Meet the Middle School Team

List of 12 members.

• 

  Mrs. Lori Hull 

  Denver Academy

  Head of Lower School

  (303) 777-5870 ext 208

  Bio

  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.
• 

  Mr. Matt Dastin 

  Denver Academy

  Dean of Middle School East

  (303) 777-5870 ext 234

  Bio

  Mr. Dastin became part of the DA family in 1998. He first worked at the High School in what was then the Progressive Division and proudly helped create a much-needed jobs program. Matt was appointed Middle School Dean in 2004. In his tenure, he has shared a classroom with many interns and trained numerous well-qualified teachers. He sees the potential in each student and strives to make them all lifelong learners.

  
  

  Mr. Dastin earned his B.A. in English from St. Michael's College.

   

• Ms. Isabel Anderson 

  Denver Academy

  Middle School Teacher

  (303) 777-5870 ext

  Bio

  Ms. Anderson comes to Denver Academy after working previously as a middle school teacher at the Montessori School of Evergreen. She also served as the Critical Literacy/Ethnic Studies Teacher for Denver Public Schools’ PREP Academy. Ms. Anderson received her Master of Education in Language & Literacy from Harvard Graduate School of Education and is currently working on her Secondary 1-2 Certification from Houston Montessori Center.  
• 

  Mr. Charles Beckwith 

  Denver Academy

  Middle School Teacher

  (303) 777-5870 ext 269

  Bio

  Charles G. Beckwith is an avid fly fisher, chess player, and three-time winner of the venerable Denver Academy Chili Cook-Off. He should have won this prestigious award five times, had it not been for the furtive meddling of his good friend, and fellow middle school teacher, Mr. Green. He enjoys infusing civics, logic, critical thinking, and philosophy into his curricula. He graduated from the University of Colorado, Denver. Charles was the 2014 Denver Academy Teacher of the Year.
• 

  Ms. Hannah Crawford 

  Denver Academy

  Middle School Teacher

  (303) 777-5870 ext 311

  Bio

  Ms. Crawford was a Denver Academy Teacher's Assistant for three years and is also a DA alumna. Ms. Crawford likes walking around her neighborhood and investigating some of the hidden gems Denver has to offer. She is excited for the return of football season but really can't wait for college basketball to start! She received her undergraduate degree in Sociology from the University of Arizona and is in the process of finishing a Master of Teaching in Special Education from Metropolitan State University of Denver. Ms. Crawford is excited to teach at DA and couldn't imagine a better place to work! 
• 

  Ms. Cecelia Duhamel 

  Denver Academy

  Middle School Teacher

  (303) 777-5870 ext 231

  Bio

  Ms. Duhamel is excited to join the Middle School Team this year! She aims to use her English background to instill confidence in her students and excitement into the classroom. Dancing and writing extremely deep poetry takes up most of her free time as she continues to explore the beauty of colorful Colorado.

   

  Ms. Duhamel graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a BA in Secondary English Education and a minor in Dance.
• 

  Mrs. Vanessa Fritzsche 

  Denver Academy

  Middle School Teacher

  (303) 777-5870 ext 331

  Bio

  In her career, Ms. Fritzsche has worked in a small, local Catholic school as well as large, urban, public high schools. She enjoys the smaller school setting that DA provides so she can work more effectively with each of her students. Vanessa also co-chairs Experiential Education week with her colleague Virginia Hermann.
  
  Ms. Fritzsche graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver with a B.A. in Language Arts. She earned her M.A. in Secondary Teacher Leadership, Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Colorado, Denver.
• 

  Mr. Andrew Green 

  Denver Academy

  Middle School Teacher

  (303) 777-5870 ext 296

  Bio

  Mr. Green has nearly a decade of teaching experience. He has also served as the Dean of Students and Director of Admissions at another Denver private school. During the summers, you can find him on the tennis courts at Hiwan Country Club Evergreen, where he works as the head tennis pro.
  
  Mr. Green earned his M.S. in English Education from Syracuse University.
• 

  Mikaela Martinez 

  Denver Academy

  Middle School Teacher

  (303) 777-5870 ext 252

  Bio

  Ms. Martinez joined Denver Academy in 2019 as a Teacher's Assistant and now has her own classroom in the Middle School. Born and raised in Colorado, she loves to ski as well as play volleyball. Ms. Martinez has an affinity for photography and filmmaking. She is constantly inspired by her colleagues and students at DA and cannot imagine a more incredible place to work! She has a passion for making everyone around her feel seen and hopes to create a classroom where students can feel safe and excited to learn.

  
  

  Ms. Martinez earned her B.A. in Psychology and Public Relations from Coe College in Iowa.
• 

  Ms. Kyndal Petrie 

  Denver Academy

  Middle School/6th Grade Teacher

  (303) 777-5870 ext 270
• 

  Ms. Emily Popper 

  Denver Academy

  Middle School Teacher

  (303) 777-5870 ext 283

  Bio

  Emily Popper comes to Denver Academy from The Churchill School & Center in New York City, where she taught English, Math and History to students with language-based learning differences (2009-2016). Her intention as an educator is to create a safe space for all students—one that emphasizes respect, pride and teamwork—wherein ideas are explored and risks taken without fear of judgment. 
  
  

  Beyond the classroom, Emily acted as Middle School Student Council Coordinator, Head Coach and site leader for Girls On the Run and Assistant Director of Middle School Performing Arts. Emily is ecstatic to be joining the DA community and to embrace the Denver lifestyle!
  
  

  Emily graduated from the University of Vermont with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Theatre. She earned her master’s degree in Educational Theatre and English from New York University.
• 

  Mr. Joseph Senne 

  Denver Academy

  Middle School Teacher

  (303) 777-5870 ext 335

  Bio

  Since 2005, students have loved having Mr. Senne as their teacher. Joe was lauded as the Denver Academy Teacher of the Year in the 2008-2009 school year. In addition to molding young minds, Joe coaches DA High School baseball and spends many of his summer days supervising--and having fun with--DA day campers.
  
  Mr. Senne earned his B.A. in Psychology from the University of Colorado.