Meet the Faculty and Staff

Elementary School Faculty

List of 8 items.

Gemma Fagan

Transitional Kindergarten Teacher

Lancaster University (UK)
B.A. History
Newcastle University School of Education (UK)
Post Graduate Certificate Elementary Education/Early Childhood
Bio
I have been teaching in the USA since 1995, including teaching PK in CA, FL and CO. I also worked at a residential summer camp in NY for 11 years. My husband and I love to watch football in our free time – both our son's (Connor) and the Florida Gators games! I love to hike, garden, read and bird watch. I also have a daughter (Libby) who keeps me busy with art projects and make-overs!
Kristen Nelson

Kindergarten Teacher

Luther College
B.A. Elementary Education
Regis University
M.Ed. Reading
Bio
In my free time I enjoy running and training for half marathons, reading a good book while drinking coffee, laughing with my family, and practicing my cooking skills. I am enthusiastic and passionate about learning something new and growing with my students each day.
Stephanie Simkins

Kindergarten Teacher

University of Colorado at Boulder
B.A. History
B.A. Anthropology
University of Colorado Denver
M.A. Educational Psychology
Bio
Prior to joining the BCD community, I spent 5 years teaching preschool through 2nd grade in the Boulder area. I also spent some time working in a law firm with an emphasis in educational law. I am a Boulder native, and it should come as no surprise that I love to be in the mountains and play outside. You can also find me curled up with a good book or enjoying the company of my friends and family.
Honor Engle

Kindergarten Assistant Teacher

University of Vermont
B.A. English
Bio
I joined Boulder Country Day’s faculty in 2010. However, I have been a part of BCD’s community as a parent of two children since 2004. In my free time (or as I like to say, “when not doing laundry or running the vacuum”), I love to spend time with my two boys, Charlie and Christopher, and my husband, Doug. I also loves to do needle point, read books, listen to the Beetles (my all-time favorite band), and spend quiet, peaceful time at our family cabin on Lake Champlain. An interesting side note is that after college I went on a month long road trip with a couple of girlfriends. Together we drove from Washington, D.C. to British Columbia. The highlight of the trip was spending time in Glacier National Park.
Holly Lerner

First Grade Teacher

Wheaton College
B.A. Sociology (Minor in Early Education)
Pepperdine
M.Ed. Elementary Education
Bio
I have been teaching for over 16 years in both independent and public schools from California to Colorado. I live in Niwot with my husband and three children. My husband and and I spend quite a bit of our free time watching our kids play sports. As a family, we love to hike, walk our two golden retrievers, travel, and go the movies.
Sarah Slater

First Grade Teacher

Photo and bio coming soon...
Maddy Rhatigan

Second Grade Teacher

College of Charleston
BS in Elementary Education
Manhattanville College
MS in Elementary Special Education

Bio
I grew up in St. Louis Missouri where I went to an independent school PK - 12. I moved to Charleston South Carolina to go to College of Charleston. From Charleston I moved to Greenwich Connecticut to attend Grad School and teach at another independent school. After I graduated I moved to Colorado to be closer to my family who moved to Breckenridge CO while I was in college. I started teaching at another independent school in Boulder. My first year in Colorado I met my husband. We got married and a year later had our son Keegan. As a family we love to hike with our dog, go skiing/ snowboarding, and spend time with our families in Breckenridge and in southern California!
Kim Woodring

Second Grade Teacher

University of Toledo
B.A. - in Elementary Education
Bio
My favorite things about living in Boulder are the people, sunshine, and mountains. Prior to teaching at BCD, I taught first grade at Harding Academy in Nashville, Tennessee for six years. Before that I taught in North Ridgeville City Schools in Ohio for five years. When I am not teaching, you can most likely find me spending time outside with my family. I enjoy hiking, exploring, and anything to do with water.

List of 6 items.

Melissa Love

Third Grade Teacher

University of Colorado Boulder
B.A. Communication
University of Colorado Denver
M.A. Education
Bio
I moved to our beautiful state of Colorado when I was 7 years old and to Boulder when I was 18. After graduating from The University of Colorado, I traveled the world rock climbing. After returning to Boulder, I got married and had my two amazing sons, whom I home schooled from 2013-2019. In 2019 I was a substitute teacher in 8 of Boulder Valley School District’s schools in all grade levels. In my free time I love to read, visit museums, hike, climb, and dance. In the summer, you will typically find me on an adventure with my 2 sons, husband, and 2 rescue dogs.
Katherine Zuetell

Third Grade Teacher

University of Northern Colorado
B.A. Elementary Education and Social Sciences
University of Colorado at Boulder
Graduate coursework in Curriculum and Instruction
Bio
I enjoy reading, bike riding, hiking and traveling. It is a joy to spend the day with fourth graders and see them discover a love of reading and learning.
Amanda Demler

Fourth Grade Teacher
Cassidy Priegel

Fourth Grade Teacher

Loyola Marymount University
B.A. Elementary Education
CU Denver
M.A. Human Development and Education
Bio
This is my 3^rd year teaching, prior to BCD I taught 2^nd grade at a school in Commerce City. Last year I joined BCD as the Kindergarten Assistant and also worked After & Before care.

I am a Boulder native and enjoy doing anything that gets me outdoors. This past summer, I backpacked the Collegiate Loop, as well as the Four Pass Loop in Aspen. I also enjoy cooking, travelling, and spending time with my family.
Christine Fischer

Fifth Grade Teacher

Bio coming soon...
Marc-Andre Lacrampe

5th Grade Teacher

University of Colorado, Boulder
B.A. - Environmental Studies
Bio
I grew up in Monument, CO and did my undergrad at CU Boulder in Environmental Studies. I hold a Master's degree in Learning, Development, and Family Sciences from CU Denver. I love Colorado and being outdoors! I am a snowboarder, hiker, camper, and sneakerhead (ask me about it anytime). I am also a big fan of music and movies.

Boulder Country Day School 4820 Nautilus Court North • Boulder, Colorado 80301 • Phone - 303.527.4931 • info@bouldercountryday.org

Boulder Country Day School is a leading private school serving students 2 ½ years old - 8th grade. In partnership with our outstanding faculty and committed families, we uphold the highest standard for our balanced educational experience. Through small class sizes and innovative engagement in a supportive environment, students at BCD learn to explore their strengths and apply them to the world. Guided by our values, we believe the empowered minds that graduate from BCD will be the ones to ignite global change.