Meet New DA Staff

For the 2022-23 school year, Denver Academy is excited to welcome to our team new faculty and staff, including Athletic Director Elijah Bonner, Director of College & Transition Counseling Sara House, Development Associate Heather Dodd, Development Associate Julia Teitell, School Counselor Julia Baldassari, and School Counselor Kristy Vance. In addition, teachers new to DA were on campus in July as part of a three-week teacher training program on Denver Academy's approach to teaching and learning. 

Elijah Bonner joins DA’s Athletic Department as Athletic Director. Mr. Bonner most recently served as Physical Education Coordinator at Casady School, an independent, co-educational K-12 school in Oklahoma City, Okla. Coach Bonner also spent the last two years as Head Varsity Baseball Coach and Varsity Football Coach for the Casady School. Previously, Coach Bonner worked for 15 years as an athletic director and physical education teacher in San Francisco, Calif. Mr. Bonner has a degree in business from Utah State University and is working on attaining a master’s degree in sports administration. 

Ms. House returns to Denver Academy’s College & Transition Counseling Department after her previous tenure as a teacher in the high school division from 2000 to 2006 during which time she was the faculty representative for Student Senate, National Honor Society, Experiential Education, and was even named Teacher of the Year! Sara has a master’s degree in special education and has been an educator for 23 years. Since leaving DA, she has been an independent consultant for high school and college students specializing in executive function coaching, academic advocacy in the public sector, and college counseling.

Heather Dodd is excited to join the Denver Academy community as a development associate. Her previous experience includes writing marketing materials and teaching primary grades in English and Spanish.

Heather brings with her a passion for helping students succeed. She earned her B.A. in bilingual education and her M.A. in literacy education. Her goal at DA is to help build The Fund for Denver Academy and make this thriving environment accessible to more children.

Julia Teitell is excited about joining the Denver Academy community as a development associate. Julia is passionate about youth development and experiential education. Prior to joining the Development Team at Denver Academy, Julia was the assistant director of a residential summer camp outside of Idaho Springs. She also held the roles of program manager of two programs for Volunteers of America, and youth director at a synagogue in Denver. 

Julia grew up in Littleton, Colo., and received her Bachelor of Arts and Science in Human Development & Family Studies and Sociology from Colorado State University. After graduating, Julia served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in central China. 

Julia enjoys exploring delicious restaurants around Denver, hanging out with her friends, and walking her dog, Bueller. 

Julia received her bachelor's in English with a minor in education, inquiry, and justice from Georgetown University. She then taught ninth and 11th grade English at St. Andrew's Episcopal School in Maryland while working in the school's Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning. Through this position, she became fascinated with the science of learning and discovered her passion for supporting teachers. She also realized that she wanted to help students overcome mental health challenges during their academic journey. After moving to Denver, she received her master's degree in social work from the University of Denver, earning certificates in school social work and animal-assisted social work. She is a licensed social worker in the State of Colorado. She comes to Denver Academy after serving as a therapist at Mount Saint Vincent, an agency serving children who have experienced trauma.

Kristy Vance received her bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in elementary and special education from William Smith College. Kristy taught third grade before pursuing her passion for special education and working at The Joshua School and Firefly Autism with students with developmental disabilities. Working closely with talented professionals, families, and unique learners allowed Kristy to discover that a career in social work would allow her to fulfill her professional goals of helping students and their networks of support to close the gaps between school, home, and the community. Kristy received her master's in social work from the University of Denver. Kristy's work spans from early childhood social skills and trauma work through teenage and young adult behavioral and academic support. She has worked in a variety of settings including public and private schools, community mental health centers, nonprofit academic enrichment programs, and private practice.