Our Faculty & Staff

Biography:

B.A. - East Asian Studies
Ph.D. - Religion and Literature

“What I love most about history is how it helps us better understand our present and contribute to our future. My passion is empowering students to be confident expressing themselves while being respectful of others in an ongoing process of learning from and contributing to their local and global communities. I’m inspired by each students' journey toward becoming a knowledgeable, compassionate, ethical, curious, and internationally-minded leader within a dynamically interconnected world.”

Prior to joining Kent Denver's history department in 2019, Dr. Carmichael served as an adjunct professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he designed and taught four wide-ranging classes in the Religious Studies Department. He has also worked as a writing tutor at the University of Chicago and as an SAT, ACT and PSAT tutor for Mindfish Prep.

Biography:

B.S.B.A. - Business Management

“I chose to join Kent Denver because it is a place that invests heavily in the experiences and growth of its students and I look forward to contributing to that investment through my work on the Development team.”

Christina Castro ‘09 brings 9 years of educational experience into her role as Director of Annual Giving. She’s excited to return to her alma mater and the place she started her career as both a Teaching Fellow and an Operations, Events and College Readiness Coordinator with Breakthrough Kent Denver. Before making her return, Ms. Castro worked as an Assistant Principal and Director of Operations at Rocky Mountain Prep and then a Portfolio Operational Support Manager with Denver Public Schools.

Biography:

B.A. - Chemical Engineering
Ph.D. - Analytical Chemistry
Carol D. MacKay Distinguished Teaching Chair

"I never want to stop learning and I love partnering with students to learn along their side."

Before beginning his teaching career at Kent Denver, Dr. Caulfield co-founded a company that used gas-phase chemical reactions to produce thin plastic coatings on difficult-to-coat materials. This work, along with a brief stint in the aerospace industry and Ph.D. research involving ground-water pollutants, led to Dr. Caulfield's deep fascination for material science, space and environmental studies. He shares his enthusiasm with students in his 6th and 12th-grade science classes.

"Students are so optimistic and eager to understand that it makes every day an exciting adventure," he says.

Biography:

B.A. - English & History
Ph.D. - English Literature
Keith Warner Chair for School Leadership

"There is nothing more important or more meaningful to do than teaching. It feeds my soul."

Prior to joining Kent Denver, Dr. Chandler worked at Menlo School in Atherton, California as an English teacher, English department chair, college counselor and senior projects coordinator. In his current role, Dr. Chandler is responsible for all aspects of the Upper School. He says his priorities are "to do what I can to support our outstanding teachers and to make decisions that are for the best for our students."

"I choose to work for Kent Denver because it's an extraordinary, leading school with wonderful students, families and teachers. It is a place to grow as a professional," he says.

Biography:

B.S. - Education

"My teaching is not just about math, but about helping children grow as individuals."

Ms. Chandler decided to become a teacher when she was in sixth grade, and has never wavered from that choice. She sees relationships as central to building a successful school environment. "I always try to connect with students," she says. "I'm there to celebrate successes and provide support during more challenging moments."

Before joining the Middle School faculty at Kent Denver, Ms. Chandler taught at Graland Country Day School for 10 years and at schools in California.

Biography:

B.A. - French
M.A. - Visual Arts

"As a teacher, I get the opportunity to make a significant difference in the world each and every day just by touching the lives of my students."

Prior to arriving at Kent Denver in 2016, Ms. Chen taught Chinese language at Denver South and Abraham Lincoln High Schools. She was named the 2015-16 Teacher of the Year by the Colorado Congress of Foreign Language Teachers and has received numerous awards for her teaching.

"Teaching my native language, Chinese, enables me to draw upon my own culture and personal experience as a foreign language learner as I teach my students to effectively communicate with me in Chinese on a daily basis," Ms. Chen says. "In addition, it allows me to help my students gain an appreciation for another language and culture, to broaden their worldview and to build essential skills for global competence."

Biography:

A.A. - Communications

“I want to give students the opportunities I was given when younger and help influence the younger generations.”

Naylea Contreras-Rodriguez returned to the Breakthrough Kent Denver program in 2022 after starting her career there as an Operations Coordinator in 2020. Since then, she’s worked as a teaching assistant with both Scholars Unlimited and the Tiny Hearts Academy. With an Associate’s in Communications, Ms. Contreras-Rodriguez will use her skills and experience to play a key role in communicating the amazing work Breakthrough does throughout the year.

Biography:

B.A. - History & Education
M.A. - World History

"Time in the classroom with students is and always has been the most enjoyable part of teaching. It provides me with moments of mindfulness, fun and learning."

As a history teacher and coordinator of the annual Kent Denver Ethics Day, Mr. Covi enjoys working within a community that values character development as equal to its academic mission. Prior to joining Kent Denver's faculty, he taught at the Lakeside School in Seattle, WA, Groton School in Groton, MA, Washington State University and Denver's West High School.

Biography:

Ms. Crittenden joined Kent Denver in 2020 after nine years at Overland High School, where she served as an Administrative Assistant for the Assistant Principal, AP Testing Coordinator Assistant, Office Manager for the STEM Building and the girls' soccer coach.

Biography:

B.S. - Broadcast Communications
M.A. - Library and Information Science

"I love being a librarian at Kent Denver because my job allows me to work with students, teachers, administrators, staff and parents."

Ms. Daniel provides a wealth of information and resources to students and faculty in her role as a librarian and educational technologist for both the Middle and Upper schools.

Prior to joining Kent Denver's Information and Innovation team, Ms. Daniel worked as a television producer, writer and editor.