Middle School Teachers
English and History Department
Marcee Taylor-Westwood, lead teacher for English, is in her sixth year as a COVA Language Arts teacher and currently serves as COVA's middle school English coordinator. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from CCU in English Literature (summa cum laude) and brings fourteen years of teaching experience to our team. With her previous employment as a public school teacher, a reading and writing tutor at a learning academy, and an instructor at various charter schools, she is well prepared to support COVA's families as they use the phenomenal K12 curriculum. Marcee recently completed her graduate work at CU where she graduated with top honors, a Masters of Arts in teaching of writing with an emphasis in literature, and a certificate in teaching English as a second language.
Lori Hall, English teacher, is excited to begin her career as a virtual teacher. She has six years of classroom teaching experience. She attended the University of Northern Colorado earning a bachelor's degree in English with an emphasis in elementary education and an endorsement in ESL. She received her master's degree in teaching through an online program from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. Lori is excited to teach English and greatly enjoys poetry and Greek Mythology.
Jen Jonson, English teacher and RtI specialist, has taught middle school students for the past 11 years and is in her second year with COVA. Jen earned a BA in English from the University of Northern Colorado where she graduated summa cum laude. She holds professional licensure and endorsements in both elementary and middle school education. In 1998 and 2000, Jen returned to the University of Northern Colorado to complete her graduate work, earning master's degrees in both gifted and talented education and educational media. Jen has worked as a curriculum developer with Jefferson County Public Schools and has presented twice at the National Association for Gifted Children Conference. In the span of her teaching career, Jen has taught both language arts and history.
Alexis Rubin, history/social sciences teacher, has taught COVA middle school students for the past four years and specializes in secondary social science instruction. Before joining the COVA team Alexis taught middle school reading, writing, and social studies in Colorado and California. She also served as a site reading program coordinator. Alexis earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology at the University of California at Berkeley, and her secondary teaching certificate at California State University in San Jose. Alexis is proud to have spent the last ten years of her career servicing students, parents, and teachers.
Bohdi Sanders, history/social sciences and English teacher, has 10 years of experience in education, having taught a wide range of subjects including: English, literacy, world history, U.S. history, geography, health, physical education, Bible history and customs, and weight training. He has a B.A. in sociology, an M.S. and a Ph.D. in natural health, and is finishing an M.A. in teaching English as a second language. Bohdi has held professional teaching certification in Colorado since 2001 with endorsements in language arts, social studies and health. He also has 12 years of experience coaching soccer, football, softball, and martial arts, and holds professional certifications in martial arts, personal training, and athletic conditioning. This is his third year with COVA.
Lucy Sopiarz-Rianda, English teacher, has four years of teaching experience in the public schools. She holds a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of New Orleans. She also earned her teaching credentials at Colorado State University, where she is pursuing her M.A. in English with a concentration in English education. This is Lucy's third year teaching with COVA as a middle school English teacher.
Rosemary Sweat, English and history teacher, is beginning her second year with COVA as a middle school history teacher. This is her eighth year teaching middle school, and she has taught both language arts and history. Rosemary completed her bachelor’s degree in geography and environmental studies at University of Colorado, where she also received her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. In addition to extensive field work experiences, Rosemary has created and taken several history class trips with her students.
Renae Cartwright is now in her second year with COVA. She has 11 years of experience teaching middle school students. Renae received her bachelor's degree in elementary education – life/earth science and her master's degree in curriculum and instruction from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Renae has taught seventh and eighth grade in the public schools. She also started a tutoring program for middle school students and, most recently worked with homeschooled students in an outreach program.
Math Department
Julie Mathews, lead teacher, is in her fourth year with COVA. She is a middle school math department chair and middle school math teacher. She earned a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, graduating with honors. She also graduated with top honors from Lesley College where she completed her graduate work, earning a master's degree in computers in education. Last summer Julie added a Secondary Math Endorsement to her Colorado teacher's license by passing the Secondary Math PLACE test. With over 14 years of middle-school teaching experience, she has extensive knowledge and experience working with and teaching adolescents, and understands and appreciates the hard work and dedication it takes to educate children at home.
Leslie Doolittle is a Colorado-certified math teacher at the secondary level. She has eight years of teaching experience at middle and high school levels, including two years in alternative school settings. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and is currently working on a Master of Education degree in counseling psychology.
Shantelle Mulliniks is starting her first year with COVA as a middle school math teacher. She received her undergraduate education from Regis University with a degree in mathematics and computer science and obtained her teaching credentials from Metro State. She went on to receive a master’s in mathematics with an emphasis in education from the University of Northern Colorado. Shantelle spent the last four years teaching a variety of math courses at Horizon High School in Thornton. She loves math and enjoys helping students gain confidence and understanding in math. She is excited to join the COVA team this year.
Scott Tomko is starting his third year at COVA. He joined the COVA staff after a three-year learning and teaching tour of Japan's educational system. Prior to that, Scott taught mathematics in American public and private schools for 13 years, from the middle school to post secondary levels. He received his undergraduate degree in mathematics from the University of Colorado in Boulder, and went on to complete his master's degree in mathematics content and instruction.
Science Department
Janette Grahek, lead teacher, graduated from CSU-Pueblo with a B.S. in biology in 1998 and went on to work in the environmental field for one year. She received her teaching license from Regis University in 2001 and taught various subjects in high school science for four years. She especially enjoys the subjects of chemistry and physics. She has an M.A. in science curriculum and instruction from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. This is her third year at COVA and she is very excited for the opportunity to work with all the exceptional COVA families again. Janette is our middle school science department chair.
Kendra Wermers graduated from the University of Southern Colorado and currently holds a Colorado teaching certificate in secondary science. Before coming to COVA she taught seven years of science at Pueblo South High School, and was a volleyball coach for eight years. Originally assigned a Home Room Contact position with COVA, Kendra is now a science teacher for the Northern Colorado region. This will be her third year with COVA.
Missy Wingard is in her second year with COVA as a middle school science teacher. After graduating from the University of Nebraska with a BA in biological sciences and physical education, Missy taught science in Lincoln, NE for nine years. Since moving to Colorado, Missy has taught science in Jefferson County Public Schools for two years and earned credits toward her master's degree in curriculum and instruction. Missy currently has professional teaching licenses in both Colorado and Nebraska.
