Tollgate Elementary School of Expeditionary Learning

Bernadette Donovan
Kindergarten

Bernadette is originally from Phoenixville, PA. She moved to Colorado in the summer of 1999. Bernadette is a graduate of Kutztown University with a BFA in Literature and Writing. She worked in Early Childhood Education for 20 years before transitioning first to a Kindergarten Paraprofessional and then to a Kindergarten Teacher in 2022. Bernadette loves working with our littlest learners. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her teenage son, camping, movies, being around any body of water, and sitting outdoors in warm weather. Bernadette is very excited to join the Tollgate Crew!

Email: [email protected]

Leilani Lopez
Kindergarten

Bio coming soon!

Email: Coming soon!

Katelyn Ryan
Kindergarten

Katelyn loves being part of the Tollgate community! Katelyn is originally from the northeast suburbs in Illinois and moved to Colorado in 2004. She graduated from Barat College with her B.A. in Psychology and graduated with her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix. Katelyn has taught First Grade and Kindergarten previously and took a break to stay home and raise her boys. She also has experience as a teaching assistant in a day treatment center and working with children on the spectrum. She previously taught in APS at Vaughn Elementary. When she is not teaching, she loves to spend time with her 2 boys (ages 8 and 11) and husband being outdoors in Colorado. They spend time in the mountains camping and skiing and she enjoys jigsaw puzzles, games, movies and time gardening in her yard while sipping an iced coffee. She loves being in the Kindergarten classroom supporting students in becoming lifelong learners!

Email: [email protected]

Nyah Sims
Kindergarten

Ms. Nyah Sims, born and raised in Aurora, Colorado, is a dedicated and passionate kindergarten teacher with over 4 years of experience in early childhood education. As of this year, she holds a Bachelor's degree in Inclusive Early Childhood Education/S.E. from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. Throughout her career, Ms. Nyah Sims has been committed to creating a nurturing and stimulating learning environment where young children can thrive. She believes in the importance of play-based learning and incorporates a variety of hands-on activities to engage her students and foster a love of learning. In addition to her teaching experience, Ms. Nyah Sims has participated in numerous professional development workshops and conferences to stay current with the latest educational practices and methodologies. She is also an active member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Outside of the classroom, Ms. Nyah Sims enjoys spending time with her family; being an active role model to her three younger sisters, cooking, the art of music/fashion, and exploring the great outdoors. She is an avid reader and loves to share her favorite children's books with her students. Ms. Nyah Sims is excited to be a part of the Tollgate community, and looks forward to helping her students grow and succeed in their first year of school as our future world changers.

Email: [email protected]

Melissa Thompson
Kindergarten

Melissa is a mother to one adult daughter and four adult sons that she loves dearly and hopes they will bless her with grandchildren. She was fortunate to be a stay-at-home mom for twenty years. She completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education in 2017 and has taught Pre-K, Kindergarten and First Grade as well as worked in supporting roles in elementary schools. Melissa loves to spend time outdoors, especially in the mountains, where she lived for sixteen years. She loves to ski, both downhill and cross country, hike, bicycle, walk, do a little yoga and weight-bearing exercises. She also likes to cook, read, listen to music (especially live), dance, sing, spend time with her sons and daughter, and cuddle up with her exotic shorthair cat, Conan O'Brien.

Email: [email protected]

Marquita Hall
1st Grade

Marquita is a native of Colorado with a passion for music and dancing. She began working with kids in high school every summer as an enrichment teacher aide and dance aid every summer. Her higher education began at Texas Christian University and graduated from Colorado Christian University with a degree in Early Childhood Education. Marquita loves young learners. She taught Head start students for 8 years before moving into Public school as a Kinder Para for 2 years. Then earning her teaching license and taught 1st grade. She is excited to return to 1st grade in her second year at Tollgate Elementary!

Email: [email protected]

Sarah Mills
1st Grade

Sarah Mills has been a teacher in APS for eight years, and her second at Tollgate. She has lived in Colorado for most of her life and loves the outdoor beauty found here. She has worked as a preschool director and dance teacher in the past, as well as a piano teacher. She LOVES teaching. When not teaching she enjoys gardening, kayaking, hiking, and spending time with her family and pets.

Email: [email protected]

E. Marisa Powell
1st Grade

Marisa Powell has spent 17 years serving elementary school learners and their families. This is her second year at Tollgate. She was the Director of Curriculum and Instruction at The Knox School of Santa Barbara. Prior to that she was Advanced Academic Resource Teacher in Fairfax County Public Schools in Northern Virginia, where for five and a half years, she taught a diverse range of primarily multi language learners and worked with families to support their children’s unique learning and social emotional needs. Before moving to Virginia, Marisa taught 1st and 2nd grade and developed curriculum at The Ricks Center for Gifted Children at the University of Denver and at the Logan School for Creative Learning. During her five years at Logan, she designed and implemented individual, integrated curriculum based on student abilities and interests as well as a class unit. She is passionate about staying on top of new research and practices in education. She delights in philosophical discussions on education and in implementing best practices.

Email: [email protected]

Alex Schreuder
1st Grade

Alex grew up and attended college in Montana where she met her husband. After college they followed jobs out to Ohio. Over the 8 years in Ohio her and her husband have welcomed two kids and adopted two dogs. She went back to school to get her teaching license and began teaching. Alex loves the lower grades and has taught first grade and preschool. While working in preschool she also began working on an intervention specialist license. While she has enjoyed preschool the last 3 years she is excited to get back to first grade. Her favorite part of teaching is watching the students gain skills and all the stories they have to tell. When she is not teaching she enjoys running, reading, writing, and crochet. On weekends she and the family plan to explore all that the area has to offer in terms of experiences and outdoor adventures. She can not wait to meet all the amazing students and families!

Email: [email protected]

Stacey Sears
1st Grade

Stacey Sears has been in education for the past 16 years as an English Language Support Specialist in the Cherry Creek School District. She supported students and the general education classroom teachers from kindergarten, all the way up to eighth grade. Stacey is excited to have joined Tollgate last year as a first grade teacher. Her hobbies include, riding her two horses, hiking, reading and when there is time, doing crafts.

Email: [email protected]