Music, Gifted and Talented, Technology
Jeanne Nelson
Education:
BS in Behavioral Science and Elementary Certification form Regis University.
Studies Masters of Curriculum and Instruction, Lesley College.
Experience:
- 13 years in Eagle County School District as a classroom teacher, technology teacher, music teacher, gifted teacher.
- 3 years at Stone Creek School Teaching K-8. Awards are on file.
- Preschool/Camp Director for 12 years prior to moving to the district.
Strengths:
Motivating students, high expectations for students, humor, challenging classroom environment, empowering students, molding self-disciplined citizens, professional, problem solver (my favorite thing to do) and a team player.
Personal:
I love to live life to the fullest every minute every day. I enjoy learning, skiing, hiking, walking the dog, and Jazzercise. I live with Guy Schoonmaker my husband and our dog. I have 2 children one, Erika who will be married this August and lives in Fort Collins and works with disable adults. My son, Tyson, lives in Durango and designs sprinkler and irrigation systems.
Special Education
Mandy Kent
Education:
BA from Western Michigan University in 2006 in Special Education in the areas of Learning Disabilities and Cognitive Impairments as well as a degree in Elementary Education.
Experience:
3 years at Canton High School in Canton, Michigan (between Detroit and Ann Arbor). This was a very unique setting as Canton was only one of three high schools on one campus. Students attended classes in all three buildings. The total number of students – 6,000! I also have an older brother with autism which has been a lifelong experience. This is my first year at Stone Creek.
Strengths:
Creative, enthusiastic, have high expectations for all students, have a sense of humor, compassionate, have great communication skills, team worker, and am highly motivated.
Personal:
I am from Farmington Hills, Michigan (metro Detroit area) and I am the youngest of three. I have a cat named Hector and a kitten named Scout. I have played the violin for over 10 years and love music. I even had the opportunity to travel to Russia to perform. After being introduced to Colorado by my boyfriend I spent my first summer here last year. I fell in love with it so much that I decided to stay!
Passion/Interests:
I love learning and am an avid reader. I also enjoy spinning, pilates, hiking, making jewelry, and am excited to learn how to ski.
Your Vision for SCCS:
To help students reach their full potential and become independent learners.
Art and Physical Education
Tara Goike
Education:
BS in Elementary Education with an Art Minor from Pennsylvania State University. Received a full scholarship for athletics to compete on Penn State’s Diving Team. Currently working on receiving a Master’s Degree.
Experience:
Art Teacher for Berry Creek Middle School, Red Canyon High School and Vail Valley Ski Academy for 6 years. Kindergarten and first grade teacher for Stonecreek School for 3 years. Currently the Art and Physical Education teacher for Stone Creek. Awarded a Fullbright full scholarship to travel to Japan as an Honored Teacher.
Strengths:
I am the Jack of all Trades! My passion is art and athletics and I could not be teaching anything else that I am so inspired, interested and dedicated to. I am organized, motivated and excited to teach all students in our school. Every student needs a chance to succeed and I feel elective classes are a way for children to express themselves individually and find their own strengths and happiness- I am here to help them achieve this!
Personal:
I have lived in the Vail Valley for 11 years now where I met my husband. We have a son and a brand new baby girl that we are so blessed with. To complete our home, we have 2 bernese mountain dogs that we adore! As a family we love to camp, ski, mountain bike and travel to beautiful beaches to surf.
I grew up in Pennsylvania as a trained athlete in gymnastics and then springboard diving where I achieved All-America status. I also played Lacrosse and was part of a Ballet company. Luckily my dad taught me how to ski when I was 5 years old and took us to Vermont every winter.
Passions / Interests:
I love to travel and I have had many exciting experiences abroad such as doing my student teaching in England, being a nanny in New Zealand, backpacking in Asia, working in volunteer camps in France and surfing at fun, remote beaches. I thrive on yoga and teach many classes for the past 5 years throughout the valley including children’s yoga. I also love photography and making/selling jewelry.
Your Vision for SCCS:
My vision is for all children to have a chance to receive a well rounded education where they can succeed in academics, athletics, arts, foreign language and technology.
Teacher Assistant
Lindsay Husta
Education:
BS in Biology and BA in Liberal Arts from University of Texas. Completed the UTeach teacher prepartion program while in college.
Experience:
I taught high school science for a semester in Austin, Texas before moving to Utah to become a field instructor at a wilderness therapy program for 2 years. I moved to the valley last November and became a teacher assistant here at Stone Creek. This year, I am also teaching Algebra.
Strengths:
I am good at responding to student needs and organization.
Personal:
I was born in San Antonio, Texas, grew up in Saudi Arabia, finished high school and college in Austin, Texas. After college I lived in Utah and worked a great job with a great schedule-8 days on 6 days off. In two years, I decided that I wanted a change, so I worked on an organic farm in Oregon for a season. While flying over the rockies at some point last year, I decided that I wanted to move to Colorado.
Passion / Interest:
I enjoy outdoor activites including rock climbing, biking, camping, etc in the summer, and I learned how to ski this past winter. Also, I really, really want to have a goat named Pepe.
Your Vision of SCCS:
I hope SCCS will be a place where students can learn to be independent learners and take responsibility for their lives.
