1:1 Paraeducator / School Technology Representative
tara_dudenhoeffer@dpsk12.net
Hi, I’m Tara! After living in the Austin, Texas area for almost 20 years, I relocated to Denver in 2015. I graduated with a degree in Social Work from Texas State University. I have held many positions as a Social Worker, but my favorite ones were always the ones where I worked with kids. I began working as a guest teacher with DPS in November 2016, and I was the designated guest teacher at Carson during Covid. I became an official Carson Cougar in 2021. I am currently a 1:1 in 2nd grade Math, and I am also the school technology representative for our school. This is my third year at Carson, and I cannot imagine that I could be happier anywhere else. I am proud to be a part of this great community.
When I am not at Carson, I enjoy traveling, reading, watching live music, and hiking with my dog, Nova Diggs.
Russell 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.
I am Claudia Largo, I was born in Colombia and lived in Madrid, Spain, during 16
years. I moved to the USA six years ago. I also lived two years in Tampa, FL and I am
currently living in Denver for four years.
I am studying Early Childhood Education at the Community College of Denver, this is
my sophomore year.
I received an Accounting Degree in Colombia and worked as a Management Assistant
for a Colombian Betting company.
When I moved to Madrid, Spain, worked as a Customer Service Team Leader position
monitoring, training, and evaluating the quality of telephone service, providing
guidelines to clear and effective Spanish communication.
I also worked as a full-time caregiver for several very well-known families in Madrid. I
cared for children with a range of ages from 3 to 14 years old, creating daily schedules,
and engaging in activities to ensure their healthy mental, physical, and emotional
growth.
This is my second year as a paraprofessional at Stephen Knight Center for Early
Childhood Education in DPS, assisting the classroom teacher with 4 and 5-year-old
students.
In addition, I like to organize children's activities, and educate the youngest in learning
of Spanish language at their basic levels, developing a casual learning environment.
I am a mom of 8 years old daughter who is studying at Carson Elementary School (third
grade).
I love to cook Colombian dishes, Mediterranean food, and sushi. In my spare time I also
enjoy traveling, biking, swimming, and hiking.
Paraeducator
casey_lehrer@dpsk12.net
I am a Colorado native, having graduated from Evergreen HS and receiving a BA from CU-Boulder. I have since lived in Cincinnati, Houston, and Phoenix, but Colorado is the only place I could ever call home. I worked in real estate development and marketing prior to taking time off to raise my family. I have 2 boys that now attend Hill and GW; prior to that they attended Montclair Elementary. It was my time there volunteering in the classroom regularly that made me realize that I wanted to work with elementary aged kiddos once the perfect opportunity arose… I am thrilled to be joining the Carson team! In my free time I love traveling with my husband and sons, reading, skiing, and hiking.
1:1 Paraprofessional
Jess_Piel@dpsk12.net
Another Colorado native and also Ms. Jenn’s youngest daughter!
Jess is a DPS graduate and Carson Alumni! She brings a special knowledge of the school and it’s character education program as well as building relationships with our students and creating a true sense of family.
My name is Maria Marisol Senecal-Mariscal. Currently, I have taught for 12 years private and group classes part-time in Spanish, ESL, and Italian for Culture and Languages LLC, which I am the founder and CEO. I have been teaching in the Denver Metro Area for the last Sixteen years and a total of twenty years in the USA. From children to adults of all ages. Education settings from K-12, university level, and seniors as well.
I hold a Master’s degree in Political Science and a licentiate Bachelor’s in Journalism. Born and lived in Mexico City for twenty-nine years, I achieved being a political advisor for candidates running for the presidency, a professor, and a journalist. I came to the USA where my passions are teaching, learning languages, traveling, and bringing communities together.
As a backpacker, I explored Mexico, Europe, and the United States in 1999. I am a very patient, passionate, and dedicated language teacher.
Activities I enjoy doing are swimming, reading, traveling, studying, languages, cooking, adventure, and learning.
I am a Denver native and a proud Carson mom. My grandmother was a Kindergarten teacher at Carson, too! I did not get the opportunity to help in her classroom, however, I was able to volunteer in my Aunt’s special education classroom. At a very young age I developed a passion for it. For much of my family, it began right here.
This is my third year working here at Carson. I have worked as a one-on-one special education para and I am currently supporting Carson’s Kindergarten team and their students. I feel fortunate to be a part of this community and I so grateful that I have the opportunity to do something I love every day.
D/HH Para
landon_squibbs@dpsk12.net
Hello. I am Debbie Heinz. I am a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, and an aunt. I am also a reader, a gardener, a yogi, a hiker/walker – plus on my best days I try to be mostly healthy, mostly positive, and, of course, mostly mindful and green. But, the most important thing about me is that I have always been a helper and an educator.
I have spent the last 25 years teaching a variety of grade levels in Denver Public Schools. (22 years at Steck Elementary, three years at Whittier Elementary. Prior to that I taught preschool and kinder at the Auraria Center. I live in the north Hilltop neighborhood and have grown to love this community. My three sons and my husband all attended the local Denver Public Schools. I am passionate about strong neighborhood public schools, supporting educators, and quality education for all learners.
I retired in July 2020 to be a helper for my extended family. Since that time I have missed having a school community to sink my roots into. I have missed having a school community in which to grow, learn and thrive. I am pleased to be joining Carson Elementary School this fall as a para educator/helper.
Library Tech
Tina_Emery@dpsk12.net
I am a Colorado native, and received my BA in Biology/Secondary education at the University of Northern Colorado. I spent a year teaching high school math and science, then took time off to raise my 3 kids, who all attended Carson Elementary and are now in high school and middle school. I was lucky enough to start as the library para 3 years ago, and even though an elementary school library position is far from teaching high school science, I love every minute of it; working with kids has always been my passion.
Outside of school, my favorite thing is being a mom. Our family loves to spend time at our cabins in the Poudre Canyon, fishing, hiking and just being together.
Reading Intervention
Cathy_Philpott@dpsk12.net
