4th Grade

Dawn Birdsill

1:1 Paraeducator
Dawn_Birdsill@dpsk12.net

Hi friends! My name is Dawn.  I moved to Colorado in 2018 seeking mountain adventures. Hiking, camping, snowboarding, swimming – you’ll find me healing in nature! 

I’m a gemini who enjoys being a creative. I enjoy dabbling in all the things, art journaling, teaching myself piano, singing and dancing. 

When I’m not creatively expressing myself you’ll find me at concerts or adventuring in the mountains with my dog (and maybe someday, my kitten!)

Willow Hutchins

1:1 Paraeducator
Willow_Hutchins@dpsk12.org

Willow comes from Idaho, where they worked as a Youth Support Specialist creating trauma informed mental health programs for children age 5-14.  In their spare time, they’re a fan of scary movies, folk music and board games.

Penny Henry

Math
Penny_Dersham@dpsk12.net

My teaching career began in Aurora, Colorado where I spent 15 years teaching low income students, second language learners, and refugee students. This year will be my tenth year at Carson. I received my bachelor’s degree from Metro State and my masters degree from Mississippi State. I am also a certified yoga instructor and SEL facilitator through Breathe For Change.

In my free time you can find me spending time with my husband Derek and my silly, oversized dog Roo. I love to camp, hike, paddleboard, run (sometimes), do yoga, crochet, read, craft, and bake. I am also studying Norwegian and you can almost always find me listening to my favorite band; a-ha!!

Emily Goers

Literacy/STL
Emily_Goers@dpsk12.net

Inspiring kids to be lifelong learners, critical thinkers, and compassionate global citizens is my greatest passion! This is my thirteenth year teaching at Carson and my 7th year as an instructional coach. I earned my undergraduate degree in Elementary Education at the University of Colorado, Boulder and my Masters in Reading and Writing Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Colorado, Denver. I’m grateful to have had such formative experiences volunteering with students all around the world!

When I’m not at my “second home” (Carson), I am outside enjoying a book, bike ride, ski run, or tennis game with family or friends! My husband and I are thrilled to be welcoming a daughter into the world in September!

Larson headshot

Karin Larson

Science and Social Studies
Karin_Larson@dpsk12.net

I started my teaching career working for the Palm Beach County School District in South Florida. I decided to specialize in gifted education, which has been my passion for the past 12 years. I taught HGT at Carson for eight years. This is my 11th year at Carson and I am delighted to teach Science and Social Studies with a fantastic team of talented professionals.

You can find me outdoors with my two dogs adopted from rescue shelters when I am not in the classroom. I enjoy exercising daily, including running and biking along the many beautiful paths in Colorado. My husband and I also spend every weekend during summer on our motorcycle exploring quaint little mountain towns. I look forward to attending concerts at Red Rocks, visiting my grandchildren in Jacksonville, and traveling the world!