Meet the High School Team

List of 29 members.

• 

  Mr. Mark Wood 

  Denver Academy

  Head of High School

  (303) 777-5870 ext 209

  Bio

  Since 1989, Mark Wood has been a fixture at Denver Academy. He served as a teacher in the Elementary and High School before his roles as High School Dean and now Head of the High School. Prior to his experience at DA, Mr. Wood worked as a counselor at a residential child care facility and as a drug and alcohol counselor. He works closely with his assistant, Diane Berry.

  
  

  Mark earned his B.S. in Human Rehabilitation Services and his M.A. in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Northern Colorado.

   
• 

  Mr. Chad Lindburg 

  Denver Academy

  Dean of 12th Grade

  (303) 777-5870 ext 320

  Bio

  Mr. Lindburg started teaching at Denver Academy in 1998. He has taught all high school math subjects—from Algebra I to Calculus—and held various titles at DA including, High School Math Chair and Learning Specialist. Chad likes the musical stylings of Radiohead and can't find a single bad thing to say about his job.

  
  

  Mr. Lindburg holds a B.A. in Music from Colorado Christian University.
• 

  Mr. Perry Butler 

  Denver Academy

  Dean of 10th Grade

  (303) 777-5870 ext 237

  Bio

  After nearly 20 years of teaching in and administrating the Denver Academy Middle School, Mr. Butler became the 10th Grade Dean in 2012. An avid hiker, Perry frequently leads field trips and experiential trips to the wondrous state and national parks in our own backyard. He lives in Littleton with his wife, sons and golden retriever, Canyon.

  
  

  Mr. Butler graduated with a B.A. in History from Providence College and an M.Ed. from the University of Bridgeport.
• 

  Ms. Jennifer Walker 

  Denver Academy

  Dean of 9th Grade

  (303) 777-5870 ext 228

  Bio

  Originally from Oklahoma, Ms. Walker fell in love with Colorado while on camping trips as a teenager. She always knew Colorado would one day be her home. Ms. Walker has been a part of the Denver Academy family since 2002. She loves teaching her literature, English, Anatomy & Physiology, Zoology, and Botany classes. An outdoor enthusiast, Jenni is working through her list of 14ers. While she has lived on a California wildlife refuge, she currently resides in Centennial with her two daughters and her dog, Gypsy. Ms. Walker was proud to be recognized as DA's Teacher of the Year in 2015.  

  
  Ms. Walker graduated with undergraduate degrees in Zoology and Botany from the University of Oklahoma.  

   
• 

  Mrs. Diane Berry 

  Denver Academy

  Assistant to High School Head, Registrar

  (303) 777-5870 ext 273

  Bio

  After more than 20 years as a teacher in early childhood education in Florida and Colorado, as well as five years as the office manager at Colorado Academy Summer Programs, Diane Berry joined Denver Academy in 2018 as the Assistant to the Head of High School and Registrar. In addition to her daily responsibilities, Diane also coordinates the DA graduation ceremony as well as other special events held at DA. She was awarded DA Staff of the Year in 2020.
• 

  Dr. Mindy Adair 

  Denver Academy

  Director of Mathematics & Technology Integration Specialist

  (303) 777-5870 ext 282

  Bio

  Dr. Adair joins Denver Academy with almost three decades of experience in education. Prior to Denver Academy, Dr. Adair enjoyed working at a local independent school where she was the math department chair, college counselor, and dean of students. She is thrilled to join this community of learners.
  
  

  Dr. Adair earned a B.A. in Mathematics and a Diploma in Education from the University of Colorado and an M.A. from the University of Phoenix in Education Administration and Supervision. She holds a Professional Teacher License and a Professional Principal License for the State of Colorado. Dr. Adair completed her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction specializing in Research Methods and Statistics at the University of Denver.
• 

  Mr. Ramsey Brookhart 

  Denver Academy

  9th Grade Teacher

  (303) 777-5870 ext 238

  Bio

  Since joining the DA faculty in 2003, Mr. Brookhart continues to amaze and delight his students, their parents and his fellow co-workers alike. In 2010, he was honored by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) as a Teacher of the Future. The prior year, Mr. Brookhart published a book, Globalistic, with his students, detailing life in a millennial classroom. Ramsey enjoys travelling and takes every opportunity to expose his students to the world through cultural themes and ecological concepts.

  
  Mr. Brookhart earned his B.A. in Spanish and B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Colorado, Boulder.
• 

  Mrs. Grayson Cole 

  Denver Academy

  11th Grade Lit/Junior Seminar Teacher

  (303) 777-5870 ext 293

  Bio

  Mrs. Grayson Cole earned her bachelor's degree from Baylor University, studying English and creative writing. Mrs. Cole went on to complete her master's degree at Boston College, where she taught introductory writing classes to college freshmen students. This experience not only inspired Mrs. Cole to continue teaching but also instilled in her the academic rigor necessary to grow students into capable writers as they pursue their future goals. At Denver Academy, Mrs. Cole loves to work one-on-one with all of her students and to guide her teaching around their unique needs and interests. When not in class, Mrs. Cole spends time outside exploring the Colorado mountains and also loves working on crossword puzzles with her husband Matt.
• 

  Mr. Robert Duhamel 

  Denver Academy

  10th Grade Teacher

  (303) 777-5870 ext 281

  Bio

  Mr. Duhamel began his journey as a teacher at the Denver Music Institute, where he taught piano, synthesizer and recording techniques. After working in Cherry Creek School District, teaching at an alternative high school for at-risk youth, Bobby found a home here at Denver Academy. He enjoys working at DA where teachers can thrive, learn and teach and where long-term relationships are valued and encouraged. In 2013, Bobby was honored as the Denver Academy Teacher of the Year.

  
  Mr. Duhamel attended the Metropolitan State University of Denver where he studied English, Creative Writing, and Music.
• 

  Mrs. Katey Frankel 

  Denver Academy

  10th Grade Teacher

  (303) 777-5870 ext 243
• 

  Ms. Alyssa Gafvert 

  Denver Academy

  High School/9th Grade Spanish Teacher

  (303) 777-5870 ext 220

  Bio

  Ms. Gafvert joined Denver Academy in 2018 and teaches Spanish language and culture.
  She is currently working on her master’s degree in secondary Spanish education with an
  emphasis on differentiated learning from Regis University. Ms. Gafvert lived and studied in
  Buenos Aires, Argentina for six months and travels when she can to Latin and
  South America. Although Ms. Gafvert’s students groan at all of the cheesy songs she
  plays in class, she knows the students secretly love them, and she believes that incorporating
  different media into the classroom is important for engagement and retention.
• 

  Ms. Emily Kelly 

  Denver Academy

  10th Grade Teacher

  (303) 777-5870 ext

  Bio

  Emily Kelly is a passionate and adventurous high school educator from South Louisiana where she received her bachelor's in Secondary Teaching & Instruction with a focus in English at the University of Louisiana. Ms. Kelly aims to inspire her students to embrace the power of words and storytelling. Beyond the classroom, you'll find Ms. Kelly embarking on world travels and adventures, such as hiking, camping, or discovering hidden gems around the world. She eagerly seizes opportunities to immerse herself in diverse cultures and try new experiences, instilling an insatiable curiosity in her students. Ms. Kelly also enjoys celebrating her Cajun roots through cooking.
• 

  Ms. Amethyst King 

  Denver Academy

  Senior Seminar Teacher

  (303) 777-5870 ext

  Bio

  Amethyst holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a concentration in education from Columbia University and a Master of Science in Teaching from the University of Pennsylvania. While completing her master’s degree, Amethyst taught history courses and then took her newfound knowledge across the world with a project-based, international traveling high school. Ms. King led the academic writing program and developed new units in different countries including storytelling in Botswana, architecture in Mexico, and robotics in Dubai.
• 

  Mr. Andrew Klaus-Corritore 

  Denver Academy

  9th Grade Teacher

  (303) 777-5870 ext 223

  Bio

  Mr. Klaus-Corritore has been teaching 9th graders at DA about the annals of history since 2005. Beyond his teaching duties, Andy coaches high school golf and high school girls basketball.

  
  Mr. Klaus-Corritore earned his degree in History and Education from Villanova University.
• 

  Jennifer Ledford 

  Denver Academy

  High School Spanish Teacher

  (303) 777-5870 ext 290

  Bio

  Ms. Ledford joined Denver Academy in 2022 after spending the previous 16 years in Spanish classrooms in Kentucky and Colorado. One of the most transformational experiences in her career has been traveling the world with her students. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Ledford loves to read and, of course, travel. She lives in Lakewood with her fiancée and their dog Truman, the feisty Frenchie. Ms. Ledford holds a B.A. in Spanish Language & Literature from Georgetown College in Georgetown, KY.
• 

  Ms. Denise Levesque 

  Denver Academy

  12th Grade Teacher

  (303) 777-5870 ext 249

  Bio

  Denise comes to Denver Academy with more than 30 years of experience working in education. She has a master's in both European History and International Education Administration. Ms. Levesque has taught in Colorado and overseas. She brings a passion for history and a firm belief that every student can learn history and learn it well. 

  When not in the classroom, Denise enjoys kayaking, biking and is currently pursuing the perfect golf swing. 
• 

  Ms. Kristi Mackenzie 

  Denver Academy, Inc.

  10th Grade Teacher

  (303) 777-5870 ext 298

  Bio

  We welcome Ms. Mackenzie back to Denver Academy this year after her previous work at our school from 2000 to 2004. During her four-year tenure at DA as a Prep High School Teacher, Ms. Mackenzie taught multiple science and math classes, mentored five homeroom classes in grades 9 to 11, and organized college visitations for 11th graders. She has also worked as a teacher for the Denver Public and Jefferson County School Districts and as an adjunct professor for Salt Lake City Community College. Ms. Mackenzie has a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in chemistry from the University of San Diego and a Master of Science in Medical Genetics from the University of Colorado, Health Sciences Center. 
• 

  Russell Mowry 

  Denver Academy

  High School Mathematics Teacher

  (303) 777-5870 ext 310

  Bio

  Russ hails from Austin, Texas, the live music capital of the world. He's been teaching for 20 years in subjects including mathematics, technology, public speaking, and religious studies. Russ is passionate about diversity/inclusion, mountain biking, playing guitar, running, and exploring the outdoors with his family. He loves finding new and creative ways to teach people about math, and showing them that mathematics can be interesting, accessible, and actually FUN!
• 

  Mr. Alan Price 

  Denver Academy

  12th Grade Teacher

  (303) 777-5870 ext 272

  Bio

  Mr. Price spent the first 16 years of his career working as a counselor, teacher, and administrator at a residential treatment facility for youth. In 2005, he came to Denver Academy to teach science and in 2008 became the High School Science Chair. Unsurprisingly, Mr. Price, "the science guy," thinks that everyone should read, The Greatest Show on Earth: Evidence for Evolution, by Richard Dawkins.

  
  

  Alan earned his B.S. in Political Science from the University of Michigan (Go Blue!) and is pursuing his M.A. in Special Education from the University of Colorado, Denver.
• 

  Mr. Austin Rindfuss 

  Denver Academy

  9th Grade Teacher

  (303) 777-5870 ext

  Bio

  Austin Rindfuss is part of the ninth-grade team at Denver Academy. He previously worked at a private residential setting in Massachusetts where he worked with students with a variety of moderate disabilities. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Special Education from Wheelock College in Boston, Mass., and his M.Ed in Inclusive Education from Stonehill College.
• 

  Ryan Stander 

  Denver Academy

  High School Science & Chemistry Teacher

  (303) 777-5870 ext 315

  Bio

  Prior to coming to Denver Academy, Mr. Stander spent eight years teaching many different high school science courses at Marburn Academy, a school with a similar student population as Denver Academy. Before becoming a teacher, he also spent 13 years managing the Ecology Research Center at Miami University of Ohio where Mr. Stander earned both his B.S. and M.S. in Zoology with a focus on Ecology.
• 

  Samantha Thiel 

  Denver Academy

  9th Grade Teacher/Spanish

  (303) 777-5870
• 

  Clifford Thompson 

  Denver Academy

  High School Mathematics Teacher

  (303) 777-5870 ext 299

  Bio

  Mr. Thompson has been passionate about mathematics since first discovering numbers, earning his B.S. in economics and mathematics. Since that time, he has worked in a variety of professional capacities including as a Budget and Policy Analyst for the State of Colorado and as a college-level mathematics tutor.

   

  Mr. Thompson has spent the last two years at St. Anne’s Episcopal School teaching fourth grade, tutoring mathematics, and substituting for a variety of grade levels. Mr. Thompson is currently enrolled in a Master's of Mathematics Education program at the University of Colorado - Denver.
• 

  Mrs. Aurora Umana-Arko 

  Denver Academy

  Director of College & Transition Counseling

  (303) 777-5870 ext 244

  Bio

  With 27 years of experience as a public school educator, Aurora Umana-Arko is excited to join Denver Academy this year. Over her career, Aurora wore many hats: high school English teacher; yearbook, newspaper, and journalism teacher; reading teacher and literacy specialist; school counselor; assessment facilitator; high school principal; and GED program specialist. 

  
  

  Outside of education, Aurora also worked as an EMDR-trained trauma counselor.

  
  

  Aurora enjoys writing, reading, talking about all things college- and career-oriented, and working with young people. As the new teacher of Senior Seminar, she gets to meld everything she loves the most (besides her family) into one job!

  
  

  Aurora earned her Bachelor of Arts in English and her Master of Arts in school counseling from Adams State University.
• 

  Mr. Richard Umbach 

  Denver Academy

  12th Grade Teacher

  (303) 777-5870 ext 246
• 

  Ms. Kirsten Wander 

  Denver Academy

  11th Grade Teacher

  (303) 777-5870 ext 312
• 

  Ms. Cayla Warneke 

  Denver Academy

  11th Grade Teacher

  (303) 777-5870 ext 225

  Bio

  Ms. Warneke says the best part of her job is building relationships with students. Indeed, it's not surprising that parents and students alike can't help being won over by her bright, good-natured personality. At Denver Academy, you'll find Ms. Warneke teaching Spanish and Literature and acting as a 9th Grade Homeroom Teacher. Outside of school, Cayla loves being with her family and teaching dance.   

  
  Ms. Warneke earned her B.A. in Secondary Education (English and Spanish) from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
• 

  Ms. Kacie Wulf 

  Denver Academy, Inc.

  11th Grade Dean

  (303) 777-5870 ext 214

  Bio

  Ms. Ireland joined Denver Academy in the fall of 2018 as the Sophomore Divison's TA. She now teaches 10th grade English and Humanities. Beyond her role as a mentor in the classroom, Ms. Ireland enjoys coaching cheerleading after school. She is known for her love of poetry, grammar, and creative writing. Outside of academics, you can catch Ms. Ireland walking her dogs and spending time with her family! 

   

  Ms. Ireland graduated with honors and her BSBA in Marketing from the University of Arizona in 2016.
• 

  Ms. Wanda Zimmermann 

  Denver Academy

  High School Teacher

  (303) 777-5870 ext 307

  Bio

  Twenty years in the IT sector provided Ms. Zimmermann with a solid foundation of applied mathematics as well as managing diverse groups of personalities. Wanda celebrates her inner geekdom and enjoys bonding with her students over their shared love of programming languages and breadboards. Now in her second career, she's still having fun.  

  
  

  Ms. Zimmermann earned her B.S. in Mathematics from Binghampton University.