Meet our team
Our Administrators
Pikes Peak Online School (PPOS) administrators are ready to share their innovation, expertise, and enthusiasm with your family. Their leadership is dedicated to empowering our school community.
Nicole Tiley | Head of School
Mrs. Tiley is the head of school for Colorado Preparatory Academy and PPOS, and joined the team 11 years ago. She has worked as a special education teacher, a K–12 academic director, and a head of school. Mrs. Tiley earned a BA in special education from the Pennsylvania State University. She completed her Master of Education from Northern Arizona in special education. She also completed an additional Master of Education degree in educational leadership with an emphasis in K–12 administration.
Mrs. Tiley was awarded the 2006 Westside Impact Teacher of the Year and was a 2006 Rodel Exemplary Teacher Finalist. She enjoys coaching youth basketball and soccer.
Allison Smith | Principal
Dr. Smith is the principal at PPOS. She's been with Stride K12 since 2016. She earned her MA in educational leadership from Regis University and her doctorate in Organizational Leadership in K-12 Education from Grand Canyon University. Throughout her career, Dr. Smith has taught at all levels from early childhood to college and in all subject areas. She is passionate about building strong relationships with staff, students, and families; getting students on their path to success; and providing support and guidance along the way.
Greg Terry | Assistant Principal
This is Mr. Terry’s first year as AP. He has been teaching for 12 years with nine of those being in an online setting. He earned his BA in secondary education and mathematics concurrently from the University of Wyoming and his master's from the University of Colorado Denver. Mr. Terry also holds certificates in secondary mathematics and as a special education generalist.
Kimber Podsedek | Operations Manager
Ms. Podsedek is the manager of school operations for Stride K12-powered schools in Colorado. She has been with Stride K12 since 2007. Before her role as manager of school operations, she worked as a high school advisor. She loves working with all our wonderful staff and families to support all the different learning options our schools have.
Lisa Balagat | Assistant Manager of Operations
Ms. Balagat is the assistant manager of school operations for Stride K12-powered schools in Colorado. She's been with Stride K12 since 2013. She has worked in education for nearly 30 years in many support staff positions including classroom assistant, attendance clerk, counseling secretary, and registrar.
Stacy Altman | Director of Special Services
Ms. Altman is the director of special services for Colorado Preparatory Academy and PPOS. She joined Stride K12 as a special education teacher in 2005 and has been working in her current position for 10 years. She brings more than 22 years of experience in education. Ms. Altman earned a BA in psychology and a master's degree in special education. She holds multiple certifications in special education.
Julie Casten | Family Engagement Administrator
Mrs. Casten is the family engagement administrator for Colorado Preparatory Academy and PPOS and joined Stride K12 in 2014. She brings more than eight years of experience in education, community service, school start-up, family engagement, and support. She earned a BS from Colorado State University.
Michelle Taylor | Registrar
Mrs. Taylor is a registrar who joined Stride K12 in July 2018. She's worked in secondary education for more than 13 years. She earned her BS in exercise science from Pacific University in Oregon and her MAT in athletic training from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Mrs. Taylor is currently working on her MBA and enjoys spending time with her family and watching sports.
Jennifer Lauderdale | Truancy Officer
Mrs. Lauderdale is PPOS's truancy officer and joined Stride K12 in 2017. She received her BA in criminal justice with an emphasis in sociology from California State University, Bakersfield. After moving to Colorado in 2008, she worked for six years for the 18th Judicial District Juvenile Assessment Center. There she had the privilege of working with children and their families throughout Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert, and Lincoln counties by coordinating services and helping them navigate the juvenile justice system.
Mary Lou McNatt | Enrollment Coordinator
Ms. McNatt serves as the school-based enrollment coordinator for Stride K12-powered schools in Colorado. She's worked for Stride K12 for the past 13 years. As a graduate from Regis University with a master's degree in nonprofit management, she enjoys working to support online schooling.
Melissa Carpenter | Testing Coordinator
Ms. Carpenter is the testing coordinator for Stride K12-powered schools in Colorado. She joined Stride K12 in 2014. She was most recently the electives high school teacher for Colorado Preparatory Academy. She earned a BS in physical education from Clearwater Christian College and an MS in sports management from Missouri Baptist University. She's currently working on completing her Principal License from Colorado State University. She has 14 years of teaching experience as a PE/health teacher in private and public school settings for grades K–12.
Teree "Susan" Wall | Office Administrator
Ms. Wall has supported Stride K12-powered schools in Colorado as the office administrator and special services registrar since 2008. She has more than 40 years of experience in office administration and education. Ms. Wall holds certificates in business management, early childhood education, and CNA.
