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Tricia Callahan
Resource Teacher
- Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education (N-6), State University of New York, Oneonta, NY
- Graduate Courses, School Counseling Linguistics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO
- Schools Attuned Certified
Working with children has been a passion for me since childhood. In 1981, I started on a career path that has led me to Friends’ School. I taught both first and second grade in California then settled in Colorado. I was a reading teacher for 11 years before coming to Friends’ School in 2004. Working with children in all of the elementary grades is both exciting and challenging. Watching children progress from year to year is such a joy. I feel fortunate to be working with such a dedicated and caring staff.
I am a lover of books, various outdoor activities and music. I live in Louisville with my husband and daughter.
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Maria Cristina Aguilera
Spanish Teacher
- B.S. in Education, M.S. in Early Childhood Education, Ed.S. in Educational Administration and Supervision
My passion for children and learning has played out in a 20+ year teaching career in Wisconsin, Brazil, Venezuela, and Colorado. I always knew that a career in education was for me since I loved learning and playing 'school' as a little girl. Spanish is my native language, so naturally I began by teaching it at the high school level. Realizing that by then it was too late, I went on to study child development and second language acquisition. My teaching career was temporarily interrupted by marriage and the raising of three daughters, but not for long. CHICLES (Children's Conversational Spanish Classes) was my answer to keeping my foot in the educational door. This program was run out of Jarrow Montessori School in Boulder and successfully taught young children 5-10 yrs. old Spanish after school and during summer camps. Soon Boulder Valley School District got wind of a new bilingual teacher in town and I was recruited to teach at Columbine Elementary. Several teachers there and I helped create Escuela Bilingue Washington where I taught the Spanish component of a 2/3 bilingual class. I experienced school administration long enough to know that my love was for children and teaching, so back to the classroom I went. The last nine years of my career were spent at Boulder H.S. as an ESL teacher. I retired last June and am very excited about being the Elementary Spanish Teacher at Friends' School next fall.
Given the research indicating that young children's brains create new synapses while learning a second language thereby putting them in a position to exceed the learning of their monolingual peers as they mature, my goal is to instill a love of learning Spanish in each and every child I teach. Additionally, I will bring into my lessons cultural aspects of many different Spanish speaking countries around the world. Integrating my lessons with content the children are learning in their classrooms will spark their curiosity and interest, making Spanish more 'real' for them. Our children, the future leaders of our country, will need to compete in a global economy where the ability to speak English and another language will be necessary.
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Priscilla Adams
Music Teacher, 2nd-5th Grades
- Bachelor of Music Education, Wheaton College, Wheaton IL
- Masters of Music Education, Towson State University, Towson, MD
I have been helping children learn about and discover the joys of music for 30 years now, in public schools in Maryland and in Colorado. Most of my career was spent in Aurora Public Schools, teaching kindergarten through fifth grade. In June 2006 with wonderful memories and an undiminished passion for teaching music, I retired.
I am thrilled to become a part of the Friends’ School family this fall. I believe that music truly is the universal language. Music allows each of us to be creative and self-expressive. My goal is to provide meaningful music experiences in a positive, accepting environment, which in turn will foster life-long participation in the arts.
When not teaching at Friends’, I enjoy singing (surprise!) with several choirs including the Colorado Symphony Chorus. In quiet moments I read or knit. Outdoor activities include hiking and skiing. I’ll be the slow poke that you pass on the trails and the slopes!
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Kristin McLean
Music Teacher, Preschool-1st Grade
- Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies: Music and Early Childhood Education, Naropa University, Boulder, CO
I am so excited to begin my second year teaching music at Friends’! Getting to know the preschool, Kindergarten, and first grade kids has been an amazing and wonderful experience, and I look forward to doing it again this year. Teaching music to children is very fulfilling, and I feel blessed to be working at a school that honors communication, individuality and growth of the spirit. When I am part of a circle of kids singing, playing instruments and dancing, I feel like I’m where I’m supposed to be. Music can bring people incredible joy. I hope that through teaching my classes, I can encourage children to enjoy creating music. My goal is to convey to them that every person can be musical, and that music making is about enjoying creating songs by yourself and with your community. The kids inspire me every day to keep learning and growing musically and otherwise, because I see them having so much fun doing it.
When I am not at Friends’ School, I am teaching music at preschools in the Boulder/Westminster area, and I also teach Music Together. I got married in June of 2006, and my husband and I are happily settling into married life. You can find me hanging out at the Boulder Farmer’s Market and hiking with my dog when the weather is warm! I also love to play music and sing with other people, explore Colorado nature, ski, travel, spend time with good friends and practice hula hooping.
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Rachel Relin
Art Teacher
- Bachelor of Fine Arts, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
- Master of Fine Arts, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA
I became acquainted with Friends' School in the 2004-2005 school year while teaching after-school art enrichment classes. I was immediately taken with this school, where a wonderful sense of community is shared among the students, parents, and staff!
Some of my fondest memories are the times I spent immersed in paint and clay as a child. Teaching art at Friends’ School allows me to channel my ever-present passion and enthusiasm for art into each classroom.
My education includes two years studying art history and anthropology at McGill University, then completing my BFA in painting at Concordia University in Montreal. I returned to school to pursue a MFA in Fiber Art at the Savannah College of Art and Design.
My teaching experiences range from teaching Fiber Art at the Maryland Institute, College of Art, as well as working to develop art programs for the Museum of International Folk Art, and the Georgia O'Keefe Museum in Santa Fe. I have taught at many schools, both public and private, as well as creating my own children's art studio in New Mexico. I was thrilled to have been able to participate in the Friends' School internship program during the 2005-2006 school year, and to be able to return as the school's art specialist.
My own family includes my husband James, and our two sons Simon and Oliver. When I am not at school I savor time with my family, in the studio painting and weaving, and the garden.
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Kathy Sherwood
Physical Education Teacher,
Elementary Activities Director
- Bachelor of Science, Physical Education, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL
- Master of Arts, Adapted Physical Education, Texas Women's University, Denton, TX
I love teaching. I have been teaching in areas related to Physical Education for over 20 years. I have been a Special Olympics Director and Coach, an Infant Stimulation and Preschool Gymnastics teacher, an Elementary & High School PE teacher and Gymnastics coach, an Adapted Physical Education District Consultant, and a Fitness Trainer for Special Populations. In addition, I taught Adapted PE undergraduate classes at the Univ. of Colorado and have worked in a variety of recreation department and summer camp jobs. For 12 years I owned and directed a children’s center in Boulder that included gym classes, a preschool and summer camps. I started teaching at Friends’ School in 1998 and loved the program so much I moved my own children to Friends’. The staff is dedicated and the community of students is truly wonderful and fun.
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deana harragarra waters
Librarian
- Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
- Masters of Library Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
- Juris Doctor, University of Oklahoma Law School, Norman, OK
I have been happy to be a part of the Friends’ School community since 1999. Many years ago, when interviewing for graduate school, I told the selection committee my goal was to be a children’s librarian on an Indian reservation. My desire to be a children’s librarian was largely influenced by my Kiowa grandfather who was sent to boarding school where books and the love of reading were instilled in him. Previously I have worked as a medical librarian at Children’s Hospital, graduated from law school, was in private law practice, worked as a law librarian at a nonprofit legal organization, and sat as my tribe’s first judge in the Otoe-Missouria court system. It is my desire now to continue my grandfather’s influence by nurturing the love of books and reading to all the students at Friends’ School.
Away from Friends’ I enjoy sewing, quilting, reading, playing piano and volunteering. I am happily married and wonderfully blessed to be the mother of two delightful daughters.
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Erika Norman
Math Teacher
- Bachelor of Arts, Child Study, Tufts University, Medford, MA
- Master of Arts, Lieracy and Reading, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO
My journey to Friends’ has been a decade-long one during which I taught 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade, as well as gifted and talented students K-5. During this time I learned a great deal from many gifted colleagues and many wonderful students. Together we struggled, laughed, and learned about ourselves and learning.
I am a Colorado native, and when not teaching or being a Mom to two beautiful little girls, I like to be outside skiing, hiking, reading, traveling,or spending time with friends and my dog. Teaching and learning are a journey of discovery, and if we fail, it will only be a failure of imagination. Friends’ inspires not only my imagination but my respect, and I feel blessed to be a part of this community.
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