Our Faculty & Staff

B.A. - Music
M.M. - Jazz and Commercial Music Performance

"Music is an art form that teaches that mistakes are a welcome part of life. I regularly see students adopting a tenacious ability to integrate all of their life experiences, both planned and unplanned, into a mature outlook that gives birth to real adulthood."

Mr. Adams joined Kent Denver from the University of Colorado and Metro State University, where he taught jazz, classical, pop, Latin music, composition, improvisation, ear-training, songwriting and piano. He is currently the musical director and pianist for Lannie Garrett and performs regularly with nationally known artists.

B.S. - Secondary Mathematics Education
M.S.Ed. - Mathematics Education

"Math is more than just getting the right answer; it is communicating your ideas, using your previous experiences and tools to get to a solution, and then working through what that solution means.I want my students to leave knowing that math can be messy, but they have the tools to help solve problems in their world."

Prior to joining the Kent Denver faculty, Ms. Anderson was a math teacher and Math Team Lead at Denver Discovery School and taught high school math at Oshkosh West High School in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

M.F.A. - Creative Writing
M.A. - Anthropology and Education
B.A. - Theories of Identity

As a college counselor with deep experience in working in college admissions, Ms. Aydelott brings a student-centered approach to her work. “The greatest pleasures of my professional life have been watching my students gain confidence and direction, readying themselves to pursue new adventures in college and beyond,” she shared.

Ms. Aydelott came to Kent Denver in 2022 from The Kinkaid School in Houston, where she was Upper School Dean providing academic counseling and college guidance to students in grades 9–12. She previously served as a college admission officer at Williams College, Oberlin College and Swarthmore College.

Throughout her career, Ms. Aydelott has been dedicated to diversity and inclusion, working collaboratively with various offices on college campuses and attending the NAIS People of Color Conference.

B.A. - History
M.A. - Social Studies Education

"My role makes a difference in students lives because it supports them so they can grow personally and academically."

Mr. Ballantyne says he chooses to work at Kent Denver because of the professional opportunity and chance to live near the Rocky Mountains. Prior to joining Kent Denver he taught first at Greenwich Country Day School in Greenwich, CT then at Shady Side Academy in Pittsburgh, PA.

B.A. - History
M.Ed. - Educational Leadership

“Working with youth bring so much joy to my life. When students understand a concept and grow on a social and emotional level it tells me that I am making a difference.”

Mr. Barnes joined Kent Denver as a Dean of Students in 2019 and is excited to be part of a team of educators who research, dissect and provide opportunities for professional growth. He previously served as a social studies teacher, coordinator of diversity and global awareness and multi-sport coach at an independent school in Tampa, FL.

B.A. - English
M.A. - Holocaust and Genocide Studies
Graduate Certificate — Native American Studies

"Kent Denver has a rich tradition of both academic excellence and real-world preparation for its students. I look forward to immersing myself in the Sun Devil community and to fostering impactful and lasting relationships with students and faculty members alike."

Mr. Barocas joined Kent Denver after 12 years at Overland High School, where he was named Teacher of the Year in 2017. At Overland, he served as an English teacher, yearbook advisor, boys' lacrosse coach and Student Council sponsor among other duties.

B.A. - History and Religion
M.A. - Instruction

“I know the power of true lifelong learning, and I enjoy the challenge of helping students along their own paths of discovery and wonder.”

Tim Barrier is an inspiring educator with more than 30 years of experience in teaching and administration. Well-known in the Denver independent school community for his successful tenure as Middle School Director and Head of School at Stanley British Primary, he returned to the classroom this year to teach math in Kent Denver's Middle and Upper Schools.

Mr. Barrier is also a luthier (guitar-maker), combining a passion for craftsmanship with his love of music. The work of a luthier requires mindfulness and full attention, qualities Mr. Barrier also brings to Kent Denver's math classrooms!

B.A. - History
M.A. - International Studies and Comparative Politics
Borgen Family Distinguished Teaching Chair

"I can help students re-think how they think."

Prior to joining Kent Denver, Mr. Barrow '03 taught AP European History in Houston for four years before returning to Denver to study democratization and electoral systems. Highly motivated students, highly engaged faculty and extraordinarily supportive administration are three of the reasons he likes teaching at Kent Denver.

"Overall, I enjoy teaching because I get to participate in students' analytical development," he says, "I want to be remembered as a teacher who created engaging, entertaining and effective classrooms."

B.A. - Spanish

"I believe that learning another language is one of the richest learning activities we can undertake. I love helping kids 'crack the code' of how to understand and communicate using Spanish."

Ms. Baumgarten enjoys working at Kent Denver not only because of her students, but also the faculty community, which she appreciates for its deep care and concern for all of our students.