Staff Directory

Karyn LeFevre, Art Welcome to the world of art! A world that I love living, creating, and teaching in! As a five year old living in Los Angeles, I vividly remember painting outdoors while in my afternoon Kindergarten class. I remember thinking; “I want to do this for the rest of my life.” That moment was the spark that started my life-long love of the arts. I took many art classes throughout my school career. My favorite being the High School Saturday classes at Art Center College of Art and Design. I graduated from California State University Long Beach with an art credential and a degree in Art Education. I graduated Cum Laude in 1998, marrying my husband one month after graduation. We have two children and live locally here in Highlands Ranch. It is so fun running into students while I’m out and about! I thoroughly enjoy helping our students create on a daily basis. The Core Knowledge curriculum allows me to dive into time periods that get us thinking at a high level at such a young age. I am very grateful for the opportunity to teach our PRA students!

Michelle Weis, PE (K-3rd) Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.

Bill Pascua, PE (4th-8th) & Athletic Director I grew up in Northern California and attended college at Sonoma State University. Originally, I attended college to become a physical therapist, but decided teaching was the path for me because I wanted to help children become stronger, healthier, and more athletic (and possibly prevent them from seeing a physical therapist as a result). I enjoyed every class I took and really strived to be an effective teacher. I knew that I had made the right decision and have enjoyed it ever since. After college I move to San Diego to start my teaching career. In 2003, when I visited Colorado on a summer vacation, my family returned to San Diego to put our home on the market. Three months later, we were living in Parker, Colorado. We now reside in Castle Rock and have been living there for the past 11 years. I am married with two boys, Jayden (12 years old) and Jensen (9 years old). We have a German Shorthair dog named Crosby (we call him Crazy Crosby), who’s full of energy, 5 chickens, three fish, and 2 frogs. My family and I enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, driving with top off on my 1985 Toyota 4runner, watching movies, home projects, and going on vacation. Personally, I enjoy playing sand volleyball, fly fishing, fly tying, and coaching my son’s in whatever sport is going on at the time. I have been at Platte River Academy for just a few months, but I am glad to call it my home.

Lisa Cole, Music Welcome to PRA Music! I am so pleased to share my love of music with the middle students here at PRA. I believe music impacts academic achievement and brain development while informing the way our students understand the world around them. I loved music and dancing from a young age, and participated in band, choir and musical theater throughout my schooling. I worked professionally at several dinner theaters and performed with a band for 10 years on the road. While raising my three children I continued to perform, teach privately and coordinate music for worship. I earned my music degree from Metro State as a voice major, but I also play piano, drums, sax, flute, guitar, and of course our classroom instruments including recorder and xylophones. I recently finished a Masters Degree in Information and Learning Technology from CU Denver. I believe in the strength of the Core Knowledge curriculum and the powerful alignment across disciplines. My love of theater includes teaching a Improv & Acting elective and taking a group of interested MS students to the Jr. Thespian Conference. We prepare a Spring musical each year with 3 performances in May, and offer electives to equip students to participate in every aspect of the production. Extracurricular offerings include 4-6th grade choir. We participate in the HRHS feeder festival, sing in the Veteran’s day program, prepare a winter concert, participate in the spring musical and sing at a Rockies game. In addition students can participate in an extracurricular Guitar club Fridays after school.

Liddia Morris, Spanish ¡Hola! My name is Liddia Morris and I am PRA’s 3rd – 8th grade Spanish teacher. Let me tell you a little bit about myself. I am a Colorado native and have been married for over 20 years to a wonderful husband. We have two daughters in high school and a son in middle school. We also have an adorable dog named Bandit. I received my BA in Spanish and Art from the University of Denver, and my teaching license from Metropolitan State University of Denver. My teaching career consists of teaching all ages (Kindergarten to adult) and in a variety of settings (private, public, extra-curricular, etc.). I love dancing, scrapbooking, yoga and learning about different languages and cultures. Lastly, I love teaching and I look forward to getting to know all of your wonderful children!

Maribeth Snow, Technology Coordinator & K-2 Technology Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.

Erica Shehan, Technology (3rd-8th) I am excited to start the year here at Platte River Academy. I have an undergraduate degree in architecture from Kansas State University and a master’s degree in education from DePaul University. Because of my background I have a different experience with technology that encompasses much more than computers. 21st Century Skills at Platte River Academy crosses many disciplines: art, science, language arts, and math. We need to educate students in a way that will not only allow them to function in our ever changing world, but to succeed, contribute, and make a real difference. I strive to provide a safe, nurturing and fun environment that allows students to take risks, try new things, fail, succeed, build resiliency, and grow. This year in technology we will be using the Technology Education Series by Structured Learning. While building skills, the students will engage in activities that are related to homeroom topics based on Core Knowledge curriculum. In addition to computer based lessons I will be incorporating hands on problem solving and engineering projects. We will stress the 4C’s – Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking and Creativity in the majority of the projects this year.

Tanya Johnson, Library Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.

Paige Peterson, Director of Learning Services (Special Ed. Admin) Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.

Julie Felske, School Psychologist/Counselor Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.

Kristin Steadman, GT Coordinator Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.

Sue Thompson, Speech Language Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.

Sharon Groeling, Occupational Therapist Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.

Adrienne Taylor, Kindergarten Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.

Courtney Tessean, 1st Grade Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.

Jenny Wolpert, 1st Grade Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.

Amber Pethe, 2nd Grade Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.

Michele Finley, 3rd Grade Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.

Charity Ruch, 4th Grade Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.

Valerie Davis, 6th Grade & Business Assistant Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.

Nava Far, 7th & 8th Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.

Danielle MacDonald, 7th & 8th Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.

Samantha Heinl, Special Ed. Para Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.