An educator with over 20 years of experience, Katie Bradford serves not only as JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) Chair but also as Dean of the Arts and Media Department at Denver Academy. Mrs. Bradford is committed to making our community a safe and inclusive space for all learners. In recognition of her diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging accomplishments, Katie has received inclusive leader awards from Diversity IS, GlobalMindED, and the Mizel Museum. She was also named Queer Literacy Educator of the Year by CU Boulder and has also been honored by Denver Academy with Teacher of the Year and Lifetime Achievement (Wings of the Future) awards. Mrs. Bradford serves on the executive leadership team for the Colorado Diversity Network.
Mr. Fritzsche has been involved in art education and administration for over a decade. Mr. Fritzsche teaches DA film, video, visual art, and sound design courses. In addition to teaching, he is very active in the Colorado arts education community and sits on the board of directors for ArtSource Colorado.
Mr. Fritsche earned his B.F.A. in sculpture and metal arts from Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Mr. Laird comes to school every day with an aim to progress, evolve, adapt, and challenge both himself and his students. Although students see him as an art teacher, he likens his role as a mentor for future inventors and detectives. Mr. Laird has worked at multiple art galleries as well as another private school in Denver. A jazz and blues aficionado, he plays jazz guitar and enjoys the musical stylings of The Black Keys, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Ray Charles, among others.
Mr. Laird graduated with a B.F.A. in Art Education with an emphasis in Photography from Metropolitan State University of Denver.
A little spilled paint doesn’t bother Ms. Kayla Wheat. Open-mindedness and a sprinkle of fearlessness are important parts of the creative process. With an arts background and many years of working with the Denver Academy Summer Program and Elementary School, Ms. Wheat is both a teacher and an artisan. She is inspired by knowing that the upcoming generations will be the next great thinkers and doers in this world and she gets to play a small part in their formative years.
Ms.Wheat graduated from the University of Colorado at Denver with a B.A. in Film, Theater, & Video Production with an emphasis in Costume Design.
Mr. Ring has his bachelor's degree in communication arts with an emphasis in theatre and performance studies from Western State Colorado University. Before coming to DA he directed with the Gunnison Arts Center and taught theatre classes with KidStage Denver. He continually works to stay involved in the Denver theatre scene alongside teaching middle school and elementary theatre classes at DA.
Ms. Marks brings both her teaching experience and real world acting chops to Denver Academy’s Arts & Media Department. In addition to her time at DA, Ms. Marks previously taught at another independent school in Denver. She also earned her SAG-AFTRA card as a working actress in Los Angeles—you can catch her face in an episode of Glee!
Ms. Marks graduated from Colorado State University with a B.A. in Performing Arts with an emphasis in Theater.
Mr. Loose teaches music classes at Denver Academy for all grade levels. From elementary chorus to high school Rock Band, you'll see students in his classes singing, playing instruments, jamming and generally having fun. Mr. Loose plays several instruments and has spent 20 years performing with a bagpipe band and various other rock bands.
Mr. Loose holds a B.A. in Instrumental Music Education from Metropolitan State University of Denver.
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.