Meet our team
Our Teachers
Pikes Peak Online School (PPOS) teachers are passionate about the subjects they teach and dedicated to helping students fulfill their potential and discover the possibilities.
Christian Corrick | Science Teacher
Mrs. Corrick teaches physical science at PPOS. She has taught for more than eight years, has a passion for science, and loves cheesy science jokes. She also enjoys sports, hiking, and Broadway musicals. Mrs. Corrick lives in Broomfield with her husband and children.
Stacey Fennell | Social Studies Teacher
Ms. Podsedek is the manager of school operations for K12-powered schools in Colorado. She has been with 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.
Kylie Findley | Math Interventionist
Mrs. Findley is the math interventionist and works closely with students who can use a little extra support in math. She joined K12 in 2017 and this is her sixth year teaching high school math. Mrs. Findley earned her BS in mathematics from Southern Utah University. She has loved her teaching career and looks forward to working with your students.
Patricia Geffre | Electives Teacher
Ms. Geffre is a high school electives teacher. She earned her BS from Northern State College in Aberdeen, South Dakota, with endorsements in early childhood, elementary, and high school business education. In 2003, she earned a Master of Arts degree in educational leadership from the University of Denver. She began teaching with PPOS in January 2019.
Amanda Glover | English Teacher
Mrs. Glover is the 11th grade American literature teacher at PPOS. She joined K12 in 2015. Mrs. Glover has been teaching both middle school and high school English since 2011 and brings many years of experience both in the traditional brick-and-mortar classroom as well as in the virtual setting. Mrs. Glover earned a BA in English and secondary education from Western State Colorado University in 2011 and her MA in K–12 online education from Western State Colorado University in 2015.
Laura Gregory | Social Studies Teacher
Ms. Gregory has taught social studies since PPOS first "opened its doors." She has 14 years of experience teaching social studies, language arts, and English as a second language. She holds a BS in education from University of Houston and is certified to teach social studies, English language arts, and ELL.
Nikkia Hunt | English Teacher
Mrs. Hunt started her teaching career in central Nebraska at a very rural school in a town of 300. She taught English, journalism, business, robotics, technology, and programming there for three years as well as sponsored the FBLA, Quiz Bowl, Newsletter, and Robotics Club. She moved to Colorado in 2017 and has been loving all the amazing adventures here. Since starting at PPOS, she has really loving connecting with our amazing students.
Desiree McLean | Science Teacher
Mrs. McLean is a high school science teacher who joined K12 in 2018. She previously taught 7th grade science for five years. She earned her BS at Mesa State University in Grand Junction. She is now working toward a master's degree in science.
Angela Mundt | Math Teacher
Ms. Mundt is a math and science teacher with more than 14 years of experience. She is passionate about helping young people grow and realize their potential. She holds a BA from Northwestern University and a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Colorado at Denver. During the summer, she works along the Front Range as a wildlife technician for the U.S. Forest Service.
Gloria Murtha | Teacher
Mrs. Murtha is a high school lead electives teacher who joined K12 in 2013. She earned a BS in education with an academic specialization in visual arts from East Texas State University (now Texas A&M) and a master's in technology in education from Lesley University. She brings more than 20 years of experience in education and business. Prior to teaching, some of her business experiences included working as a graphic artist, illustrator, and art director. She is certified in K–6 elementary education, K–12 visual arts, and K–12 instructional technology.
Rachel Robinson | English Teacher
Ms. Robinson is a language arts teacher. Prior to coming to PPOS, she taught two years of middle school languages arts at Aurora Public and Denver Charter schools. Ms. Robinson earned her BA in English and secondary education from Metropolitan State University of Denver. When not working, she loves doing things as a family with her two young daughters.
Emily White | ELL Teacher
Mrs. White is a high school English language teacher who has worked with students learning English for over seven years. She earned a BA in history with an emphasis in secondary education and teaching English as a second language.
Jeremy Ryan | P.E Teacher
Hailing from Longmont, Mr. Ryan attended the University of Colorado in Boulder where he received his BS in editorial-news journalism before he and his wife moved to Southern California. While there, he worked in clinical, home, and classroom settings with K–12 students with severe autism before transitioning into ministry as a youth and family pastor. During this time, he received his master's in theology from Fuller Theological Seminary, and he and his wife had their first son.
Brittany Ziegler | Math Teacher
Dasia Ryan | Art Teacher
Melissa Garcia | Science Teacher
Special Education and Support Staff
Luke Ball | Special Education
Mr. Ball is a special education lead teacher who joined PPOS in 2016. He has more than 10 years of experience in education with an emphasis in math development for students with special needs. He earned a BA in education from Buena Vista University in Iowa. He holds certificates in special education and physical education.
Josie Brinkhoff | Advisor
Ms. Brinkhoff started in 2016 as the Truancy Officer for K12-powered schools in Colorado. She has since transitioned to advisor at PPOS. She holds certificates in early childhood education and was previously a preschool teacher and infant-room supervisor.
Jackie Carrier | HS Counselor
Ms. Carrier is from Massachusetts and loves Boston, New England football, saying "wicked," and eating lobster rolls. She moved to Colorado for the sunshine and mountains. Ms. Carrier spend summers camping, dirt biking, and experiencing live music anywhere she can, but her true passion is snowboarding in the winter. Her newest goal is to learn watercolor paints. She has a "good boy," Cozza Frenzy.
Christan Derryberry | HS Counselor
Ms. Derryberry grew up in Wyoming and graduated high school there as well. She followed her brother to Colorado where she earned her bachelor's in psychology and completed a master's in school counseling from South Western Oklahoma State University. Ms. Derryberry lived in Oklahoma City for eight years before returning to Colorado. She believes students deserve the best, so she has made it her goal to help them shape their lives.
Stacey Durden | Transition Coordinator
Mrs. Durden is a special education teacher who joined PPOS in May 2018. She brings more than 15 years of experience in education, leadership, and development to the team. She has BS and Master of Education degrees. Mrs. Durden holds a Generalist License.
Matt Estrada | Counselor
Mr. Estrada is a high school counselor who joined PPOS in December 2018. He earned a BA in communications and Spanish from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. Mr. Estrada completed his Master of Arts in school and clinical counseling at Adams State University in 2008. He also holds two professional licenses in the State of Colorado as a school counselor and clinical counselor.
Christine Floyd | 504 Coordinator
Ms. Floyd is the 504 coordinator. She's been working in education for nine years and with K12 since February 2016. She has a master's in social work and is currently working on a master's in educational leadership.
Julianna Francisco | Family Resource Coordinator
Mrs. Francisco is the Family Resource Coordinator. She joined the team in 2017. Mrs. Francisco earned her BS in social work from Metropolitan State University of Denver. She has numerous years of experience working with children, youth, and families in various social work settings with a wide community resource network.
Shelby Hrcek | Compliancy
Mrs. Hrcek is a high school special education teacher who joined the K12 in 2014. She started at Insight School of Washington and recently joined PPOS. With 25 years in education, she has a wide variety of experience in non-traditional settings in both public and private institutions. She earned her BS from Texas State University and holds certifications in K–12 special education and family and consumer science.
Jennifer Lauderdale | Truancy Officer
Mrs. Lauderdale is the truancy officer at Colorado Preparatory Academy (CPA) and PPOS. She received her bachelor's degree 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 where she had the privilege of working with children and their families throughout Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert, and Lincoln counties here in Colorado. As a Learning Coach for the past five years, Jennifer has come to love online education and all its benefits and wishes to share her experience and knowledge with the CPA and PPOS communities.
Sara McCaman | Advisor
Ms. McCaman is an advisor and the blended learning coordinator. She has been with PPOS since 2016. In addition to her time at PPOS, she's taught secondary social studies for 18 years. She holds a bachelor's degree in social studies/education and a master's degree in education. Her focus is on the importance of building relationships among staff, students, and parents so her students can succeed.
Rachel Meyer Ph.D. | School Psychologist
Dr. Meyer is a school psychologist with Colorado Preparatory Academy and PPOS. She joined K12 in fall 2017. She received her PhD in educational psychology and special education from Temple University, an MA in community counseling from John Carroll University, and a BA in psychology from the University of Denver. Prior to joining K12, she was a school psychologist and founding member of DSST-Cole High School in Denver. She also has years of experience working and teaching in higher education and running disability offices.
Mike Schmidt | Drop Out Prevention/Concurrent Enrollment Counselor
Mr. Schmidt has been a high school/middle school counselor for more than 17 years. He joined PPOS in spring 2019, after15 years as a counselor in Jefferson County Public Schools. He earned a bachelor's degree in anthropology from University of Colorado Boulder in 2001 and a master's degree in educational guidance counseling from University of Phoenix in 2003. He holds a Special Services Provider License: School Counselor from the State of Colorado and has close to two decades of experience working with students in a variety of settings. As the dropout prevention counselor and concurrent enrollment coordinator, he takes pride in helping students realize their potential and works to ensure every student is supported and feels connected to PPOS.
Sarah Sisneros | ELL Coordinator
Ms. Sisneros is the ELL Coordinator and joined K12 in 2016. She has a spent her 12 years in education in a collection of diverse schools. She earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education with an emphasis in English as a second language from the University of Northern Colorado in 2007. In 2010, she earned a master's degree in educational leadership with a Principal's License from Regis University.
Travis Townsend | Advisor
Mr. Townsend is a high school advisor. He joined K12 in 2018. He earned his BA in history from Colorado State University in 2013. He has tutored, coached, and completed additional courses in education.
Jennie Wheless | Family Resource Coordinator
Ms. Wheless is a social worker who recently joined K12 as a family resource coordinator. She holds a bachelor's in social work from Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU) and is currently a Master of Social Work candidate at MSU with a dual focus on mental health and macro policy. She is also an AmeriCorps alumnus and a former National Association of Social Workers Healthcare Education and Leadership Scholar. She loves working for K12 and is excited to be part of such an exciting new technological landscape while also providing support to students and families.
