DCS Montessori Charter School

Lisa Albert, Lower Elementary Teacher

Over the years I have had the opportunity to hold some extraordinary teaching and training positions and have acquired skills and experience in Child Development, Elementary Education, Outdoor Environmental Education, and Montessori Education.  Among these areas, I have taught a wide variety of ages ranging from kindergarten to undergraduate students.  I hold a Master of Science, Bachelor of Science, and a Montessori Education Teaching Credential.

Teaching in Montessori environments such as DCS, supports my passion for igniting student curiosity and self-learning, both inside and outside of the classroom.  I enjoy teaching all areas of the curriculum, especially nature, ecology, and children’s literature.  Additionally, I take great pride in being a teacher and find ongoing fulfillment in my career choice.

I am married to “Mr. Albert”, who recently retired from teaching.  We have two wonderful sons, Evan and Kyle.  As a family, we are very active and enjoy participating in and supporting many sports and outdoor activities.  Living in beautiful Colorado, our leisure time includes a lot of camping, hiking, and playing.  We especially love Colorado’s mountains and don’t expect to run out of places to visit.

Email:  Lisa Albert

Katie Hovde, Educational Assistant

Hello! My name is Katie, and I am very excited for another amazing year at DCS. I am a teaching assistant at DCS, but once was a student at this very school! It feels incredible to return as an alumni and be a part of this wonderful team of educators, and support staff. The Montessori philosophy has had a tremendous mark on my own education and has helped me along my lifelong learning journey. A little bit about me; I have a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and am currently working towards a master’s degree in developmental psychology. I love learning, and I love learning new things about people! Outside of school, I enjoy reading, being out in the sunshine, and I also enjoy weight lifting!

Heather Goldstein, Lower Elementary Teacher

I came to know Montessori when my oldest child, Ray, started here at DCS in first grade and my youngest, Mitchell, began at three years old soon after. Ray is attending UNCO and Mitchell is in high school, and both have transitioned wonderfully to public schools and now college. I have been involved with DCS Montessori for many years.

I started as an assistant teacher in Lower Elementary with Ms. Lynn and worked in elementary after care for much of that time as well. I then spent a year in Upper Elementary with Mr. Sean. When Ray was in second grade I was a frequent volunteer and I fell in love with the classrooms and the method. I knew that I had found something I could be passionate about. Once I realized that I wanted to be a part of this school long term, I worked hard and received my degree in Interdisciplinary Studies K-8 from Western Governors University and I have my Colorado teaching license for K-6. I received my Montessori Credentials in Elementary I and II (Lower El and Upper El as we call them) through the Center for Guided Montessori Studies. I love learning more about this beautiful educational philosophy every chance I get and I just love being even more involved in these wonderful children’s lives.

Email:  Heather Goldstein

Emily Montague Mendonca, Educational Assistant

Hello, my name is Emily. I am so excited and grateful to be here at DCS Montessori. I’ve been a teaching assistant here for a few years. Although, I’ve been a mom here for much longer! I am currently working toward my Elementary Education degree and certification. I thoroughly enjoy watching our kids learn and discover. They inspire me and remind me that learning is a lifelong process.

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Lynn Booton, Lower Elementary Teacher

My name is Lynn Booton. I am honored to be a Montessori lower elementary teacher and to be part of the DCS Montessori Lower Elementary team. I have been a lower elementary teaching assistant and also a lead teacher here at DCS Montessori for many years. I am delighted to introduce myself and am excited to have the opportunity to bring my passion, my love of teaching, and my love of children to the classroom for another year.

I would like to share with you just a little about myself. I have a B.S. degree in Elementary Education and hold a Colorado State License for grades K-6. I also hold a Montessori Lower Elementary certification through the American Montessori Society (AMS).

I fell in love with Montessori when my girls began preschool at a Montessori school. They both graduated from DCS Montessori and happily attended Castle View High School. I am pleased to say their transition to middle school and high school was extremely successful largely due to the Montessori education they received here. After graduation, they went on to Metropolitan State College and University of Colorado-Boulder.

They have both come back after graduating college to work as staff at DCS!

My mission is to provide a safe, positive and caring environment to inspire a love of learning. I look forward to community building, cooperative problem solving, engaging lessons, and a well prepared environment to enable each child to blossom to their full potential.

I enjoy living in the beautiful community of Castle Rock with my husband, my girls, my grandson, our dog, and cat. Our leisure time includes lots of reading as well as outdoors activities including cycling, swimming, hiking, and playing!

Email:  Lynn Booton

Heather Edwards, Educational Assistant

Hello, my name is Heather and I am so excited to be working as a teacher’s assistant with Ms. Lynn this year in lower elementary. I have two children who both currently attend DCS Montessori. I am personally very passionate about the Montessori method. I learned a great deal when I attended a Montessori Parent/Toddler playgroup when my son was 18 months old. I am always reading and learning to assist me in applying the method with my own children. I also homeschooled my children using the method prior to them attending DCS Montessori.

I have lived in Colorado over over 30 years. I attended the University of Denver where I studied accounting, so needless to say Montessori math has a soft spot in my heart. The beauty of the materials and how they move into the abstract is truly mind blowing! I worked in a daycare/summer camp in college. I also was my daughter’s Girl Scout troop leader for many years.

I love to craft, sew outfits, and recently learned how to crochet. My family and I love to be outside and exploring nature. Some of our favorite spots are the Platte River, Willow Creek, and Chatfield Reservoir. We have a miriad of pets in our house which includes, a dog, fish, cockatiels, and a bearded dragon.

Paul Brannberg, Lower Elementary Teacher

Hello my name is Paul Brannberg. I have been at DCS Montessori for 12 years. I am very excited and privileged to help your children grow this next coming school year. Teaching children has always been a passion of mine since I can remember. It is probably because I come from a long line of teachers.

In the spring of 2013 I was introduced to Montessori education and had the privilege of working in a Lower Elementary classroom. I was very impressed with the philosophy of Montessori and had to jump ship on traditional education and started pursuing Montessori.

I am so thankful to be a fourth generation Coloradoan. I certainly like to take full advantage of what this great state has to offer. I enjoy climbing fourteeners and hiking. I also like to boulder, rock climb, backpack, ski, and enjoy most any outdoor activities. I am married to Megan and we have three wonderful boys, Andrew, Benson, and Callahan.

Email:  Paul Brannberg

Lisa Hutchings, Educational Assistant

Hi, My name is Lisa Hutchings. I enjoy working with children and am passionate about the Montessori Philosophy and helping every child learn. I grew up in Idaho and have a teaching degree. I love spending time exploring the outdoors, playing and listening to music and hanging out with family and friends.

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Roda Pajela, Lower Elementary Teacher

I’m Roda Pajela (pronounced Ro-dah Pah-hel-lah). Originally from the Philippines, I taught for seven years before moving to America. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Education and continuously take graduate classes when I can. I have over twenty years of teaching experience in both Montessori and traditional settings. I hold a Colorado professional teacher’s license with endorsements in K-6 and the READ Act.

My Montessori training began in the Philippines after college, and I later completed AMS training in Boulder, CO. Since 2006, I’ve been part of DCS Montessori, where I enjoy both teaching in the classroom and taking on leadership roles in the Lower Elementary department. Teaching has been my lifelong passion, allowing me to share knowledge, offer emotional and academic support to help children succeed, and inspire curiosity, creativity, and a love for learning.

I am a wife to my husband Jon, and we have twin young adult children, Justin and James, both in college in Colorado, and our beloved pet Aussiedoodle, Jayda. We enjoy traveling, camping, dining out, and watching movies together, cherishing beautiful Colorado as our second permanent home for over 20 years.

Email:  Roda Pajela

Deanna Green, Educational Assistant

Hello, my name is Deanna Green. I am very excited and honored to be a part of the Lower Elementary team. I am very motivated to continue training in Montessori philosophy and education. I am so grateful to continue to be a part of the DCS Montessori community. I enjoy helping students of all backgrounds and abilities succeed and I am thankful for the opportunity to provide teacher support so that students have their best chance to develop the skills and creativity required to flourish in their personal growth and education. While completing my Paralegal education at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, I was employed in childcare services as well as maintained a position at Sunrise Hospital and Children’s Hospital. I moved to Colorado in 2012, to start my family. In 2013, I completed an intensive Yoga Teacher Training through CorePower Yoga, where I taught yoga and lifestyle programs for four years. My husband and I have one son enrolled in DCS Montessori and it has been an honor to watch him grow in such a wonderful and caring environment. In my free time I enjoy spending quality time with my family, practicing yoga, hiking and camping.

Christine Scovil, Lower Elementary Teacher

I was born in Indiana, but have been living in Douglas County most of my life.  I hold a B. A. in Parks and Recreation Management and was the Aquatics Coordinator in Silverthorne, CO for 8 years before my husband and I moved down to the Front Range to start a family. When our youngest daughter started at DCS Montessori I found that this was not only an environment that we wanted her to grow and learn in, but it was also where I felt passionate about the Montessori philosophy and wanted to be apart of as well. After being a Lower Elementary assistant for 4 years, I completed my AMS training through the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies.

My husband’s name is also Chris and we have 2 beautiful and amazing daughters. In our leisure time we enjoy being outdoors, hiking with our dog, swimming, gardening, camping and exploring beautiful Colorado. I also raise service dogs and love paddle boarding.

Email:  Christine Scovil

Julie Weber, Educational Assistant

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