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| | | Judy Graham  Position: 6th and 7th Health, 8th and 8th AVID, 8th Art
Education: Masters Degree in Art
Bio: I have been at Powell for 27 years. I taught only art for many years and then joined a cluster and taught 8th grade math and algebra.
Contact Information: jgraham@lps.k12.co.us (303)734-6331
Karen Masek  Position: 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional art
Education: BFA University of Hartford - Illustration
Teaching License - Metropolitan State College of Denver
MS Walden University – Integrating Technology in the Classroom
Bio: I grew up back east in Syracuse, New York and I attended college at the University of Hartford in West Hartford, Connecticut. I graduated with a BFA specializing in Illustration. Shortly after college I moved to Colorado and began working as a freelance illustrator. After a short period of time I discovered that I in fact did not care for free lancing. I missed the interaction of lots of people and I missed school. I often think how grateful I am that I didn’t like freelance work because teaching brings me more joy than I had ever hoped.
I have only worked in one school district and with one main goal. I am trying to create art lovers. I know very well that most of my students will not become working artists but they may learn to use art in their everyday lives and not be intimidated by the thought that they don’t know a lot about art. First, I taught at Heritage High School in Littleton, CO and after four years of my students telling me that they wished I had been their middle school teacher, I took their advice and jumped ship to Heritage’s feeder school Powell Middle School. It’s funny the work seems harder and yet I’ve never been happier. Contact Information: Anytime you want to contact me. The easiest way is by email. Our school has turned to giving teachers all their daily information via email. This way information is gotten very quickly and we save a few trees. My email address is kmasek@lps.k12.co.us. If you cannot email me, you can still call my office at 303-347-7987, leave a message with your name, your child’s name, why you called and a number you can be reached at between the hours of 7:30 am and 3:30 pm.
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| | | Computer | |
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Mr. David Muldoon
 Position: Computer Class 6th – 8th Modern technology 6th Grade
Education: Bachelor of Science/Technology Education-Colorado State University, Elementary Education-University of Colorado at Denver, Administrative Leadership and Policy Studies with Principal License-University of Colorado at Denver
Bio: After spending 15 years on the frozen tundra or Nebraska, except in summer when it is 1000F and 100% humidity, my family moved to the Denver metro area where life is good. I attended Iver C. Ranum High School, which is located in Adams County, near Westminster. After high school, I attended an electronics trade school and worked for a security company. I also worked in construction. While working for a construction company, I traveled a twelve state region over a two year period. While working in these fields, I gained valuable skills and experiences, yet I had also had a dream of going to college. At the age of twenty-six, I decided it was time to pursue my dream to start college, where I attended Colorado State University and decided to become a teacher.
My wife and I are both in education; she works in the Cherry Creek School District. We have two children, both of whom attend Littleton Public Schools. Our daughter will graduate from Heritage in 2011 and our son, who will attend Heritage, will graduate in 2014.
I truly enjoy teaching and find it exceptionally rewarding to work with young people because of their high energy level and enthusiasm, which is very contagious.
Contact Information: The best method to reach me is by email dmuldoon@lps.k12.co.us. My phone extension is (303) 347-7983. | | | | | |
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| | | Foreign Language | |
| | | Melissa Smart  Position: 6/7 grade Cultural Languages, 8th grade Spanish 1
Education: Bachelor’s of Art in Spanish from University of Arkansas, Master’s in Education from University of Arkansas Bio: I was born in San Diego, California. I moved to Austin, Texas, when I was six. Then moved to Batesville, Arkansas, in junior high where I graduated high school. I then attended and graduated from the University of Arkansas. GO HOGS! I am a huge Razorback and SEC fan! I also lived in Puebla, Mexico, and would love to someday take my family back. I am married to the best husband in the world and have two fantastic children! My daughter is 4 and my son is 2 and ½. I love reading, hiking, biking, skiing, spending time with my family outdoors. I also love playing sports, especially basketball! I coach the 7th grade track and boys basketball teams.
Contact Information: msmart@lps.k12.co.us(303) 734-6363 | | | | | |
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| | | Gifted and Talented | |
| | | Ms. Maria Fraietta  Position: GT Facilitator, Teacher
Education: B.A. English, The Pennsylvania State University, M.A. Secondary Education, The University of Denver Bio: I have been a teacher for 11 years now, and have taught every grade from 6th to 12th. I was formerly an English teacher and department chair at Littleton High School as well as a teacher at York Middle School in Thornton. I also taught writing classes at Front Range Community College. I’ve coached cheerleading, sponsored NJHS, Student Council, and Drama. Here at Powell, I coach the Brain Bowl and Science Olympiad teams. I also teach Journalism, several GT electives, and Health. I love doing hands-on, experiential activities in class, and I especially enjoy working with technology in the classroom. I grew up in New Jersey, and as a kid spent lots of time in the Italian restaurant that my parents owned in Philadelphia. I chose to go to college in Pennsylvania (go Nittany Lions!). After that, I spent a year studying abroad in London, England. Soon after, I came to Colorado for a visit, but ended up staying here for good. I’ve been here since 1997. I have an awesome 3 year old daughter named Charlotte, and a pretty cool wiener dog named Jake. We enjoy biking around town, camping & hiking in the mountains, traveling to the beach back East each summer, and hanging out in our backyard garden. I am happy to be teaching at Powell! Contact Information: mfraietta@lps.k12.co.us 303-734-6366
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| | | Music | |
| | | Strings: Marilyn Bailey  Position: 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Strings & 8th Grade Guitar
Education: BA in Secondary Music Education form Loretto Heights Collage
MA in School Counseling from the University of Phoenix Bio: I Grew up in Littleton Colorado and attended Carl Sandburg Elementary School as a kindergartner. I am married and have an adult son and two stepdaughters. I was singing songs before I could walk and have played the guitar for over 40 years. I am a professional singer/songwriter and have produced several CD’s of original music. I have served on Worship teams and worked as a music minister for many years, and have had the joy of teaching at Powell Middle School for 14 years. 5 years ago I started a guitar program at Powell. It has been a lot of fun and very successful. I am thankful for our music department, the Powell staff, and the fantastic students and community we serve. Go Pumas! Contact Information:mbailey@lps.k12.co.us Vocal Music: Kathie Summers
Position: 6th Grade Exploratory Vocals, 7th Grade Chorus I & II (2 sections), and the 8th Grade Select Show Choirs; Jazz Choir and Ladies Select. I also co-direct the "Follies," (an all-school talent show), involving 70-80 students each year...." In Follies, everyone is a star!" Education: BA in Music Education K-12, (minor in voice and piano), University of Northern Colorado. MA in Education (Integrating the Arts in the Curriculum), Lesley University. Bio:Kathie is proud to be one of the remaining six teachers who opened POWELL in 1981. She has enjoyed teaching vocal music over the past 28 years and co-directing the annual all-school talent show, “FOLLIES!” She is honored to have former students continue to sing and perform in various venues all over the US and in Europe. Her longevity at Powell is now enhanced by teaching her former students’ children. Kathie’s first love with her music is performing; doing six musicals at the former Country Dinner Playhouse, singing for weddings, the National Anthem Singer for The Colorado Rocky Hockey team as well as DU Hockey and a couple of Bronco games. She is most proud of her two children who share her passion for music, and for her greatest fans; Mom and Dad. Having attended LPS schools growing up, she was fortunate to have also taught at Euclid and Littleton High School, prior to POWELL. Contact Information:Email contact- ksummers@lps.k12.co.us or 303-734-6360 (will go to voicemail) at 2pm daily. Band: Mark Talley  Position: 6th Grade Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Puma Band, and 8th Grade Math
Education:
B.A. in Math and Music Theory/Composition from St. Olaf College
B.A. in Music Education from Metropolitan State College of Denver
M.S. Applied Statistics and Research Methods from University of Northern Colorado Bio: I grew up in a suburb of Chicago. There I was able to start playing trumpet in 3rd grade. Throughout my band career I tried different instruments including French horn and percussion, and later added guitar and piano as well. Band has continued to be a large part of my life, and I am glad to be teaching band as my career now. I believe the “brain training” that one receives in band is incredible and can be applied to other fields with much success. I love seeing how much my band students grow and learn throughout the 3 years that I have with them. I am married and have a fun-filled golden retriever named Wookiee. In my free time I enjoy eating out (I’m always happy to talk about where the best burgers or gnocchi or … can be found), cooking (have to try replicating the best burger or gnocchi or …), running, hiking, snowshoeing, reading Sherlock Holmes stories, doing statistical analysis (yes, seriously) and composing. Phone: (303)347-3965
Email: mtalley@lps.k12.co.us (The best method to reach me is by email.)
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| | | Physical Education | |
| | | Mr. Gary Bishop  Position: Physical Education
Education: Bachelor of Arts Bio: Graduate of Littleton High and the University of Northern Colorado. Married to Barbara with one stepson and one granddaughter. 35 years of teaching/coaching in Littleton Public Schools. Coaching highlights include travelling to Australia, New Zealand, the Fiji Islands and China. Contact Information: Work phone: 303 347-7975 Email: gbishop@lps.k12.co.us Home phone: 303 703-1090 Email: ggbish@hotmail.com Mrs. Robin Hancock Position: Sixth, Seventh and Eighth grade Physical Education Education: B.A. of Arts – Secondary Physical Education (Metropolitan State College); M.A. – Middle School Education (University of Northern Colorado) Bio: I was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. I taught for eleven years in Jefferson County before coming to Littleton. I have been in LPS for twelve years, all of them at Powell. My husband and I have three children, all currently in college. Contact Information: (303) 979-1041; (303) 910-8137; (303) 919-7059
rehancock@lps.k12.co.us | | | | | |
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| | | Woods and Technology | |
| | | Mr. Donald Meersman  Position: 6th, 7th and 8th grade Woods/Technology
Education: BS from Colorado State University, Ft. Collins Colorado 1985; MA from Grand Canyon University, 2004 Bio: I have taught at Powell since 1985. My hobbies are biking, traveling, woodworking, remodeling and hanging out with my wife and three children. Contact Information: Voice mail: 303 734-6345 e-mail dmeersman@lps.k12.co.us | | | | | |
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