Kindergarten teacher
alex_park@dpsk12.net
Hello! My name is Alex Park and I am a Denver native. I graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in communication and sociology. Following that, I received my teaching license and masters in elementary education with a culturally and linguistically diverse endorsement. I worked in early childhood education for 3 years teaching the infant, toddler, and pre K classes at the Jewish Community Center. I have been in team DPS for 6 years teaching kindergarten. My goal is to create a school family where all my students feel like they belong and are connected. My passion is to spark the love of learning in my students and make learning fun through songs, chants, and movement. In my free time, I love to cook, bake, run, hike, and spend time with my family and two dogs, Scout and Champ.
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Catherine_Berns@dpsk12.net
I grew up in Maryland, graduated from Georgetown with a Master’s in Foreign Service and Loyola College with a Master’s in Education. I taught special education in Maryland, and Montrose, CO, before finding my home in kindergarten! This is my 14th year at Carson.
When I am not at school you will find me reading, hiking, and drinking tea. I am learning to be a dog person with Hazel, my 17 year old daughter’s quarantine pup.
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Nicole_Martinez@dpsk12.net
Hello! My name is Nikki Martinez and I am so excited to be joining the Kindergarten team at Carson! I am coming to Carson from Bromwell Elementary School where I have worked as the Kindergarten long term substitute the past year. I am from Colorado and attended the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs (UCCS) where I graduated with my BA in both Communication with an emphasis in Media Studies and a BA in Women and Ethnic Studies. I continued my education and graduated with my MA in Communication from UCCS with a goal of becoming a college professor.
However, I quickly realized my passion was for teaching younger students and my dream shifted into becoming an elementary school teacher. My lifelong dream has always been to become an educator. When I was a little girl, I used to spend countless hours in front of the small chalkboard that was hanging in my childhood room playing “teacher” to my stuffed animals and younger brother. That passion for teaching that I felt at six years old has never faltered.
Throughout my educational career, I would volunteer in elementary classrooms as a guest reader. These times being able to volunteer and teach students a love for reading and learning is something that drew me into my role as a long term substitute kindergarten teacher at Bromwell this past year. The experience that I had working with our youngest learners cemented my love for teaching.
When I am not in the classroom, you can find me exploring Colorado by hiking or paddle boarding with my dog, Piper. I am a gigantic Star Wars fan and have watched the complete series probably a hundred times. I also love to cook and try out new recipes, play board games, and read.