Faculty & Staff Directory

What is your role at CSS? I am a theatre teacher and a Middle School Spanish teacher.

What are you looking forward to at CSS? I am looking forward to utilizing my strengths in Spanish and Theatre to connect with the community at CSS. I am happy for the opportunity to share my first language with eager students. I am also looking forward to building onto the legacy of the CSS theatre program.

What would people be surprised to learn about you? The first language I spoke was Spanish. I was born in Puerto Rico. And I have successfully eaten the 72-ounce steak challenge in Amarillo, Texas.

What is one thing you’ve learned from students? PATIENCE! Students always respond to patience and a deeper need for understanding.

If you were a superhero, what powers would you have? I would like to be an Earth Bender. I have always wanted to mold the elements.

What did you want to be growing up? I have always wanted to be a teacher! Also, an actor.

What draws you to teaching? The idea that I can pass on my knowledge to the next generation is intriguing. I feel that I am good at relating complex ideas using simple concepts.

What is your favorite spot in the world? Flamenco Beach in Puerto Rico.

What would people be surprised to learn about you? I grew up on a small island 8 miles called Mackinac Island in Lake Huron, northern Michigan. There is a population of about 400 year-round residents. No motorized vehicles are allowed, except emergency ones. The island has about 100 kids total in one building for public school for kindergarten through 12th grade. I graduated with 4 students in my grade.

What did you want to be growing up? I have always wanted to be a teacher. I loved helping friends with their math for as long as I can remember. My mom has also saved quizzes that I created and gave my younger brother when I was about 10. They were normally quizzes about our mom. I even had some extra credit questions on them.

What is one thing you enjoy about CSS? There are so many. CSS has given me relationships with students and other faculty members that I never dreamed possible. I have definitely found another home here. I have had the opportunity to teach some students two years of math, teach siblings, coach athletes for four years in a row in two sports, camp and cook with students and faculty members, design numerous different seminars with faculty across curriculums, and work with students from 3rd grade to 12th grade.

What is your role at CSS? I am the chef who prepares lunch and other goodies for the children and faculty and staff.⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣
What do you enjoy about your role?⁣⁣ I am the lucky one who gets to provide food and other refreshments to some incredible students and faculty and staff. My career philosophy is, “Always go beyond what your clients wants/needs,” and my customers are the kids. I want their time during lunch to be a place to laugh, relax, eat good food, and just be kids.⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣What draws you to working with children?⁣⁣ Well, kids of all ages LOVE to eat. My profession allows me to see the excitement when there are “curly fries” on the menu. I so appreciate their smiles, intriguing questions, practicing manners daily, and so much more. Everyday you have a different cast of characters that makes⁣ your day perfect.⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣-If you were a superhero, what powers would you have?⁣⁣ I don’t need to be a superhero, but I would like to FLY.⁣

Heidi Cooper is happy to be a Kodiak. She earned a Master of Social Work degree from Widener University in Chester, Penn. Prior to joining The Colorado Springs School, Heidi worked as a family coach for children and families with Maple Star Colorado. Most recently, she served as a School Social Worker for Colorado Springs School District 11.

Prior to pursuing her love of counseling and supporting students with social needs, Heidi worked as a volunteer coordinator for nonprofit organizations such as the Pikes Peak Therapeutic Riding Center in Colorado Springs, where she learned about being around horses and how they can calm us. Some of her favorite social emotional learning tools include Marshall Rosenberg's Nonviolent Communication, also called NVC, and releasing anxiety using Tapping. She loved learning about Israel and Palestine when she travelled to the Middle East as part of the Earth Stewards Network and also attended the centenary gathering of the Hague Appeal for Peace in 1999.

Fun fact about Heidi: she recorded her own musical CD called La Mariposa. Feel free to reach out to Heidi anytime by phone or email. She would love to hear about who you are and help you navigate any bumps in the road.

What is your role at CSS?⁣ I am a first grade teacher.⁣

What would people be surprised to learn about you?⁣ I built my first home with my husband. It was called an Earthship and was made of tires and completely off the grid.⁣
⁣
⁣What is a favorite memory at CSS?⁣ Every memory involves the community - first as a parent, now as both a parent and teacher. We have such incredible people here!⁣

⁣What is one thing you’ve learned from students?⁣ You can ALWAYS learn something new!⁣

⁣If you were a superhero, what powers would you have?⁣ I would invent a new one: octopus arms that I could deploy when I need to be doing several things at once!⁣
⁣
⁣What did you want to be growing up?⁣ A teacher - a nurse was a close second.⁣

What draws you to teaching?⁣ The wonder and joy of children - helping to build on that is an incredible gift!⁣

⁣What is your favorite spot in the world?⁣ Any place with my family!⁣

What is your role at CSS? I currently teach PreKindergarten. That’s what I taught when I started at CSS in 2003. After a few years, I also taught 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades in the Children’s School. I’m thrilled to be working with our youngest learners again!

What would people be surprised to learn about you? I love growing vegetables, but I really love houseplants. Between home and school, I have about 80!

What is a favorite memory at CSS? I have so many cherished memories. One of my proudest moments was at graduation in 2016 when I had the honor of presenting the Longevity Award to my former PreK students as they concluded their CSS careers.

What is one thing you’ve learned from students? I’ve learned so much about resilience from my students. When reflecting on my days at school, I try to see the world through their eyes. We set a high bar for our kids and that inspires me to do the same for myself.

If you were a superhero, what powers would you have? I would love the power to play any instrument and sing any song. I grew up in a very musical family, but I haven’t made it a priority as an adult.

What did you want to be growing up? If I didn’t become a teacher, I probably would have become a veterinarian or a zoologist. With three dogs, a cat, and a couple of lizards at home, sometimes I feel like one!

What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I have a black belt in TaeKwonDo with more than 15 years of experience training in and instructing martial arts in styles ranging from Muay Thai to Wing Tsun.

If you were a superhero, what powers would you have and why?
To learn anything I wanted to learn, instantly.

What is one thing you've learned from students?
The wonders of K-pop

What did you want to be growing up?
A Secret Service Agent

What draws you to working with students?
I am drawn to the unique nature of each student. I love learning about their interests, learning styles, and backgrounds. I love the challenge of figuring out how to help students progress with their classmates collaboratively, while also honoring their individuality.

What is one thing you enjoy about CSS?
Everyone is unfailingly friendly and helpful.

What is your favorite spot in the world?
My favorite spot in the world is Lopez Island, WA. The ferry ride to the island is a gorgeous display of forested islands jutting out of the Sound. Once on Lopez, I love riding my bike through the silence of rolling pastures. I love the friendly locals who wave as I ride by. I love the salty-sweet ocean air. The hills are gradual and make me work for it but never enough to make my lungs hurt. Lopez is a great place to be alone in nature without feeling isolated. It is a community of people living sustainably within their natural surroundings.


Faith is a professionally endorsed teacher in Language Arts, History, Social Studies, and English Language Learners (ELL). She is currently certified to teach in Washington, Colorado, and California. In 2011, she earned her National Boards Certification in Early Adolescent Social Studies. For seven years, she taught language arts, social studies, and debate to advanced learners and honors students at Odle Middle School in Bellevue, Washington. While teaching she also served as her school department chair, as well as the 8th-grade Social Studies Lead Curriculum Developer for the Bellevue School District. Moving around the world has enabled her to continue working with students in Virginia and California and study Italian in Naples, Italy. She also enjoys coaching soccer, ultimate frisbee, softball, and debate.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I am a committed vegetarian cook. I can make a mean meatless taco.

If you were a superhero, what powers would you have and why?
I would want to be able to transform into any animal in a moment’s notice. My default avatars would be a Capuchin monkey, a Narwhal, and one of those baby goats that plays dead to confuse predators.

What is one thing you've learned from students?
I have learned from my students, through their example, that learning can be a great deal of fun. There’s nothing better than having a classroom full of students who are genuinely excited to hear the lesson and contribute to the conversation.

What did you want to be growing up?
I wanted to be like Jacques Cousteau - not just a marine biologist but a pioneer for environmentalism and exploration! ... Plus he had a cool hat.

What draws you to working with students?
Teaching a foreign language to students is the most rewarding thing in the world to me. Language is the vehicle that we use to communicate our humanity, and every time a person learns a new language, they open the world up ten fold for themselves.

What is one thing you enjoy about CSS and why?
The academic environment that has been fostered through years of innovative educators refining the scholastic process at CSS has made for an exceptionally motivated student body. The relationship between teachers who are passionate about their field and students who find fun in learning is something that cannot be understated.

What is your favorite spot in the world and why?
It’s a tie - I love Paris, France, and Akumal, Mexico. Two opposite ends of the spectrum that represent uniquely vibrant and timeless cultures.

If you were a superhero, what powers would you have and why?
I would be able to function normally with one to two hours of sleep. There is always too much I want to do every day!

What is your favorite memory at CSS?
The Lower School's Halloween parade this year was so much fun. Special shout-out to whoever dressed up as a lobster. You rocked it!

What did you want to be growing up?
A primatologist (aka Jane Goodall)

What is your favorite spot in the world?
The bottom of the Grand Canyon! I've had the chance to raft through it in 2021 and 2022, and I can confirm it is pretty amazing down there!

Emily received her BA in Earth and Oceanographic Sciences from Bowdoin College where she also studied mathematics and environmental studies. During her time at Bowdoin, she played varsity lacrosse, led the Christian Student's Association, and worked for the college library, math department, and athletic department. Working four summers at Noah's Ark Whitewater in Buena Vista, CO, she is also an experienced rafting, rock climbing, and backpacking guide. Emily's passions outside of school include growing her own food, spending time in the outdoors, reading as much non-fiction as possible, and swimming in cold water.