Faculty & Staff Directory

What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I am a CODA! A CODA is a child of a deaf adult, and I grew up in a household where both of my parents were deaf, but my three siblings were born hearing like me.

What is one thing you've learned from students?
As cliche as it may sound, life is all about trying something new! We are all humans trying to navigate this world and a lot of that comes with exploring the unknown. In my time here so far, I have been blown away at how open-minded our students are across all ages, whether it's their first day at CSS or they are trying out a new club. They are always open to a new challenge!

What did you want to be growing up?
In Kindergarten, my first pick was veterinarian, but my Plan B was to be a pop star, of course.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I sang professionally for the Michigan Opera Theater at the Detroit Opera House as a child through my teen years.

If you were a superhero, what powers would you have?
I’d love to have the ability to teleport, so I could travel all over the world more efficiently!

What is one thing you've learned from students?
Have fun! Learning happens best through exploration and play!

What did you want to be growing up?
I always knew that I wanted to do something in music, whether that be performing or teaching.

What draws you to working with students?
I love the joy that comes from my students and their eagerness to learn.

What is one thing you enjoy about CSS?
I love seeing all the smiling faces on campus because it makes me feel welcomed.

What is your favorite spot in the world?
Paris is probably my favorite spot in the world because the architecture is so beautiful and my birthday happens to fall on Bastille Day!

Emily is a composer, pianist, and educator who recently relocated to Colorado Springs from the San Francisco Bay Area. She spent the last three years teaching K-8 performing arts and music composition at an independent school in Menlo Park, California. Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Emily began her professional music career at an early age singing for the Michigan Opera Theater Children's Chorus. Emily holds a Bachelor of Music in Composition and a minor in Piano Performance from Columbia College Chicago. In her professional career as a composer, she experimented with extended techniques using acoustic instrumentation and a digital approach to sound. Her compositions have been performed by various New Music ensembles in Chicago. While at Columbia, she also began teaching so she could share her joy for music with students of all ages. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that every student is capable of expressing the skill of creativity through collaboration and curiosity.

What is your role at CSS? My roles at CSS are English Department Chair, Upper School English teacher, Capstone Program Director, National Honor Society Faculty Adviser, Senior Class Sponsor, Full STEAM Ahead Program Director, and Upper School Community Service “tracker.”⁣
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⁣What is a favorite memory at CSS?⁣ ⁣Wow! There are more than I can sort through to find just one, so I’ll just write down a few to capture some of my favorites: Protecting Mr. Benson through the streets of Hoi An; laughing hysterically with Natalie R. as she bailed water into our canoe on the Mississippi; Matt B. hunting our AP class with a super soaker as we reenacted “The Most Dangerous Game”; purposely putting stressed seniors to sleep by reading Romantic poetry (Julie S.C.); and many, many CSS Revue skits!⁣
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⁣What draws you to working with students?⁣ I am reassured by some of the standard conventions of human development that I can rely on from year to year, including the look of wonder on a student’s face when they face a brilliant realization or make a brilliant stride forward — those AHA! moments keep me going and produce more and more of my own AHAs!⁣
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⁣What is one thing you enjoy about CSS and why?⁣ I love the campus itself. I have missed driving by the pond every day and spotting ducklings or turtles or great blue herons, along with several grazing deer or the occasional bear in the field or by the creek. I enjoy looking out of my classroom window at the changing leaves on the trees on the quad and seeing the other buildings full of so many great people whom I admire and care about.⁣
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⁣What is your favorite spot in the world?⁣ ⁣That’s easy! A bookstore or a library. I feel inspired and calmed by being surrounded by books.⁣

What is your role at CSS? I am the Instrumental Music teacher and Band Director for grades 4-12. I also teach Upper School Music Theory, direct the Pep Band, and coach the Upper School Garage Band, Holiday Winds, and various other small ensembles.

What is one thing you’ve learned from students? I’ve learned that goosebump moments aren’t restricted to professional recordings, performances, or paintings. Our CSS musicians, actors, and artists create some incredible moments that touch my heart and inspire me to be better at what I do. Our students create moments that will raise the hair on your arms, cause you to believe that they actually are the character they are portraying, or help you to experience colors (or other visuals) in a whole new way.

If you were a superhero, what powers would you have? I am a HUGE fan of the superheroes that have gadgets like Batman or the Green Arrow. Give me a utility belt full of cool devices or some arrows with a sweet bow, then add a neat costume, and I would be good to go! If I had to choose a superpower, I would love to have Spiderman’s ability to stick to things, paired with his super strength!

What is one thing you enjoy about CSS? I love how we think outside of the box and encourage risk-taking while exploring the possibilities of experiential education within every discipline.

What did you want to be growing up? I don’t know that I ever decided that I officially wanted to be a cowboy or the character from a favorite TV show - although I’m sure there are pictures and stories somewhere that suggest otherwise - but I always did want to follow my mom and dad around and learn how to do things that interested them. At one time my dad was a carpenter, and I would build things in the garage using his tools and scraps of wood. I would also go out on jobs and help him paint or do various other tasks. I did the same with my mom, following her around the kitchen and wanting to help her bake or visiting her at work when she was an RN in the ICU at the hospital. I wanted to be like them!

What is a favorite memory at CSS? I met my wife, Stacy, at the school, and we worked together for several years, so getting married at CSS was an amazing experience. The ceremony was outside on the Terrace of the Trianon in late October 2014. It was a beautiful 80-degree day with Colorado blue skies and the fall colors all around us. I remember looking over near the entrance to the gym and seeing two of my Upper School Band students watching our ceremony. There were regional volleyball games going on in the Field House that weekend, so our girls’ team ran out to give us hugs in-between games. I also remember a team from another school sitting under a tree on the quad, and cheering for us when the pastor finally said “you may now kiss the bride.” Such a magical moment at CSS!