Welcome to our New DA Employees

For the 2025-26 school year, Denver Academy is excited to welcome new full-time faculty and staff. New staff positions at DA this year are an Associate Head of School (see article above) and an Associate Director of Development. All new faculty and staff, as well as returning employees taking on new roles this school year, were on campus in July as part of a three-week teacher training program focused on Denver Academy's approach to teaching and learning.

Our new High School Athletic Director Mark Leadbetter brings a strong background in education and athletics, having served as a high school teacher, athletic director, and coach at the high school, club, and collegiate levels. He has also worked with regional youth sports organizations and coached with the Olympic Development Program. His coaching experience includes the collegiate level, serving as Head Women’s Club Soccer Coach at Regis University. Coach Leadbetter holds a bachelor’s degree in Education from Miami University and a master’s degree in Sports Management from Colorado State University.  

Molly Nuanes is the new Associate Director of Development. Born and raised in Denver, she spent the first decade of her career in art museums, creating interpretive materials for kids and families and live programs for adults. She also led programs for high school students where they collaborated with artists to create exhibitions and events. Most recently, Molly was Director of Operations at La Napoule Art Foundation, where she managed general operations as well as programs, grants, and fundraising. Her workplace joy comes from collaborating with people and crafting fun and exciting experiences. Molly earned her B.A. in Art History and Political Science from Tulane University and her M.A. in Art History and Museum Studies from the University of Denver. Outside of work, she loves to travel, cook and bake, spoil her nieces and nephew, and hang with her partner and their silly dog, Rooney.

Originally from Massachusetts, Ms. Conroy earned her bachelor's degree in English and Secondary Education at Roger Williams University in Rhode Island. After spending some years teaching English and then working as a special education teacher in an inclusive English classroom, she moved to Colorado, where she earned her M.A. in English Literary Studies at the University of Denver. While in Colorado for the past five years, Ms. Conroy continued to teach English and support students as a special education teacher, worked as a writing consultant at DU, and spent some time as a floral designer. She is an avid learner of different subjects and topics, and she enjoys supporting students on their learning journeys.

Mrs. MJ joined DA from Los Angeles, though she originally hails from Vermont. With a background in teaching students in grades K–4, Mrs. MJ is passionate about helping elementary learners discover how they learn best. She loves weaving mindfulness and yoga into daily routines, believing these practices nurture both focus and well-being. Deeply committed to social justice, Mrs. MJ strives to create inclusive classroom spaces where every student feels a sense of belonging. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Bates College in Maine and her M.Ed. from the University of San Francisco. Outside the classroom, you’ll often find her cooking, knitting, or exploring the outdoors with her husband, daughter, and mini-Australian shepherd. 

Olivia relocated to Denver from Atlanta, where she dedicated three years to teaching at a school specializing in dyslexia and language-based learning differences. She holds a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Florida State University. Additionally, Olivia is certified in the Orton-Gillingham approach at both the Classroom Educator and Associate Levels. Her passion for teaching shines through her commitment to helping students achieve their goals. Outside of the classroom, Olivia enjoys reading, hiking, and skiing.

A native of Miami with roots in Nicaragua, Mr. Narvaez has a deep passion for Spanish and languages. He creates an engaging learning environment where students feel inspired to explore the richness of the Spanish language and culture. His enthusiasm for teaching goes hand in hand with his belief that learning is a collaborative experience, where both students and teachers inspire and learn from one another. An avid traveler, Mr. Narvaez enjoys immersing himself in new cultures and cuisines, further enriching his understanding of the world. He holds a degree in Business Administration from Florida International University and earned his teaching certification through the ASPIRE program at the University of Colorado Denver.

Born and raised in Denver, Mr. Stefaniak began his journey at DA as a fourth grader and continued through 12th grade, proudly graduating as a Mustang in 2018. His love for the school, its mission, and its people inspired him to return, this time as a teacher. Mr. Stefaniak earned his B.A. in Elementary Education from Metropolitan State University of Denver. He now brings his passion for learning and dedication to students into his classroom every day. Outside of teaching, you can often find him soaking up Colorado’s great outdoors—whether hiking mountain trails, discovering hidden gems around Denver, or cheering on local sports teams (with a special place in his heart for the Denver Broncos).