Heather Perez – Preschool

Hello, my name is Heather Perez and I am a preschool teacher at Reunion Elementary. Teaching has always been a passion of mine and I am absolutely thrilled to be part of the new Reunion community. As a preschool teacher I have the unique opportunity to help set children up for success in the rest of their school career by instilling necessary social, life, and academic skills. I received my bachelor's degree in Human Development with a focus in early childhood education from the Metropolitan State University of Denver. Previously, I have taught kindergarten, 1st grade, and preschool in the private sector for 8 years.

My husband and I live with our fur baby Nala who is a Corgi-Husky mix. I absolutely love the outdoors and spend as much time out there as possible. I can often be found either running or volunteering at many of the local running events.

I am very excited to partner with you and your child this year!

Jennifer Hufnagel – Preschool

Hi! My name is Jennifer Hufnagel (Ms. Jen).  This is my third year teaching in the district.  I have a master’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado in Early Childhood Special Education. I taught kindergarten my first year teaching and have been teaching preschool for the past year.  I am thrilled to be teaching preschool at Reunion! I am looking forward to a year of learning, fun, and adventure!

I am a Colorado native and enjoy all Colorado has to offer.  When I am not teaching I spend my time horseback riding and hiking.  I challenge myself to hike a different 14er each summer.  So far I have hiked 4.  My husband and I live on a small farm in North Brighton.  We have horses, chickens, 2 cats, and 2 dogs.  

Jaclyn Chavez – Primary

Hi, my name is Jackie Chavez. I have been teaching for 12 years. I taught preschool for 1 year and have been teaching kindergarten for the last 11 years. I love teaching kindergarten and helping students get their education off to a great positive start! I have spent the past 3 years teaching at Northeast Elementary school and before that I was teaching in Aurora Public Schools.  I have degrees in both Elementary and Early Childhood Education from Hastings College in Nebraska.  I am very passionate about giving students a strong start in their education that helps them develop a love for learning and sets them up for success in school and life.

Outside of school I love spending time with my family and being outside. I have three little kids that keep me busy with their activities and interests. We love going to the zoo, science museum, and children’s museum as a family.  We also enjoy running and going for bike/stroller rides to all the different parks in our community.  My own personal hobbies are running, playing soccer, and playing games or cards with friends.

I am so excited to be a part of Reunion Elementary School. I can’t wait to help build a school where all students can be successful, happy, and feel valued. I am excited to help start traditions and build a wonderful school to be a part of the already wonderful community of Reunion. I look forward to working with all of your to build the school of our dreams.

Marcie Johnson – Primary

My name is Marcie Johnson and I have been teaching in the Brighton 27 J School District for eleven years where I have taught Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade.  I am married and enjoy spending time with my husband and my two dogs.  I have three grown children and one beautiful granddaughter.  My husband and I spend a lot time in the mountains camping and fishing.  We also enjoy playing golf!

I love so many aspects of teaching and being in a classroom with all of my students.  I am excited to be moving to Reunion Elementary next year!  I look forward to meeting all of the new families along with being involved in planning and creating a wonderful learning environment for the students.

April Bartashevich – Primary

   My name is April Bartashevich and I am thrilled to be joining the Reunion team and meeting all the wonderful families that will make up this learning community! I am coming your way from New Hampshire where I have taught for the past nine years.  I have spent the last four years teaching second grade and taught kindergarten for the first five years of my teaching career.  I think being a teacher is one of the best jobs around! Children have a wonderful sense of curiosity and watching their brains grow each year is amazing.

    Sometimes students think that their teachers live at school. When I am not at school I love spending time with my dog Wheezy, as well as friends and family. Wheezy is a

wonderful companion for walking and hiking, which we cannot wait to do out in Colorado! I also love to cook, kayak, read, stay active and I am working on learning the ukulele.

  Starting this wonderful journey at Reunion and building a learning community with all of you is beyond exciting.  I cannot wait to dive into creating, exploring and navigating the many firsts we will experience together this fall!  

Stephanie Flynn – Primary

My name is Stephanie Flynn and I am thrilled to be a team member at Reunion Elementary! I have been a proud member of the 27J community for the last ten years and couldn’t imagine being anywhere else! Teaching is my passion.  I love working with students and helping them reach their goals. I have experience teaching 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder with a major in American History and Elementary Education. I then went on to graduate from the University of Colorado, Denver with my Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction and a K-6 reading endorsement.

I moved to Colorado 19 years ago from Pennsylvania. Like everyone else, I came to Colorado because I love Colorado and the outdoor lifestyle it offers!  When I’m not teaching you will most likely find me in the mountains hiking, snowshoeing, or skiing with my family and rambunctious dog, Cooper. I am a proud mama of two children: Molly, 6, and Jameson, 4. I also love to read, work on art projects, play cards, and do DIY house projects with my husband, Eric.

I am honored and excited to be a part of Reunion Elementary!   I am looking forward to building strong relationships with the students, families, and staff members of Reunion and I am excited to help solidify a school culture that always puts kids first. I believe all students can learn and I am committed to helping each and every one of them reach their full potential. This will be a very exciting year full of firsts and excellence.  I can’t wait for the journey to begin!

Corrie Sahling - Primary

My name is Corrie Sahling, and I am so excited to be a part of the Reunion community!

I come from a background in journalism; I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Media Communications from Colorado State University. After several jobs and internships with major newspapers and magazines in Denver, I finally gave into my passion for teaching. I am currently working towards my Master’s Degree in Education through Adams State University and the Boettcher Teacher Residency. I am wrapping up a year of residency at Southeast Elementary School, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to continue my teaching career at Reunion!

I am a Colorado native, so I’m pretty sure I never had a choice in my obsession for the outdoors! I love to go camping, hike 14ers, and ski in the winter. I am extremely close to my parents and my younger brother, so I spend most of my weekends with them — we can often be found riding and racing dirt bikes. Some other pieces of my life

include knowing nothing other than spending Sunday’s cheering for the Broncos and getting lost in every book I can get my hands on!

I am beyond thrilled to be a part of the Reunion community as a teacher, and I cannot wait to see Reunion Elementary become a place that our students and families are proud to be a part of. I believe in creating a safe environment where all students can push their thinking to go beyond their goals. I look forward to getting to know all our families, and being a part of the amazing place Reunion will become!

Sarah Iversen – Intermediate Teacher

I cannot wait to get started on this adventure with each of you.  My name is Sarah Iversen and I am so thrilled to be a part of Reunion Elementary.  I am currently teaching fourth grade at Landmark Academy.  I have been at Landmark for eight years and have gotten to know this community very well.  I graduated from the University of Wyoming (Go Pokes!) with a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education and an emphasis in Cultural Diversity.  During my eight years at Landmark, I have been awarded CCIRA’s Past President’s Memorial Award and National Heritage Academy’s Diamond Award. Currently, I am researching universities and Masters Programs to further my education.

In my free time, I love spending time with my husband, two children and our Golden Retriever, Murphy.  We love going to the mountains for a weekend and exploring different mountain towns and eating at new restaurants.  When we’re not exploring new places in Colorado, we love traveling out of state.  Some of our favorite places to travel to are San Diego, CA and Mexico. Other than traveling, I enjoy baking sweet treats for my family and myself, reading, watching movies and getting out of the house on the weekends!

As part of the Reunion Community, I am excited for the opportunity to give our neighborhood children a great education.  Being able to build positive partnerships with the families of Reunion Elementary is one of my biggest goals for this school.  By creating positive relationships between school and home, our children will have the ability to achieve any of their dreams and be successful moving forward in their lives.  I am looking forward to helping create and maintain a safe, caring and academically excellent school for our children.

Brenda Haffner – Intermediate Teacher

I am Brenda Haffner and this is my 24th year teaching mostly 5th and 6th grades. There is nothing in the world that I would rather do than teach.  This has been the most rewarding career I could have asked for.  I love developing relationships with my students and their parents, and the best thing is for former students to allow me to be a part of their lives long after they have left my classroom!  My husband and I live in rural Weld County on a few acres.   We have 3 sons, 2 daughters-in-law, and one more in June and 5 grandchildren, which are the light of our lives.  When I am not at work, I enjoy spending time with our growing family, traveling, and playing.  I can’t wait to be a part of the Reunion Elementary Community this fall and getting to know all the families and staff!

Rayna Delvalle - IntermediateMy name is Rayna DelValle and I am so excited to have the opportunity to work

with the Reunion Community. I have been teaching in the District for the past eleven years.  I have experience teaching third and fourth grade as well as middle school.  I graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences in Elementary Education. My goal as a teacher is to help each of my learners reach their fullest potential and to instill in them a love for learning.

I am a proud Colorado native!  I have a strong connection and respect for our district because I myself attended and graduated from Brighton High School.  I have a wonderful son who is in the fourth grade.  He takes up most of my free time, but some hobbies I enjoy are traveling, reading, and hiking Colorado’s beautiful mountain trails. My husband and I also enjoy cooking delicious peruvian dishes from his home country Peru.      

I strongly believe in the importance of cultivating respectful supportive relationships among students, teachers, and parents.  I am honored to be part of a community that will work together to create a school culture that will center around student achievement and success.  

Kristin Morin – Intermediate

I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to have the opportunity to meet and work with you and your children in the coming year! My name is Kristin Morin and I’ve had the pleasure of teaching intermediate students for the past 5 years. I have bachelor’s degrees in Journalism and German from Michigan State University and spent 6 years as a photojournalist before getting my teaching license from the University of Colorado Denver. After that, I completed my master’s degree at UCD, concentrating on teaching in diverse contexts and cultures.

As a gal originally hailing from sea-level, I still love spending time with my family on the Great Lakes. Summertime, for me, often looks like Michigan fun in the sun with my folks, siblings, and the three cutest nieces/nephew that you’ve ever seen! Here, at elevation, I love photography, rec softball, reading for pleasure, hiking, camping, and doing projects around my house.

I’m so excited to see the visions for Reunion Elementary becoming a reality! I feel so fortunate to be in on the ground floor of this project and integrating with the families and students in the community. Together we can create a safe space that encourages students to take-risks, build authentic relationships, and aspire to be lifelong learners. Here we go!

Jean Meakins - Intermediate

Hello Reunion families!  My name is Jean Meakins, and I am so excited to be a part of Reunion Elementary and the group of individuals who are committed to the community.  I finished my undergraduate work at Colorado State and Regis University.  I earned my master’s degree in Elementary Education at the University of Colorado.

This year marks my 15th year in education.  I love teaching and believe in creating a comfortable community with students and parents.  I have worked as a first grade and second grade teacher.  I have also taught math and ELL interventions.  In 2009, I was fortunate enough to teach Kindergarten outside Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.  

When I am not in the classroom, I love to spend time with my two elementary aged children.  We love to swim and enjoy the outdoors.  My boys and I love to cook and they also devour our great creations.  Spending time together is precious for our family. 

My favorite quote from Roald Dahl is, “Every child has a spark in them; it just needs to be lit."

Rachel Strayhall – School Psychologist

Hello everyone, my name is Rachel Strayhall! I first began working in schools as a paraprofessional in Kansas. I then went on to earn my degree in School Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. During that time, I worked in the Chicago Public Schools system followed by Niles Township High School in Skokie, Illinois. For the past three years I have worked in a therapeutic day school for students with emotional and behavioral difficulties.

Some of my favorite things to do are follow Royals baseball, go hiking, practice yoga, do crafts, and bake.

I’m very excited to be making the move out to the Denver area from Chicago in the fall and to be part of the first group of people to work at Reunion. I’m excited to bring some of my experiences into a new building.

Carrie Ellis – Special Education Teacher

     My name is Carrie Ellis, and I am so excited to be part of the Reunion community and team.  I am completing my 17th year of teaching.  My experiences include grades 3-6, in both general education and special education.  I have worked in 27J for the last ten years at Southeast Elementary School, and most recently at Turnberry Elementary School.   I received my bachelor’s degree from California State University in Psychology. I went on to continue my education at National University in California to receive my teaching credential with an emphasis in Cross-cultural Teaching.  Several years ago I finished my master’s degree at Grand Canyon University with a degree in Cross-Categorical Special Education.      When I am not at school, I enjoy spending time with my family.  My husband (who also works for the district), and my two sons ages 8 and 13.  We love to vacation both near and far, and visit our family members on the East Coast.  Born and raised in Pennsylvania, we try to get back to see the scenic beaches, visit friends and family that still remain, and eat a delicious “real” Philly cheesesteak.  On the weekends you may find me at one of my sons’ sporting events cheering them on.      I look forward to meeting the family and community members who will make Reunion Elementary School an amazing place to be.  I believe together, we will strive for greatness while creating an atmosphere where all students are valued, respected and encouraged to be a part of the learning process.  I cannot wait to begin building relationships with our students while providing them with a safe environment to ensure we grow together as a team.

Sara Prue – Special Education Severe Needs

My name is Sara Prue! I was born and raised in Oregon. I received my bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University in 2007 and my Master’s in Special Education from Pacific University in 2008. I have taught students with significant needs for the past 10 years. I have taught students from kindergarten all the way to age 21. I believe in teaching the whole child and that every child has the capability to learn! Teaching diverse learners has become my passion and I’m so excited to work with the students of Reunion Elementary School! 

My husband and I moved to the Reunion area in 2011. We welcomed our son Liam to our family in October 2015. When I am not teaching, I love spending time with my family and friends. We like to go camping, cook yummy foods, go to the Denver zoo and cheer on the Oregon Ducks!

Monica Griffin – Speech Pathologist

Hi! My name is Monica Griffin.  I am excited to be your speech-language pathologist at Reunion Elementary!  This is my seventh year at School District 27J and my twentieth year of providing intervention for students with communication needs.  I have a master’s degree from Baylor University in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a bachelor's degree from Ouachita Baptist University in Speech-Language Pathology. I look forward to being in the Reunion Community.

I grew up on a farm in Arkansas and enjoy going home to see my family.  They enjoy coming to see me in Colorado, too!  We like riding bikes; going swimming and playing games.  I will be getting married on December 30th, and my new last name will be Petersen. Josh Linville – Physical Education Teacher

My name is Josh Linville and I am very excited to teach Physical Education at Reunion Elementary.  I graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in 2007 with a Bachelors in Sport and Exercise Science with an Emphasis in Physical Education and again in 2010 to receive a Masters of Arts in Teaching.  I have been with Landmark Academy for the past 10 years as the Athletic Director and Physical Education teacher.  

I am a Colorado native originally from Colorado Springs.  In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my wife Jessica and my 2 sons; Timmy is 6 years old and Eli is 3 years old.  I also enjoy wood working, DIY projects, CrossFit, hunting, and other outdoor adventures.  One of my summer passions is to hike 14ers.  So far I have hiked a total of 18 summits.   

One of my favorite parts of teaching Physical Education is challenging students to achieve success outside of their comfort zones.  My purpose is to guide students in the process of becoming physically active for a lifetime.  I am looking forward to creating lasting relationships with each student that enters my Gym doors.

Ben Leavitt – Music

My name is Ben Leavitt, I’m a musician and educator currently living in Aurora, Colorado. Before working at Reunion Elementary, I taught general music and band to students in grades K-8 in the Denver metro area, since moving to Colorado in 2014.

From 2006-2014, I worked for the Brockton, Massachusetts, Public Schools as Instrumental Music Teacher. Working with students in grades 4-8, I taught woodwind, brass, and percussion classes and directed large ensemble rehearsals in multiple schools at the elementary and middle school levels. I have taught private saxophone lessons for over a decade to students of all levels.

Outside of school, I can be found performing on saxophone with the Colorado Wind Ensemble. In the Boston area, I was a member of the Metropolitan Wind Symphony, playing principal saxophone and serving on the Board of Directors, performing regularly with the saxophone ensemble, Sultans of Sax. With equal training in classical and jazz saxophone, I have performed with various groups including musical theater, saxophone ensemble, community concert band and jazz big band, and have shared the stage with industry giants including Branford Marsalis, Clark Terry, and Benny Green.

I hold a Master of Music from the American Band College of Sam Houston State University and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of New Hampshire.

I live with my wife, Jackie, and our dog, Coltrane. I enjoy hiking, mountain biking, skiing, yoga, and quiet walks with the dog.