DCS Montessori Charter School

Support Staff and Special Education

Hello there! I am very excited and grateful to be a part of your child’s learning experience. I greatly look forward to the school year ahead of us!

Sonia Cortez, School Social Worker

Susan Baysinger, Speech Language Pathologist

I am very happy to be part of the Montessori special education and teaching team. Teaching is a joy for me! I have been teaching for almost 20 years. I have a Masters Degree in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Nebraska where I grew up. 

Outside of school, I love traveling with my husband, David. We also like to hike and explore different places in this beautiful state. We have three grandsons that keep us very busy. 

My mission is to provide inclusive services that meet the needs of all students and to build community through communication in a responsive and supportive way.

Kate Gladson, Mental Health Support

I have had the wonderful opportunity of seeing just how extraordinary the Montessori philosophy is at developing young minds. My oldest daughter started P3 here at DCS and graduated from DCS Middle. She is currently attending CSU! Go Rams! My youngest daughter also started as a P3 and graduated DCS Middle. Both girls transitioned to public school extremely well. I believe the education, as well as learning time management, and self-advocacy skills greatly increased their success.

I have been blessed to call Colorado home since 2003. Before that I grew up in Chicago and San Diego. I received my undergraduate degree from DePaul University, my Master’s of Psychology from Pepperdine University. Currently, I am studying at the University of Denver working on completing an Ed. S in School Psychology.

I enjoy getting to know our students and connecting with them to support their learning experience. In my free time I take great pride volunteering as a CASA, (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for abused and neglected children in the foster care system. I have a love for reading, horseback riding, snowboarding, gardening, and spending time with my two amazing daughters, my husband and our five pets!

Gina Mead, Counselor

Hello! My name is Gina Mead and I am excited to be a part of the DCS Montessori team! My roots in this community run deep as I am a proud graduate of Douglas County schools and my husband and I raised our two kids here in Douglas County. I earned a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Adams State University (go Grizzlies!) and I also have an undergraduate degree from CU Boulder Leeds College of Business (Sko Buffs!). I have worked in education since 2008, and I have also worked as a grief counselor and a mental health counselor in private practice. I love seeing the joy on a child’s face when they feel pride from their academic accomplishments, achieve a goal they didn’t think possible, or learn a new skill to support their academic, social or emotional growth. The Montessori philosophy of rigorous, self-motivated growth resonates with me, and I am honored to be a part of the team supporting the academic, social and emotional wellbeing of our students. I live with my husband and our pup Charlie, and we love exploring the beauty and nature that surrounds us here in Colorado. On weekends, you’ll find us hiking, biking, paddle boarding or just relaxing on our back porch. I’m looking forward to a great year at DCS Montessori! Go Cougars!

Tiffany Barker & Skyler Staats, Speech Therapists

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