Principal
Emily_Volkert@dpsk12.net
Emily Volkert has been rowing with Centennial’s CREW and community since 2016. Over the years, Emily served as an instructional coach and reading support teacher at Centennial. Emily’s education journey has also included teaching children and adults to ride horses as a wrangler at a dude ranch, English to K – 8th graders in Patagonia, Chile, 5th graders in Nashville, Tennessee, and 3rd grade bilingual students at Newlon Elementary in Denver Public Schools. Emily has also been a literacy specialist for DPS. She has a B.A. in International Affairs, Environmental Studies and Economics and a M.A. in Teaching, Learning and Leading and an M.A. in Instructional Leadership. She is passionate about fostering independence and a sense of wonder to enable kids and communities to succeed. Outside of Centennial, Emily enjoys cooking and hiking with her husband, learning to play the guitar and gardening.
Dean of Culture
Nicole_Tembrock@dpsk12.net
Nicole continues to enjoy being a part of the Centennial community! She has worked in the field of education in various capacities. She has working in the areas of school culture, community building, social/emotional learning and youth development. She served as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic. Ms. Tembrock earned a bachelor’s degree in speech communications and psychology from the University of Denver and a master’s degree in nonprofit management from Regis University. Outside of work, Nicole enjoys spending time with her family and friends, especially in the outdoors!
Stacy was raised in NW Denver and was a student at Centennial when it opened in 1976. She went on to Skinner, North, and received a degree in Architectural Drafting. Stacy has been married to her husband for 37 years, after meeting him when they were both students at Skinner Middle School. When Stacy isn’t assisting our families at Centennial, she is very active swimming, biking, running, and hiking and spending time with her adult children.
Restorative Practice Coordinator
Sophia_Yano@dpsk12.net
Hi, my name is Elise and I am the school nurse. I am excited to be a part of the C.R.E.W. at Centennial! My favorite thing to do in Colorado is go camping. My family also spends a lot of time creating new things, whether it be games, recipes, or toys. This summer I plan to renovate our backyard. If your child has a chronic medical condition or a health concern and we have not spoken yet, please email or call me so that we can set up a time to discuss their needs. My goal is to team with you to ensure everyone’s health and safety while they are at school. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have questions!
School Nurse
Elise_Seebach@dpsk12.net
social Worker
Ashley_Cox@dpsk12.net
School Psychologist
Lauren_Forsythe@dspk12.net
Lauren originally hails from Iowa and bounced across the country (Philadelphia, New York, San Francisco, and DC) before settling in Denver 12 years ago. She earned her Masters in School Psychology at San Francisco State University and George Mason University. She is going into her 15th year as a school psychologist and her 12th year in Denver Public Schools. She is proud and grateful to say that she is going into her 11th year of working as the school psychologist at Centennial! Lauren enjoys working with diverse learners and helping families support their children’s social-emotional development. Outside of work, Lauren loves to travel to visit friends and family, as well as spend time exploring Denver and the surrounding area with her husband, and two sons. She enjoys reading, cross stitching, watching movies, reading/crafting/playing board games with her kids, exercising, and spending time with friends.
4th & 5th Grade Math Intervention
Erin_Abner@dpsk12.net
Erin grew up in Charleston, SC, spending much of her time at the beach. Her passion for education developed through volunteer work and her role as a karate instructor. She earned a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from the College of Charleston and began teaching in Charleston County. Driven by a love for hands-on learning, Erin returned to earn a Master’s in Science and Math before transitioning into an instructional coach role. In 2016, Erin and her family moved to Denver, where she now teaches 4th / 5th grade math, provides intervention, and coaches. She advocates for interactive learning, using everything from STEM to art to engage students. Outside of school, Erin enjoys exploring National Parks, supporting her daughter’s volleyball team, reading, and spending time with her two dogs
Food Services
Mary_Alcanta@dpsk12.net
ECE 3 Teacher
Brooke_Asciak@dpsk12.net
| Brooke Asciak was born and raised in Southern California and has called Colorado home for the past two years. She has taught in the ECE-3 Model 1 classroom at Centennial since 2024. Brooke earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Special Education from Boise State University in 2021 and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Inclusive Early Childhood Education at UCCS. Her favorite part about teaching ECE is watching her students grow in confidence and independence each day. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys traveling, attending live music events, and spending time with her dog, Marley. |
Food Services
Marina_Ayala-Grimaldo@dpsk12.net
Early Childhood Teacher
Belle_Boykin@dpsk12.net
Special Education
Erica_Butler@dpsk12.net
Erica is new to Centennial and Colorado! She grew up in New Jersey and attended James Madison University in Virginia with a degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Erica then went to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro for her Master’s in Speech Language Pathology. After beginning her career as an SLP in NC, she recently moved to Colorado and is so happy to be at Centennial! She’s been enjoying exploring the beautiful state and very excited to continue to build relationships with students and families.
2nd & 3rd Grade Teacher
Veronica_Carrejo@dpsk12.net
| Veronica is from El Paso, Texas and moved to Denver in 1997. She earned her BA in Spanish with a licensure in elementary education from Metropolitan State College of Denver in 2003. She started her teaching journey in 2003 at Harrington Elementary and has been at Centennial since 2015. Veronica has experience teaching first – fifth grade. Her goal is to build relationships with her students and to get to know their stories so that they may learn to build relationships with others and get to know their stories. During her free time Veronica enjoys going on long walks, working in the garden, and hanging out with her loved ones. |
Gifted and Talented
Rachel_Chappell@dpsk12.net
Kindergarten & 1st grade Teacher
Chris_Christoff@dpsk12.net
Chris (pictured center) is very excited to be part of the Crew! This is my 7th year teaching at Centennial and 9th year overall. My first 3 years were teaching 1st grade and the last 5 have been teaching a K/1 multiage. I spend a lot of time outdoors running, hiking, and backpacking. I also enjoy reading epic fantasy series and have been playing around with writing some children’s books.
Program Leader
Preston_Clark@dpsk12.net
2nd & 3rd Grade Teacher
Maggie_Compagnoni@dpsk12.net
2nd para
Kathryn_Cook@dpsk12.net
| Kathryn has been teaching in Denver schools since 2020. She’s been at Centennial since 2025. She’s originally from Georgia but has been in Colorado since 2017. After school, you can usually find her walking her pup, Southern (named after her alma mater- Georgia Southern University!), in the Berkeley neighborhood or teaching yoga off Tennyson St. |
Special Education
Elizabeth_Cornwell@dpsk12.net
Special Education
Marcus_Crawford@dpsk12.net
Marcus started with the Centennial crew in 2025, and he is very excited to be at Centennial. He believes all people deserve to grow into themselves to the fullest capacity, and should have the opportunity to enjoy life. He believes education is foundational to this, and strives to guide students to be the best they can be. Outside of school, Marcus enjoys all things pertaining to electronic music, dance, and art.
4th & 5th Grade Teacher
Amelia_Davis@dpsk12.net
Amelia Davis is a new member of our Centennial Crew and is very excited to be here! She grew up in Colorado and recently graduated from Regis University in 2025, where she also played on the volleyball team. Outside of school, she enjoys reading a good book, baking, or just spending time in the sun. Her favorite part about teaching is being able to build relationships with her students and watching them succeed and grow!
Program Leader
Claudia_Elias@dpsk12.net
Program Leader
Brenda_Fernandez@dpsk12.net
Food Services Manage
Sheila_Geck@dpsk12.net
Special Education
amie_ha@dpsk12.net
Amie Ha has been teaching for over a decade. Her pronouns are she/her. Over the years, Amie has been a K-8 Special Education teacher, classroom teacher, university instructor, district literacy specialist and national children’s book reviewer. She is passionate about serving students from historically marginalized communities, advocating for all students and creating inclusive learning environments where all students feel valued, honored, and seen. She believes students learn best when they are in community with each other, participating, and engaging in critical dialogue. When not at Centennial, Amie enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Science
Andy_Haith@dpsk12.net
Aside from trying any sport/lawn game/board game you can imagine, Andy will also gladly play Tetris with you.
He spent many years working in an academic research lab, hunting for crystals under a microscope and purifying proteins.
Andy has spent the last 4 years working as a classroom teacher, teaching ages K-5th grade.
These days he can typically be found climbing on the monkey bars, mountain biking, playing volleyball, cooking (but generally not baking), fiddling, investigating, questioning, attempting to skateboard, snuggling his cat, or playing with his own 2 children.
Andy believes in fostering relationships with and growing alongside his students.
Kindergarten & 1st grade Teacher
| Camille Harakal is from upstate New York and has lived in Denver, CO since 2017. She went to the University of Florida for her undergraduate degree in elementary education and her master’s degree in special education. Camille has worked at Centennial since 2023 and loves the feeling of belonging that Crew at Centennial provides! When she is not at school with tiny humans, she loves to be in the mountains (running, hiking, and skiing), reading a good book with her cat Sophie, and trying her best to sew! |
Special Education
Allyson_Heavey@dpsk12.net
| Ally is from upstate NY where she earned her bachelor’s degree from SUNY New Paltz and her master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from Ithaca College. Ally has been working for DPS since 2020 and is excited to be back for another school year at Centennial. Outside of school, she enjoys traveling, reading, hiking, skiing, going for walks, and spending time with family and friends. |
Kindergarten & 1st grade Teacher
Lisa_Hinely@dpsk12.net
Lisa earned her undergraduate for education at Regis University and her Masters Degree in Linguistically Diverse Education at the University of Colorado Denver. Lisa has taught at Centennial A School For Expeditionary Learning for almost her whole teaching career! She is excited to make learning engaging and meaningful for her students. She loves how enthused the children get when they learn something new. When Lisa is not teaching, she loves being around her friends, family, and animals!
2nd & 3rd Grade Teacher
Danny_Hopper@dpsk12.net
| Danny started his teaching journey in the fall of 2022 here at Centennial after finishing his student teaching here in 2021. He is from Saint Louis, Missouri, and moved out to Denver to be near the mountains! He is always up for adventures, and Colorado is a perfect place to seek those out. After graduating from the University of Missouri with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, Danny obtained his masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Denver. He loves being active, being involved in sports, and being with his dog, Mocha. Danny hopes to create a welcoming and accepting classroom environment that helps learners achieve and succeed to the best of their abilities. His goal as a teacher is to support students in becoming lifelong learners that can teach themselves to do whatever it is they would like to in this world! |
ECE 4 Teacher
Mira_Killmeyer@dpsk12.net
Mira has lived in Colorado her whole life and has lived in Denver for over 20 years. After studying at Metropolitan State University of Denver and earning her BA in Communications with an emphasis and minor in Early Childhood Education and a Colorado teaching license in Early Childhood Education, she began her teaching career as a first/second grade and kindergarten teacher in Douglas County at an Expeditionary Learning school.
When her first son was born, she began her own family childcare home and preschool in NW Denver, Great Heights Preschool. In her time as teacher, director and owner of Great Heights, she had a second son, earned her Reading Specialist MA from Regis University and developed lifelong relationships with children and families in the neighborhood. After running the program for seven years, she was ready to work again with colleagues and mentors who could push her thinking and help her grow professionally, so she joined Denver Public Schools as an Early Education Partner. In this role at Denver Public schools, she grew in her ability to coach and facilitate adult learners and saw some of the inner workings of a large urban school district but missed connecting directly with children and families. in 2019, she joined the ECE teaching team at Centennial and completed the Buell Early Childhood Leadership Certificate Program.
Her two boys, Dylan and Sam are now teens and she spends her free time with them and her husband, visiting with friends and family, traveling, enjoying time in nature in the mountains and time at home, reading, streaming TV, and planning her next great adventure.
Special Education
Grace_Krause@dpsk12.net
Grace grew up in Kansas City, earning her Bachelor’s degree in Human Biology from the University of Kansas. After graduating, she moved to Denver to pursue a career in teaching as a Math Fellow at Centennial. Grace went on to earn her Master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Colorado Denver and is excited to be teaching at Centennial. Outside of school, Grace loves to spend time outside, running and climbing with friends and family.
2nd & 3rd Grade Teacher
Raychel_LaFontaine@dpsk12.net
Raychel was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. She attended Louisiana State University where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication. After graduating, she spent two years working with the homeless population in New Orleans to connect individuals to housing and health services. In 2013, she made the journey west to Denver and began working at the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. In seeing the effects of a lack of education and opportunities for homeless populations, she decided to become a teacher in 2015. Raychel completed the Teach for America program and also earned her Master’s Degree from the University of Colorado Denver in Universal Design for Learning. She is so excited to continue her role as CREW leader at Centennial. She is passionate about classroom culture and believes that every child should have choice and opportunity in life to be successful and happy. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her husband and friends, cuddling her cats, seeing live music, dancing, roller skating, cooking, traveling, and all things fun!
Sam has been a Centennial Crewmate since 2018 and previously worked as our school’s Educational Counselor/Restorative Practices Coordinator. Sam earned her Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Denver, specializing in Child and Youth Development and K-12 Education. Before joining the Centennial Crew, Sam worked in Jefferson County Schools and as the Children’s Services Specialist at a local transitional housing community for single-parent families exiting homelessness. Sam is passionate about supporting students as they discover their inner strengths and unique identities and empowering each to find success and happiness here at school. When she’s not at work, you can find Sam playing in the mountains, taking any chance she can get to see a concert at Red Rocks, and trying to keep up with her daughter.
4th & 5th Grade Teacher
Andy_Lubansky@dpsk12.net
Andy grew up in Minnesota and moved to Colorado for the first time in 2001 to serve as an Americorps VISTA member. He moved to Northern Ireland in 2004 to work with Habitat for Humanity and then returned to Colorado in 2007. Andy spent most of his pre-teaching career working with nonprofit organizations in the areas of health and human services and early childhood development. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin (Go Badgers!) and joined the staff after completing the Boettcher Teacher Residency in which he apprenticed with a master teacher right here at Centennial. Andy, his wife, and their two children live in the Centennial neighborhood. His son, John, is a 5th grader at Centennial this year. His daughter, Tess, is a 7th grader at Skinner Middle School. In his free time, Andy loves to read, bake, travel, and goof around with his kids. His teaching philosophy revolves around creating a classroom of lifelong learners. “The central task of education is to implant a will and facility for learning; it should produce not learned, but learning people. The truly human society is a learning society, where grandparents, parents, and children are students together.” -Eric Hoffer
Kindergarten & 1st grade Teacher
Caroline_Lusi@dpsk12.net
| Caroline earned her Bachelors of Science in Horticulture from Florida Southern College. She served with the Colorado Reading Corps for three terms, having the opportunity to model the program for Lieutenant Governor Diane Primavera. Through the Colorado Reading Corps and Public Education and Business Coalition, Caroline fulfilled her teaching certification. She has been at Centennial since 2024, and she is absolutely loving it. When not at school, Caroline enjoys art, rollerblading, spending time with friends, and reading a good book. |
PE/Dance
Shari_Marcely@dpsk12.net
| Shari Marcely (PE/Dance) –I’ve been fortunate to live my dream and pursue my passion since the year 2000 as a Physical Education and Dance teacher in the Denver Public School District (came to Centennial in the 2011 school year). The athletic gifts I’ve been blessed with have shaped every part of my journey and led me to the incredible life I’m fortunate to live each day. They earned me a full softball scholarship to college, where I completed my K–12 Physical Education teaching degree. Softball not only laid the foundation for my career, but also led me to the love of my life—my husband of 30 years, Marty—whom I met at an adult tournament in Steamboat Springs. Together, we’ve raised two amazing sons: Shayne (26) and Riley (23) and with our “baby” graduating college just last spring, we are now REAL empty nesters—no one even coming home for summers anymore! When I am not spending time with the family, you can find me at the rink enthusiastically pursuing my passion and trying to keep my balance on the slippery surface of the ice playing on a travel hockey team. |
Discovery Link Supervisor
Leah_Martinez@dpsk12.net
Hello, Centennial Families!!!! Welcome to the Discovery Link Program at Centennial.
My name is Leah Martinez. I am the Program Supervisor for Discovery Link. It is exciting to celebrate my eighth school year in the program. As a Denver native and Denver Public Schools Alumni, it feels great to be part of the Centennial Community. In addition to having the experience of working with youth across the Denver Metro area. I studied Psychology at Metropolitan State University of Denver and have more than twelve years of experience working with youth of all ages.
In my spare time, I like to sketch and paint, travel, and spend time with family and friends, and when able, I will volunteer at the CHAC Art Gallery.
I have an open-door policy and encourage all families and community members to contact me if they have questions about Discovery Link, Enrichments, or any other programs I may offer. We are excited to welcome you to Discovery Link at Centennial and look forward to meeting you and your children!
Special Education
Philicia_McDowell@dpsk12.net
Philicia grew up in Denver and is a proud DPS graduate. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Exercise & Sports Science from Colorado State University and her Masters and Clinical Doctorate in Physical Therapy at the University of Colorado at Denver. Philicia has been a physical therapist for more than 20 years and has worked in DPS since 2013. She is excited to be back at Centennial again this year. When she is not working, she enjoys hiking, paddle boarding, spin classes, jigsaw puzzles and spending time with family and friends.
Katie McGowan is an energetic elementary art teacher who just wrapped up her 19th year of inspiring young artists. Known for her playful teaching style, Katie brings joy and curiosity into the classroom daily. Before moving to Colorado in 2011, Katie taught ECE through 12th-grade art for five years in the state of New York. She holds a BFA from Alfred University and a Master’s in Education from Walden University. In addition to teaching, Katie is the assistant director at a gymnastics camp in Vermont each summer. During the school year, she leads before-school programs through Centennial Clubs. When she’s not in the classroom or the gym, Katie can usually be found outside—running, hiking, mountain biking, climbing, snowboarding, or Nordic skiing. She also loves sewing, drawing, and soaking up as much sunshine as possible.
Facility Manager
Carlos_Medina@dpsk12.net
ECE 4 Teacher
Andrea_Miller@dpsk12.net
Night Shift
Sam_Moore@dpsk12.net
Multilingual Education
Shelby_Olson@dpsk12.net
Shelby is proud to be a part of the Centennial Crew. Over the last 15 years with Denver Public Schools she has supported students in various roles: K-5 literacy intervention teacher, district and school instructional coach, and multilingual education teacher. Shelby believes the many diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds that students bring to the classroom enrich our schools. Her two sons are students at Centennial, too!
Kindergarten & 1st grade Teacher
Monica_Osborn@dpsk12.net
Monica Osborn-O’Dowd is thrilled to be part of the Centennial Community and part of the Crew! Being with children and nourishing their sense of wonder and excitement to learn brings joy to her day. Monica has lived in the Denver area for the past three years. Before coming to colorful Colorado, She lived in California and grew up in New Mexico where she earned a B.S. and M.A. in Elementary Education and an Ed. S. in Educational Leadership. During her teaching career, Monica has taught primarily multi-age classes, in grades kindergarten through fourth. She has also had the pleasure of teaching Early Childhood Education students at California State University Channel Islands. Monica enjoys traveling, art, playing with her dog, and spending time with her husband and his four wonderful children.
Facilities Manager
Alex_Oviat@dpsk12.net
4th & 5th Grade Teacher
Josie_Pack@dpsk12.net
Josie was born in Aurora and grew up in Colorado Springs where she attended UCCS. Josie spent ten years in marketing, working closely with curriculum, which inspired her to take the plunge into teaching. In 2015, Josie earned her Master’s degree in Education and Elementary Curriculum and began a life-changing new chapter. She is so excited to be part of the Centennial Crew, teaching alongside some of the most committed educators and fascinating students Denver has to offer. When she’s not in the classroom, Josie spends time with her awesome husband Dave and their two hilarious kids, Conrad and Rosemary.
Night Shift
Gloria_Padilla@dpsk12.net
ECE 4 Teacher
Michelle_Prestien@dpsk12.net
| Michelle was born and raised in Colorado, growing up in Boulder. She currently lives in southeast Denver with her daughter and doggie. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Colorado State University in Business Administration. After having such a wonderful experience with her daughter during elementary school, Michelle knew that her calling was to work with young children. She started her teaching career as an ECE Paraprofessional for DPS. She then completed her student internship and received her Teaching License in Early Childhood Education in May of 2014. Her expeditionary learning philosophy is believing that children learn by doing and that she is to guide students along this life-long journey with care, compassion and respect for their diverse learning styles. Addressing individual differences increases the potential for learning and creativity in each student. In addition to working with children both during and after school, Michelle loves to hang out with her beautiful daughter and dog and enjoys swimming, reading, meditation and eating chocolate. |
Special Education
Bethany_Pugh@dpsk12.net
Special Education
Claire_Raab@dpsk12.net
| Claire Raab (she/her) was born in Buffalo, NY and loves calling Colorado home! Claire received her Elementary Education and Mathematics with a minor in Special Education from Boston College and her Masters in Special Education with a focus on early literacy from the University of Northern Colorado. She is very passionate about creating an environment where students feel celebrated, seen, and grow to be confident humans in knowing themselves and their abilities. She believes in fighting for systemic change that creates a more just world. Claire has a dog named Annie and she is her adventure buddy! Outside of school, Claire loves to read, ski, dance, anything outdoors, and hang out with friends and family. |
ECE 4 Teacher
Laura_Rankin@dpsk12.net
Laura is excited to be part of the crew at Centennial. She is passionate about providing high quality authentic learning experiences for children and empowering them with the positive skills they need to succeed in school and in life. Laura grew up on a small farm in northeast Iowa and moved to Colorado shortly after graduating high school to become a nanny. She has over ten years of experience as a lead preschool teacher in the Denver metro area. She received her BA in Early Childhood Education from Regis University in 2015. Laura lives in Wheat Ridge with her husband and their dog Roxie. They have have two children in college, both studying to be teachers. In her free time, Laura enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, swimming and sewing.
Program Leader/Early Childhood Teacher
Patricia_Rodriguez@dpsk12.net
4th & 5th Grade Teacher
Nic_Savinar@dpsk12.net
Nicole (Nic) Savinar is a Colorado native. She, her husband, her two sons and her black lab Chauncey call the Highlands home. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Colorado at Boulder. She then attended the University of Phoenix to complete her Master’s degree in Elementary Education and then onto Regis to complete her Linguistically Diverse Education Master’s degree. She is a lifelong learner who jumps at opportunities to grow and evolve as a person and an educator. She has been part of the Centennial CREW since 2015. Nic’s favorite part about teaching is building relationships with her students, their families, and the community. She believes that she can make a difference in the lives of her students by fostering creativity, developing character, and having the mindset that all students can succeed. She is a diehard Broncos and Buffs fan! During her free time, Nic enjoys traveling, skiing, and spending time with friends and family.
4/5 Para
Molly_Silliman@dpsk12.net
2nd & 3rd Grade Teacher
Erica_Silva@dpsk12.net
Erica earned her BA in behavioral science, with a minor and licensure in elementary education, and an emphasis on linguistically diverse education from Metropolitan State University in 2013. She has experience teaching first, second, and third grade, and has been involved in Montessori and traditional education for over 18 years. As a mother of five children and one grandchild, Erica has an understanding of many perspectives. She is ecstatic about teaching second grade at Centennial since children are her greatest joy. During her free time, Erica enjoys hiking in the mountains with her family, and reading great books. She and her husband also get great pleasure from being a part of what their children love to do including dance, theater and sports.
Library
Cindy_Spruce@dpsk12.net
I’ve been a lover of books since birth; Mother Goose, the Nancy Drew Mysteries (I was sure I would make a good spy someday), Shel Silverstein (who know poetry could be so much fun), and of course, the great Judy Blume rocked my preteen world (I may have read each book at least five times. Or maybe seven. Ok 10.). So many series, so many wonderful stories in which I could immerse myself. I devoured anything that had pages that would allow me to temporarily slip into a different or magical world, and I love sharing this love of books with my students. I’m incredibly excited to be starting my 9th year at Centennial!
I’m a New England native who headed west after graduating from the University of New Hampshire. I taught kindergarten for 10 years, but then realized that I needed to have even more books in my life. I actually wanted to be in charge of all of the books. So, I earned my masters in Library Science from the University of Denver. I’m proud to say that I’ve been an educator for 25 years.
When I have free time, I enjoy reading (surprise!), hiking, gardening, knitting, and spending time with my adventurous husband, sometimes sassy but always sweet teenage daughters, and crazy canines.
I can’t wait to learn and grow with all of the Centennial students this year!
Kindergarten & 1st grade Teacher
Robyn_Thompson@dpsk12.net
| Robyn has been teaching at Centennial since 2009, and is grateful to continue calling Centennial her school family. Robyn majored in English and French Literature at Manchester College in Indiana. Once she moved to Denver in 2002, she fell in love with Colorado and went back to school for her teaching degree from University of Northern Colorado. Later Robyn received her M.A. in Linguistically Diverse Education From CU Denver. Robyn loves taking care of her home, her family (both human and pets and plant babies), reading, and exercising. |
Music
Clifton_Williams@dpsk12.net
Clifton Williams is a graduate of the internationally acclaimed Berklee College of Music. He holds a dual degree in Music Education and Contemporary Writing and Production. Clifton’s impressive musical accomplishments include composing the official theme song for Amateur Night at the Apollo Live. This song is featured every Wednesday Night at the iconic Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York. Clifton has served as the touring music director for R&B legend Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds (2020-2023), music director for Four-Time Emmy award winning Black Music and Civil Rights Movement Concert, and music director for A Tori Kelly Christmas: Live from Capitol Records Studios Youtube Special. He has been teaching music at Centennial since 2024.
4th & 5th Grade Teacher
Allyson_Woolley@dpsk12.net
Allyson (Ally) Woolley grew up here in Colorado! She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Utah Valley University in 2020. After graduation, Ally worked as an elementary school teacher in Utah for a few years, before moving back home to Denver, and joining the Centennial Crew. Ally has a labradoodle named Brody. In her free time, Ally loves to dance, hike, read, cook, and hang out with friends and family! Her favorite part of teaching is building relationships with her students, families, and the community. She believes that she can make a difference in the lives of her students by building their confidence, developing their social/emotional skills, and creating a growth mindset for all students’ success.