Lori Hull has been at Denver Academy since 1984 and has served as the Lower School Head since 2004. During her tenure, she has taught high school and elementary school, worked as Director of Admissions, and coordinated the Elementary Division. Lori works closely with her assistant, Angela Guzdar.
Ms. Hull received her degree in Elementary Education/Special Education from the University of Northern Colorado. She thinks the best part of her job is getting to know our awesome students.
Beyond teaching our 4th and 5th grade students, Jennifer Perry serves as DA's Elementary Dean, helping ensure quality teaching in the classroom and mentoring other teachers. In 2011, Jennifer received DA's Teacher of the Year Award, recognizing her outstanding performance in the classroom and her commitment to her students and our school.
Ms. Perry received her B.A. in Sociology from the University of Nebraska and her J.D. from the University of Denver.
Miranda Beck is starting her first year here at Denver Academy! She comes to us from Phoenix, Ariz., where she has taught Elementary School for the past three years. Ms. Beck is incredibly excited and proud to be a part of the fantastic family here at Denver Academy.
Ms. Beck got her undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona and her Master’s in Elementary Education from Arizona State University. Ms. Beck enjoys riding her bikes, taking her dog on adventures, and traveling with her husband in her free time. Cheers to a great year!
Ms. Jennings is thrilled to be guiding the 4th-grade classroom at Denver Academy this year! She hopes to create a safe space where learners can fully be themselves and dive into their curiosities. She is an avid hiker and yoga teacher who loves spending her free time outside in Colorado sunshine and with friends. New-ish to Denver from Boston, Ms. Jennings has a B.A. in Holistic Psychology and an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University and is working on completing her M.Ed
Ms. Pellouchoud (rhymes with “sell a shoe”) steers DA’s 1-3 grade classroom where she finds joy watching the rapid growth and development of her young students. She brings a wealth of experience from a variety of positions including instructing preschool children, teaching at a Waldorf school, and teaching English in Taiwan. Kyla is also a gifted arts instructor and has led adult classes in free poetry and glass fusing. In her free time, Ms. Pellouchoud is an avid backpacker and hiker who someday hopes to complete the final 100 miles of the Colorado Trail.
Ms. Pellouchoud earned her B.A. in English and M.A. in Teaching from Colorado College.
Ms. Topka is excited to start her first year at Denver Academy! She is so happy to be a part of the wonderful Denver Academy community. She enjoys hiking with her dog, running before school, and exploring new places. Ms. Topka grew up in Colorado but spent the last four years in D.C. teaching at The Lab School of Washington. She moved home this summer to be near family and the mountains. She received her BA in psychology from Denison University and her MA in special education from American University.
Denver Academy is a private school for students with varied learning profiles in grades 2-12, located in Denver, CO. DAinspires and empowers diverse learners through student-centered, differentiated, and transformative education.