Staff List

		Principal Beth Larson [email protected] VM: 303-982-7913	I have worked in Jeffco since 2000, teaching 3rd, 5th, and 6th grade. I was an assistant principal for 3 years and a principal for the last 6 years. I am thrilled to be the principal of Rooney Ranch! I grew up in the Chicago area and have been in Colorado since 1994. My husband and I have 4 children, 2 boys and 2 girls. They have all gone through Jeffco schools. I am a huge lacrosse fan! Three of my children played in college. I love being outdoors. On the weekends I try to go mountain biking, hiking, or skiing. I feel fortunate to live in our wonderful state.
		Principal's Secretary Heidi Hagar [email protected] VM: 303-982-9632	I've had the pleasure of working at Rooney Ranch since 2014. I moved to Colorado in 1992 from the Green Mountain State of Vermont. I enjoy downhill skiing, paddleboarding, and mountain biking. Gardening, baking, and painting a room a new color! I have 3 sons, one in the work force, one at Texas Tech University, and one at Arvada West High School. I love my job and my co-workers are like family!
		Attendance/Enrollment Secretary Angie Campbell [email protected] VM: 303-982-
		Health Aide Mandi Graw [email protected] VM: 303-982-9620	Originally from the Chicago area, I moved to Colorado in 1998 to seek better weather and LOVE IT HERE! I have been married to my wonderful husband Heath for 16 years and we have 2 boys. I love running, skiing, traveling, spending time with my family, crocheting, puzzling watching soccer, fostering dogs and walking my French Bulldog Gertie. This is my sixth year at Rooney and I am honored to be working with such an amazing and fun staff! I love my job!
		Instructional Coach Angela Finke [email protected] VM: 303-982-1846	I love working at Rooney Ranch! This is my 5th year here and 15th year in education. I'm a Colorado native who grew up in Golden and attended Jeffco schools. I went to college in Portland, Oregon and then returned to the state I love to begin my career in education. After teaching for 10 years, I changed roles and became an Instructional Coach to support teaching and learning in a new way. When I'm not at school, I enjoy spending time with my family, heading to the mountains, seeing live music, or cheering on the Rockies.
		Digital Teacher-librarian Natalie Schiele [email protected] VM: 303-982-7355	This is my 11th year at Rooney and 22nd year in education. As a Green Mountain grad, I feel very fortunate to come back to the area I grew up in. In addition to my role as digital teacher-librarian at Rooney, I am also the lead for the district's Elementary Book Review Committee. I'm a Rooney parent of a 3rd grader and have a 6th grader at Dunstan. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, gardening, exercising, playing live trivia, reading a good book, or watching a few of my favorite Netflix series with my husband.
		Specials-Art Bo Oryshchyn [email protected] VM: 303-982-8308	I am a Colorado native and grew up in the Lakewood area. I attended Jeffco schools, Slater for Elementary, Lakewood Junior High (before middle schools) and Lakewood High School. I have been teaching for 24 years and this is my 10th year here at Rooney! I love being at Rooney and teaching art to the wonderful and creative students here! I have two daughters who attend High School in Jeffco and my wife is also a Jeffco employee. We are a Jeffco family! In my spare time I enjoy doing art, woodworking and going on hikes with my wife and family.
		Specials- Music Kelsey Skiles [email protected] VM: 303-982-9444	I am a west coast transplant who as loved living in Colorado for the past 8 years. I have a degree in music education from Azusa Pacific University and a masters in Curriculum and Instruction from University of Denver. This is my second year at Rooney Ranch and my 7th year teaching music full time. I am thrilled to be a part of this vibrant, fun community! When I'm not teaching music I love to bike, perform music and improv comedy, play with my dog, and play in the mountains while hiking and skiing.
		Specials-P.E. Joel Halliwell [email protected] VM: 303-982-7846	I am a transplant from the East coast. Having grown up in the small town of Noank, Connecticut, I moved to Colorado in 1992. I began teaching in 1993 at Mount St. Vincent Home in Denver for a few years before becoming a Jefferson County teacher at Leawood Elementary School. I taught there for six years before coming over to Rooney Ranch Elementary. I have now been at Rooney for 17 years and love every day, as every day offers so many different opportunities. I have also been a softball and baseball coach at D’Evelyn High School since 1995. Coaching gives me the opportunity to work with both elementary and high school students. I continue to learn new teaching techniques on a daily basis. I love being at Rooney Ranch with all the students and staff that have made my teaching career such a wonderful experience.
		Psychologist Chris Mattes [email protected] VM: 303-982-0913	I have been at Rooney Ranch for 10 years, and this is my 15th year in Jeffco. Before I was a school psychologist, I worked as a commercial photographer in the Denver area. Currently, my family is very school-oriented; my wife is a middle school teacher, my oldest son is attending graduate school at CU Denver and my youngest son is junior at Western State Colorado University. In my spare time I enjoy outdoor activities including hiking, skiing, and fishing. My wife and I are finishing a log cabin located in South Park. I also fly my hot air balloon, Skywalker, whenever I get the chance.
		SERS- Full time Shawn Demers [email protected] VM: 303-982-	I'm very excited to begin another year at Rooney Ranch Elementary! I am a SERS Team member and will be supporting students, parents and staff within this wonderful community. Not only have I spent my entire career here in Jeffco , I also grew up here, going to Leawood Elementary, Ken Caryl Middle School and Columbine High School. I continued my education at Colorado State and then the University of Colorado. In my spare time I enjoy mountain biking, snowboarding, hiking and spending time with family and friends. I've live here in Green Mountain, so I am thrilled to be a part of the Rooney Ranch and greater Green Mountain community!
		1/2 Time SERS Cathy Gonzales

		Speech Therapy Jen Knolmayer [email protected] VM: 303-982-9617	I am excited to be back at Rooney Ranch to provide Speech and Language Services. I was born and raised in Wisconsin (Go Packers ), and attended grad school at the University of Northern Colorado. Since then I have lived and worked in Texas, Washington and Minnesota but now am thrilled to call Colorado home. My husband and I have three wonderful, active boys who keep us busy with football, baseball, band and wrestling. I love to run, ski, hike, camp and boat but most importantly I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I am looking forward to a great year at Rooney Ranch.
		Social Emotional Learning Specialist Julia Henrichs [email protected] VM: 303-982-9980	It is my second year at Rooney. I’m so excited to be a part this wonderful school community to support Social Emotional Learning in the classroom as well as at home. Like Mr. Rooney, I am originally a farm girl from Iowa. I moved to Colorado in 2006 to earn my Masters in Community and School Counseling from Denver Seminary. I worked for 4 years as an ECE-8 school counselor in DPS and another 3 years supporting counselors district-wide. I spent the last several years at home with my three beautiful girls. During this time, I was still supporting social emotional learning by supporting moms and coordinating speakers for a local MOPS group. My 5 year old twin girls now attend kinder at Hutchinson along with my 7 year old daughter, where I will also be working part-time.

		Kindergarten Amy Eikermann [email protected] VM: 303-982-9628	This will be my 5th year teaching Kindergarten and I am looking forward to an exciting year! I've been at Rooney Ranch for 15 years. I've had a few different roles here and one of them was as a parent. My children graduated from Rooney Ranch (they're all grown up now - 21-year-old twins and a 19-year-old), but I still remember dropping them off for their first day of Kindergarten and how bittersweet it felt. Please know your kiddo will be loved by me, as well as every other staff member at Rooney! I love living in Colorado (I'm a transplant from Ohio), and my favorite place is the mountains. I love gardening, puzzles, and spending time with my family. Here's to a wonderful year - let the adventure begin! !
		Kindergartern Jennifer Cook [email protected] VM: 303-982-2861	I grew up in Arvada and am a Jefferson County Public School graduate. This is my 30th year teaching. I have taught 1st, 2nd, been the Library Media Teacher, and now Kindergarten. I have 2 fabulous children. My son Robinson is an tenth grader and my daughter Addison is a seventh grader. My husband is also in education. I am excited for another great year at Rooney Ranch!
		Kindergarten Ann Lee [email protected] VM: 303-982-8323	We have 3 children and 3 dogs! Our oldest daughter is a sophomore at Colorado Mesa University. Our son is a junior at Dakota Ridge High School and our youngest daughter is a freshman at Dakota Ridge. Our family likes traveling, camping, hiking, and exploring the great outdoors. This is starting my 11th year living in beautiful Colorado, but I am starting my 29th year of teaching. I absolutely adore kids and teaching at Rooney Ranch!
		Kindergarten Beth Quinn [email protected] VM: 303-982-0284	I am beyond thrilled to be a teacher at Rooney Ranch Elementary! I have been a Jeffco teacher since 2002 – spending my years at Little and Red Rocks Elementary Schools before ending up here. Kyle (a GMHS alumni) and I have been married for over 18 years. We have 3 children…Devon is in 10th, Izze is in 9th, (both at GMHS) and Brooklyn is in 6th at Dunstan. I “love” to run….so you might see me out & about hitting the pavement. Besides running, I love to hike with my family, swim, travel, and have dance parties!
		1st Grade Kelly Fox [email protected] VM: 303-982-9615	I completed my Masters in Education in June of 2014 from the University of Denver. Teaching is my 2nd career after working for non-profit's for nearly 10 years. I was raised in Littleton, Colorado and attended Jeffco Schools. I graduated from Chatfield Senior High. I currently live in the Ken Caryl Valley with my husband, four sons and step-daughter. When I am not in the classroom I love to go camping or skiing with my family and spend time with friends.
		1st Grade Billie Jo McCurdy [email protected] VM: 303-982-9585	I've been a teacher at Rooney Ranch Elementary for 23 years (currently starting my 24th year). Throughout my career, I have taught several grades (first, second, third, and a 3rd/4th multi-grade class). I feel very fortunate to have been a teacher at this school my entire career. I can honestly say that the Rooney community (both staff and families who have attended our school) are like family to me. I'm truly lucky to have had the chance to work in such a supportive community. When I'm not teaching, I love spending lots of time with my family. My husband, Rich, and I enjoy going on long bike rides and hikes in the mountains.
		1st Grade Kathleen Scott [email protected] VM: 303-982-9605	I grew up in Lakewood and graduated from Green Mountain High School. I have been a teacher at Rooney Ranch for 27 years. I am married with two children. My daughter will be attending her second year in college and my son will be a senior in high school. I enjoy riding bikes with my family, spending time in the mountains, going on vacations and hiking with our dog. I love teaching at Rooney Ranch and I am looking forward to another great year.
		1st Grade Debbie Taylor [email protected] VM: 303-982-0588	My name is Mrs. Taylor and this will be my 8th year here at Rooney Ranch and my 13th year of teaching. I am so excited to continue my journey in teaching first grade and working with all of you. Rooney Ranch has a special place in my heart, one being my neighborhood school, and second this is where I began my teaching career as a student teacher. I am a Jeffco graduate and love being a part of this amazing community. I have a beautiful family, my husband, 2 energetic boys, and our super fun-loving golden retriever. I love spending time outdoors with my family, especially camping, hiking, and skiing. We love traveling together and exploring! I am from Texas and have lived in Colorado for over 30 years. I am so excited to be teaching your child this year and look forward to a great year! WE ARE TEAM TAYLOR!
		2nd Grade Danielle Zelus [email protected] VM: 303-982-8748	Hi families! My name is Danielle Zelus and I am thrilled to be back with my Rooney Family. I started my teaching journey here 8 years ago and have finally made my way back "home". I grew up in the Green Mountain area, graduated from Green Mountain High School and have been an active part of the community ever since. Over the last couple years, I have gone to teach in China, got married, and now have two boys - 3 and 6 months, who of course run my world. Besides that I love running traveling whenever I get the opportunity!
		2nd Grade Jennifer Swaim [email protected] VM: 303-982-9538	I am a Jeffco Public Schools graduate. I grew up in the Green Mountain area and attended Hutchinson, Dunstan and Green Mountain High School. I then went to the University of Northern Colorado for my undergraduate and University of Phoenix for my graduate degree. I have been teaching at Rooney Ranch for 14 years. I love everything about Rooney Ranch; it's a great place to be! When I am not teaching, I love spending time with my family. I have a baby girl, Raegan, who was born in February, and a black lab named Koko. I enjoy cooking, indoor cycling, working out, reading, traveling, basketball, and all the amazing things Colorado has to offer! I am looking forward to another great year at Rooney!
		2nd Grade Juliana Felten [email protected] VM: 303-982-	I am so lucky to be a teacher at Rooney Ranch! I am a Colorado native and grew up in Conifer. I will be back for my 7th year at Rooney after a short hiatus with my pandemic baby. My husband, daughter, and I, live in Arvada with our mini Aussie, Nala. I love to read, hike, play volleyball, and spend time with my family. I am looking forward to another great year!
		2nd Grade Kim O'Byrne [email protected] VM: 303-982-9346	I am thrilled to be a part of the wonderful Rooney community; this truly is the best place to work and learn. I have taught grades Pre-K~2nd grade in Houston, Englewood, and Jefferson County. I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Northern Colorado and my master's in education degree from Regis University. I am married to a supportive husband, John, and we have two beautiful daughters: Kalyn and Heidi. Kalyn is a Colorado State University graduate, and she has a great job with a construction company. Heidi is a junior at CU Denver. I am a Colorado native, and I love spending time with my family skiing, golfing, and traveling. I am looking forward to a great year in second grade!
		3rd Grade Trista Morrell [email protected] VM 303-982-9588	Oh my heck! I LOVE Rooney Ranch! We have an amazing community, a supportive staff and the greatest kiddos at this school. This is my 9th year teaching at Rooney, and my 13th year teaching. I have taught in Englewood and Douglas County school districts. I have a creative and adventurous daughter, Lilly, who is in 8th grade. My favorite things: family time, being in nature, walking my puppy and all things DISNEY and traveling with Lilly. I love teaching, great music, and laughing with those around me. I look forward to another wonderful year at Rooney, I know it will be a magical journey!
		3 ^rd Grade Vanessa Metskas [email protected] VM: 303-982-9451	I'll always be a Mountain Lion at heart! Being a Colorado native, I grew up in the Green Mountain area and even attended Rooney Ranch as a child. It's so great to see how things have come full circle! Now that I'm a mom and living in the neighborhood, I look forward to seeing my little one grow up in this community! It holds a special place in my heart. This is my eighth year teaching and fifth year at Rooney. When I'm not teaching, I enjoy paddle boarding, trying new restaurants, and spending quality family time with my husband Alex and son Emmitt!

		3rd Grade A.J. Brown [email protected] VM 303-982-9560	This is my 12th year here at Rooney, and I am so grateful to be here. I have an amazing wife named Vivi, an awesome 3 year old daughter, Noelle, and a stubborn, but great furry four-legged kid, Maverick. I spend most of my free time hanging out with Noelle, remodeling our house, playing frisbee with Maverick, and watching the Broncos.
		3rd Grade Laura Kendall [email protected] VM:	I am proud to be a Rooney Ranch Mountain Lion and beyond grateful to have the opportunity to work in such a wonderful community! I am a Colorado native, growing up in Evergreen and graduating from Clear Creek High School before earning my BA in English and Elementary Education from the University of Northern Colorado. My career path after college lead me into the ski industry for many years and finally brought me back to the classroom in 2008. I am excited to continue in third grade and begin my eleventh year at Rooney Ranch. I have a fun-loving and supportive family including my husband Jeff, son Taylor (19) and daughter, Katie Bea (16). We are passionate skiers and mountain bikers, enjoy eating sushi and playing with our 4-year old Shih-poo, Zeus!
		4th grade Joanna LaGrange J [email protected] VM: 303-982-8478	Hello! I feel so fortunate to be a member of this amazing community! I am a Colorado native and a product of Jefferson county schools. I grew up in Evergreen and graduated from Evergreen High School. I then received my bachelor's degree from the University of Colorado at Denver. I later went back to school and received my master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction . This is my 11th year teaching and I love it! When I am not teaching, I like spending time with my husband Shane and daughters Alexa (16) and Madeleine (14) playing in the mountains snowboarding, hiking, and camping. I am excited for a fantastic year in 4th grade!
		4th Grade Amanda Mikel Amanda.Mikel @jeffco.k12.co.us VM 303-982-9438	Hello Families! I am so excited to be back at Rooney this year! I was born and raised in the Green Mountain community (Foothills, Dunstan, GMHS) and my husband and I have chosen to raise our family here, too. We have 2 amazing kids (Fiona and Christian) and 2 silly dogs (Lulu and Gus). We absolutely love this area and all the amazing things it has to offer. When I am not at school I love to golf, snowboard, hike, watch the Broncos, and of course play with my family. This will be my 12th year teaching and I can’t believe it! Time sure does fly when you are having fun! I received my bachelor’s degree from Metro State University and then continued on to get my master’s degree at Regis University. I am eager for this year to start, and I am looking forward to another fabulous year here at Rooney!
		4th Grade Desiree McCracken [email protected] VM 303-982-9560
		4th Grade Al Lago, Jr. [email protected] VM 303-982-9573	Hello! I was born and raised in Colorado and went to the following Jefferson County Public Schools: Westgate Elementary, Carmody Junior High, and Bear Creek High School. I completed my undergraduate work, teacher certification,and master’s work at the University of Colorado at Denver. This will be my 16th year at Rooney Ranch! I have taught 4th grade for the past four years. I love teaching and inspiring children to learn in ways that are meaningful to them.
		5th Grade Vicky Maher [email protected] VM 303-982-9704	I am thrilled to be returning to Rooney Ranch teaching fifth grade again. My career began in Chicago Public Schools where I taught for five years, and then taught in Evanston, Illinois for almost four years. I feel lucky that I now call Rooney my home! I love that I have the opportunity to teach where my daughter attends school. Family time is the most important time in our house and we spend it attending many kids' sporting events, movie nights, skiing or visiting family in Chicago. I am looking forward to a wonderful journey with the fifth graders this year!
		5th Grade Nick Sontag [email protected] VM 303-982-9626	This will be my twelfth year teaching at Rooney Ranch, and I think it will be the best one yet! I feel very fortunate to be a part of this vibrant and inclusive school community, and truly enjoy helping students discover new skills and abilities. Outside the classroom, my family loves to be outdoors. Our favorite pastimes are mountain biking, skate skiing, and exploring any place new.
		5th Grade Nate Mueller [email protected] VM 303-982-9719	This is my sixth year teaching and am overjoyed to be spending it back at Rooney Ranch. I grew up in Michigan, but moved out to this fine state in 2008 and attended college at UNC. In my spare time I enjoy hiking, biking, drumming, and playing the ukulele.
		Para Professional Pam Banks [email protected]	I have three wonderful children, all alumni of Rooney Ranch Elementary. I have worked at Rooney for 20 years. I am a grandma to Morgan and another one on the way!

		Para Professional Bernadette Castro [email protected]	I have been a Para at Rooney Ranch for 11 years and I love the community and staff. This is my fifth year working in Kindergarten and I love the little ones. I am married and have two daughters who both went through Rooney Ranch Elementary.
		Para Professional Mrs. Cook's Kinder Para Elizabeth Wilder
		Para Professional Erin Hoffman Mrs. Quinn's Kinder Para
		Para Professional Mrs. Eikermann's Kinder Para Lauren Ferchau &
		Para Professional Paula Main Library/Intermediate grades	I have been a Para at Rooney Ranch for 18 years. I have been married for 37years and have a son and two daughters. We also have a German Shepherd and two cats. In my free time I like to read or watch movies.
		Para Pro Wendy Smith SPED para educator [email protected]	This is my tenth consecutive year serving at Rooney Ranch, the first three years as a parent volunteer, and currently as a special ed para educator. I am the mom of two daughters, both of whom attended Rooney Ranch, and are now 7th and 8th graders at Dunstan Middle School. Originally from Texas, we've lived in Colorado for 15 years. I have an undergrad degree in psychology and a masters in international business. I am passionate and dedicated when it comes to working with, and teaching, the wonderful kiddos here at Rooney Ranch.
		Facility Manager Mark Everman mark.everma[email protected] VM 303-982-9598	This is my third year at Rooney Ranch and my 6th year with Jeffco Custodial. I grew up and went to school in the Green Mountain area, attending Devinny, Dunstan and Green Mountain High School. I love baseball and played all through high school and into college. In my spare time I enjoy attending any and all Colorado sports events and food festivals as well as camping during the summer.
		Facilities Staff Ramo Plivac	If you are walking through the halls after school and hear someone laughing like crazy, it's probably my fault. This is my third year with custodial as well as Rooney Ranch Elementary, and it's a wonderful place to work! I was born in the beautiful European country of Bosnia-Herzegovina, and my family and I moved here over 18 years ago. I speak both Bosnian and English fluently. I enjoy traveling, trying new foods and learning new things. I think no matter who you are, being a student will never fade because curiosity is perpetual.
		Kitchen Manager
		Kitchen Anne Reese [email protected]	I have been in food service for 11 years. I think Rooney Ranch is a wonderful school and community. I am married and have 2 grown sons and one grandson whom I adore.

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