and has been a children's ski instructor for 4 years.
