Kara Blakey - Integrated Services Paraprofessional, 488-8292
Cree Bol - French, Health, Outdoor Living, Photo, 488-8286
French and Health
Chris Boyle - High School Social Studies, 488-8273
This is my fourth year as a high school social studies teacher at Polaris. I attended Colorado State University for my bachelor’s degree in history and my teaching certificate and I will graduate with a master’s degree in Sport Administration from the University of Northern Colorado in May. I am a huge sports fan and love any form of competition and in addition to being a teacher at Polaris I coach softball at Fossil Ridge High School. I’m a diehard fan of Colorado State athletics and spend far too much time and money attending nearly every football, basketball, and volleyball game. One thing people may not know about me is that I love to color in coloring books, it’s very relaxing. I love my job at Polaris because I have the freedom to teach compelling and in depth classes rather than skim over everything like most of the districts social studies teachers. I work with an incredibly talented and fun staff and I look forward to coming to work every day.
Bill Bromley - High School Math, 488-8275
High School Math
Brenda Cisneros - 6th Grade, 488-8291
I have been teaching in some form or another since 1986 and I still love it! I have a Bachelor's of Arts degree from the University of Wyoming with a dual major in Special Education and Elementary Education and Master's of Arts from the University of Colorado in Educational Equity and Cultural Diversity (The long way of saying English as a Second Language.). I am also highly qualified in Secondary Language Arts. My teaching experience includes teaching 3rd grade to post-secondary special education. In that span, I have worked with students with a wide range of abilities—the challenges that this has provided is probably the reason that I love what I do so much.
Other than teaching, some of my favorite things include time with my family and friends, running, knitting, cooking, reading, hiking, traveling and working on improving Spanish.
Other than teaching, some of my favorite things include time with my family and friends, running, knitting, cooking, reading, hiking, traveling and working on improving Spanish.
Kevin Denton - 7th & 8th Grade Math, 488-8287
2011-2012 will be my second year at Polaris. Following graduation from CSU I taught middle school math/science and coached on the Western Slope of Colorado near Aspen. I took a break to organize the family ministries for a local church there and then thought I’d give high school math a try. Although I enjoyed the challenge I went to work for a year as the director of operation for my brother’s property management company, only to discover that I missed the classroom too much yet again. I always said I would only go back to teaching if I could work in an Expeditionary Learning school, and I guess dreams do come true!
I have a lovely wife and two awesome kids of my own who are truly my delight. I love backpacking, writing/playing/listening to music, fly-fishing, hunting, woodworking, hockey, soccer and anything to do with building or creating. My passion is to see kids know the truth about who they are, that they can do hard things, and that the world needs their best in every way. I have a heart for the many people suffering in the world and long to see our “privileged” children catch a glimpse of how fortunate they are and how their education—matched with compassion-- can truly make a difference in real people’s lives.
Polaris provides a rich education steeped in real problems, and rigorous expectations. It provides a place for teachers to act as, and enjoy being professionals who truly love their students. I’m thankful to be a part of it and look forward to improving my abilities as a leader in your child’s life.
I have a lovely wife and two awesome kids of my own who are truly my delight. I love backpacking, writing/playing/listening to music, fly-fishing, hunting, woodworking, hockey, soccer and anything to do with building or creating. My passion is to see kids know the truth about who they are, that they can do hard things, and that the world needs their best in every way. I have a heart for the many people suffering in the world and long to see our “privileged” children catch a glimpse of how fortunate they are and how their education—matched with compassion-- can truly make a difference in real people’s lives.
Polaris provides a rich education steeped in real problems, and rigorous expectations. It provides a place for teachers to act as, and enjoy being professionals who truly love their students. I’m thankful to be a part of it and look forward to improving my abilities as a leader in your child’s life.
Sheryl Dickinson - Custodian, 488-8283
As the custodian of the Moore building for the last 18 years, Sherry knows every noock and cranny of the building. She has maintained the building in such top form that even the mice think twice before deciding to head somewhere else.
Sue Ehrlich - Attendance Clerk / Registrar, 488-8260
Dan Fotsch - Middle School PE, 488-8309
Joe Gawronski - Principal, 488-8263
As the leader of the only two Expeditionary Learning Schools within PSD I am determined to do what’s best for kids by developing their 21st Century Skills along with their academic skills. For our students to succeed in the future, for our community to continue to experience vitality, and for our democracy to be healthy we will need students to become adept at thinking critically. Along with critical thinking students will also benefit from developing communication skills, working effectively as a team member, and honing their creative problem solving skills. I am committed to keeping these 21st Century Skills as a focus of Lab/Polaris for this is what I believe is best for kids and for our future.
On a personal note I am the father of two inspiring daughters who are 18 and 13 and my wife provides me with much support and motivation. I enjoy skiing, basketball, hackey-sac, golf, guitar, softball, low stakes poker, and a concert every once in a while. I spent much of my formative years on the east coast, I am a Yankee fan as well as a North Carolina basketball fan (please don’t hold either of those against me, as many Coloradoans do).
If you’re truly interested in something unique with Poudre School District I would invite you to stop by for a visit, I am always willing to inform families about Expeditionary Learning…”the way schools ought to be.”
On a personal note I am the father of two inspiring daughters who are 18 and 13 and my wife provides me with much support and motivation. I enjoy skiing, basketball, hackey-sac, golf, guitar, softball, low stakes poker, and a concert every once in a while. I spent much of my formative years on the east coast, I am a Yankee fan as well as a North Carolina basketball fan (please don’t hold either of those against me, as many Coloradoans do).
If you’re truly interested in something unique with Poudre School District I would invite you to stop by for a visit, I am always willing to inform families about Expeditionary Learning…”the way schools ought to be.”
Mikole Grindel - Middle School Social Studies / Academic Dean, 488-8267
Ryan Grindel - Middle School & High School Art, 488-8290
Ryan Grindel is a local Fort Collins artist, teacher and Ent in training. His own personal artwork and much of his curriculum have become focused on sustainability ever since teaching environmental education in the great outdoor classroom of upstate New York. Since his arrival in Fort Collins in 2004, the rivers, mountains and natural surroundings have fueled his love of organic shapes, fluid movement and rustic beauty. When not scouring for wood and trash at the streamside or climbing a nearby tree barefoot, he can be found teaching middle and high school art at Polaris Expeditionary Learning School or leaeding school backpack trips to Utah, Arizona or the high country of Colorado.
Dana Jensen- Middle School Science, 488-8288
Jon Kushner - Health Tech, 488-8268
Steve Majors - Spanish & PE, 488-8304
Spanish
Liz Melahn - High School Social Studies & English, 488-8274
Social Studies and English
Jessica Messina - Integrated Services Support, 488-8293
Katie Meunier - Counselor, 488-8312
Middle School Counselor (Grades 6-8)
Mary Ellen Quinn - Office Manager, 488-8264
Office Manager
Rhea Reiker - High School Counselor, 488-8269
Counselor
Kyle Stack - High School Science & Discovery, 488-8276
I am Kyle Stack, the middle school science and Discovery teacher here at Polaris. I have lived in Colorado since 1988 and here in The Fort since 1990. My background has included education and experience with NOLS, The National Park Service, Big Thompson Youth Naturally (an outdoor education program for students 7-12th grades), and being a fly-fishing guide on the Poudre and Big Thompson for St. Peter’s Fly Shop. I graduated from CSU in 1996 with a BS in Natural Resource Management and got licensed to teach in 1999 through CSU. And I’ve been teaching junior high and middle school since!
My love for the outdoors and for young adults is what brought me to Polaris and the Expeditionary Learning model. If you can’t reach me here at Polaris, I am either on the river or with my beautiful family – wife, Leah, girls, Gabby & Kaiah, and my world-famous dog, Maddie
My love for the outdoors and for young adults is what brought me to Polaris and the Expeditionary Learning model. If you can’t reach me here at Polaris, I am either on the river or with my beautiful family – wife, Leah, girls, Gabby & Kaiah, and my world-famous dog, Maddie
Matt Strand - Middle School Language Arts / Academic Dean, 488-8270
My name is Matt Strand. I am the Middle School Language Arts Teacher. I have a Masters in Education from Texas Christian University; I am currently working toward a PhD in Educational Leadership at Colorado State University. In my free time I enjoy hiking, cooking, playing mandolin, listening to music, and creating artwork.
People who see me as goofy don't realize that I am serious most of the time; people who see me as serious don't realize that I am goofy most of the time. My favorite thing about Polaris is that everyone (staff, students, parents) is encouraged to approach our work here in an artistic, personally meaningful way. I also appreciate the friendly, helpful atmosphere. It is a truly amazing place! If you stop by our little campus, feel free to stop in and chat.
People who see me as goofy don't realize that I am serious most of the time; people who see me as serious don't realize that I am goofy most of the time. My favorite thing about Polaris is that everyone (staff, students, parents) is encouraged to approach our work here in an artistic, personally meaningful way. I also appreciate the friendly, helpful atmosphere. It is a truly amazing place! If you stop by our little campus, feel free to stop in and chat.
Jen Sunderland- 6th Grade, 488-8296
Randy Walters - High School Math and Science, 488-8277
Born in the swamps of Houston, Texas on Mother's day, I spent my entire childhood there getting into some form of trouble. During high school, I finally learned something about what I wanted to do with my life and got my stuff together. After earning my B.S and M.S. in Geology at Trinity U. and U. of Tennessee, respectively, I took a job at Exxon to find oil for a better America. After eight years of being an oil pig, I discovered that my passion was not in oil but, rather, in teaching. We moved to Colorado about the time my beautiful daughter Erin was born, and I earned my teaching certificate at CSU. I taught for ten years in Greeley before coming to Polaris and I love it here. I've always said that I would only teach at the best school that I could find and I truly believe that I have found that school. These days, I spend most of my free time with my daughter and am looking forward to walking to school with her for the next 4 years (her to Poudre and me here).
Deborah Warshaw - High School Language Arts & Humanities, 488-8280
High School Humanities
Pam Webb - Sixth Grade
Sixth Grade
