Although I haven't lived in Colorado for many years, Denver has always been my home and I am looking forward to returning to my family and those beautiful, blue skies. I graduated from the IB program at Littleton High School and then went on to explore Literature and Italian at Washington University in St. Louis. I have always enjoyed learning, had an itch for travel, and a desire to serve others. These combined passions inspired me to volunteer in India where I fell in love with the art of teaching. I then received my Masters degree at Northwestern and began learning alongside my students on the West side of Chicago. After a few years, I shifted to serve the community of Gary, Indiana at KIPP: LEAD Charter School. When that opportunity came to a close, I ventured to Indonesia where I taught 5th grade at Jakarta Intercultural School. Having spent more than ten years teaching upper elementary students, I am thrilled to join Odyssey as a 4th/5th grade crew teacher. I look forward to being part of a community of learners who explore, try things out, reflect and grow together. Denver has changed a lot since I've been away so outside of school you will find me exploring the city, building new friendships, appreciating nature, reading books and enjoying the simple comfort of being home.

Alisha grew up in Denver, CO and was a student at the Rocky Mountain School of Expeditionary Learning (RMSEL). She received her BA and MA from the University of Colorado. She received her teaching certification from the Stanley Teacher Preparation Program. Alisha worked at Odyssey in 2007-2008 and 2009-2010 as an assistant and a 7th grade Literacy teacher intern. In 2010, she planned and co-led the 7th and 8th grade trip to Israel and the West Bank. She’s returning to Odyssey after six years of leading a 4/5 crew at RMSEL.

Alisha has a love for life. Her spirit and empathy for all people is palpable.  During the student interactions she had on the day of her interview,  kids wanted to keep engaging with her long after their allotted time.  In Alisha’s spare time, she loves to read and write.  Alisha has also become an avid proponent of green building, recently remodeling her kitchen, living room and dining room using many green building techniques.  Alisha brings a talent for leading adult learning. In 2014, she presented at EL Education’s national conference and has regularly served as a classroom lab teacher and mentor.  She comes us hoping to grow her own teaching practice even more!

My name is Emily.  I grew up in Michigan and Kentucky, the middle of 3 girls.  I loved my barefoot summers and early falls chasing fireflies with my sisters, swimming in lakes, and riding horses. This remains my ideal summer!

I knew a typical classroom environment was not best for many young learners, nor would it feed my soul as an educator.  When an Odyssey K/1 position opened after my first year of teaching- I made the leap.  I continue to pinch myself that I get to call Odyssey my teaching home.  I feel so fortunate to teach in a community that truly values the “it takes a village” philosophy, where the mantra “we are crew, not passengers” is alive and strong, and where the mindset of “leap in, get stuck, push through” is encouraged of all learners- young and grown up alike.  I love supporting Odyssey’s youngest learners in exploring, discovering, wondering, grappling, collaborating, researching, revising, playing, and growing. I am happy and proud to be part of a K/1 teaching team that honors and advocates for Odyssey’s youngest learners while also knowing what big and beautiful work they are capable of!

When not at Odyssey I can be found running before sunrise, hiking and exploring Colorado with my husband and two goofy labs, playing cards and sharing meals with good friends, and excitedly awaiting the birth of my first child.

Growing up in OH-IO as the youngest of six siblings I spent a lot of time trying to keep up with my brothers and sisters on all of their adventures.  After graduating from Ohio University I spent several years teaching in the classroom, as well as guiding and directing various outdoor programs.  As the Director of Adventure Programming at Odyssey I get the unique opportunity to combine my passions for adventure and education.  At Odyssey, "together, students and adults discover they can do more than they thought possible and find aspects of themselves that they didn't know were there."

I have been a member of the Odyssey community since 2002!  I'm a Denver native growing up in Park Hill mostly.  I love watching the learning that happens here every day and seeing children grow.  I also love my co-workers!  My family is also growing as my husband and I are very excited to have our first child this year!

As I begin my second year at Odyssey, it marks my 10th year as an educator. I have taught in Mexico, Chile, Michigan, and Colorado. I received my undergraduate and graduate degree from the University of Michigan, and during that time I spent two and half years studying, teaching, and living in Santiago, Chile. In Chile I worked for an outdoor education company where I planned and led academic and adventure based trips into the Andes Mountains and throughout the Patagonia. After returning to the states I taught 5 years in Denver Public Schools, and then embarked on a 2 year adventure in Sayulita, Mexico where I taught 5th/6th grade and worked as an assessment coordinator and interventionist. My background in outdoor and adventure education has given me the skills to facilitate students in taking risks and breaking academic and personal barriers. Literacy, and love for literature is at the core of every multidisciplinary unit I’ve developed and implemented. 6th graders will transform as readers and writers as we study mentor texts, and experiment with our own voices as writers. We will breath life into fiction and non-fiction as we move throughout the year. It is my commitment to each and every one of my students that they internalize and know that they are an integral member of our classroom community. Real world excursions have always provided and continue to serve as the foundation of teaching and learning in my classroom. As an educator at Odyssey I am committed to engaging all students and preparing them with the tools they need to address global and environmental problems and implement sustainable solutions. Let the adventures begin!

“One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure.” I grew up on the east coast in Massachusetts. When I was 16 I had a life-changing experience rafting the deep canyons of the west and I was inspired to discover the world outside my front door. At 18 I moved to the western United States and I graduated from Colorado State University achieving a degree in Wildlife Biology with minors in Fisheries and Rangeland Ecology, which led to my passion for teaching in an outdoor environment through recreation and stewardship. I lived in Western United States for 5 years until seeking experience internationally working and living in Australia for 3 years. I have been an active outdoor professional for the last 13 years. I began guiding rafting trips on the Arkansas River, which led to more intense wilderness-based expeditions with Outward Bound, Collegiate Universities, and Commercial Guiding Outfitters throughout the United States. I have worked and traveled throughout the world to broaden my knowledge and experience to construct high quality adventure-based programs for groups of all ages.  I am a new resident to Denver and I own two active dogs. I have been a Volunteer Ski Patroller and a teacher of CPR. I also teach wilderness medicine for the Longleaf Wilderness Medicine Company because I believe in the positive impact that it can have on a person’s life by empowering people to respond in both front and back country settings. I am incredibly excited to be working within the Odyssey community as the new Director of Adventure Programming. It will be an amazing opportunity to work with students and their families to help support and accomplish the mission of the Odyssey School of Denver.

Julie brings all her experience  from being a community organizer,  classroom teacher and reading specialist to make Partners in Literacy a unique organization.  She believes that books and libraries are the perfect center of any school.  Over and over again she sees teachers, volunteers,and students, together and  independently truly engaged with literature and content that broadens deepens and challenges them. Julie is founder and director of Partners in Literacy.