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Matthews, Keaton

3rd Grade Teacher

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Matthews, Keaton

3rd Grade Teacher


BS, Interdisciplinary Studies, Texas A&M University

What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I went skydiving, swam with sharks, and jumped off the world's tallest bungee bridge in South Africa!

If you were a superhero, what powers would you have?

I would love to fly, so I could see more of this beautiful world!

What is one thing you've learned from students?

To not take life so seriously

What did you want to be growing up?

A dancer

What draws you to working with students?

I love getting to be a part of the person they will become and grow up to be.

What is one thing you enjoy about CSS and why?
I enjoy how much CSS cares for its students, teachers, and staff.

What is your favorite spot in the world and why?

Italy because of the food, views, and pace of life!

Mazhandu, Farai

Upper School Science Teacher

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Mazhandu, Farai

Upper School Science Teacher


Master's in Physics, Colorado School of Mines

M.S., Physics, University of Witswatersrand

What would people be surprised to learn about you?
You might be surprised to know that, despite my appearance, I'm a proud father of six, and interestingly, the youngest and only boy in our family. I've had the unique coincidence of living in towns named Springs both in South Africa and now in the USA. And for a quirky tidbit – I enjoy munching on garlic just for the (bitter) fun of it!

If you were a superhero, what powers would you have and why?

My power would be teleportation, allowing me to travel the world instantly and without cost. This ability would not only feed my love for exploration but also allow me to visit my mother back in Zimbabwe every weekend.

What is one thing you've learned from students?

One vital lesson I've learned from students is the transformative impact of encouragement and support. Witnessing their ability to achieve remarkable feats with positive reinforcement truly astounds me. Another lesson is the importance of staying young at heart and embracing a perpetual state of learning. This approach keeps me humble, curious, and open to new perspectives, profoundly shaping my teaching methods and continually challenging my knowledge base.

What did you want to be growing up?

As a child, my aspiration to be a pilot was fueled by the enchantment of flight, captivated by a local fairytale song about soaring like a bird among the clouds. Though my career took a different turn, this dream fostered my ambitious nature and a deep-seated love for travel and discovery. It ingrained in me a spirit of freedom and adventure that continues to influence my life and aspirations.

What draws you to working with students?

My passion for working with students stems from a desire to share my knowledge and serve as a resource for future generations. I enjoy taking on seemingly complicated subjects like Physics and making them simple to understand and exciting to think about. The chance to inspire and guide the next generation of leaders and innovators is incredibly rewarding. Spending time with young people is super cool - their fresh ideas and energy keep me on my toes; it's never a dull day in the classroom!

What is one thing you enjoy about CSS?

What I most enjoy about CSS is its tight-knit community, where connecting with everyone is easy, fostering a sense of familiarity and belonging. The school's scenic location, set against mountains, adds to its charm. The students' positive attitudes and eagerness to learn and be challenged create an inspiring environment. Moreover, the supportive and caring nature of the staff, parents, and the broader community truly makes CSS a special place to be part of.

What is your favorite spot in the world and why?

That would undoubtedly be our family's rural home in Mukaro, Gutu, Zimbabwe. It's a place where the saying 'there's no place like home' truly comes to life. Surrounded by hills and a serene savanna environment, time seems to slow down here. It's my personal retreat for self-connection and reflection, a haven where I can contemplate life and my choices, and find a sense of renewal unmatched by any other place I've experienced. It's a slice of tranquility that always brings me back to my roots. If I had to choose another favorite, I'd also mention my love for the mountains here!

Michielutti, Emily

Music Teacher

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Michielutti, Emily

Music Teacher


B.Mus. Composition, Columbia College Chicago

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.

Miller, Amy

Department Chair (English), Upper School English Teacher, Capstone Advisor, Full STEAM Ahead Program Director

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Miller, Amy

Department Chair (English), Upper School English Teacher, Capstone Advisor, Full STEAM Ahead Program Director


B.A., English, Colorado College

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.”⁣

⁣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!⁣
⁣ ⁣
⁣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!⁣

⁣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.⁣

⁣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.⁣

Moorhead, Brent

Instrumental Music, Band Teacher

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Moorhead, Brent

Instrumental Music, Band Teacher


M.A., Music Education, Youngstown State University

B.A., Music Education, Youngstown State University

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!

Moulton, Jim

Upper School History Teacher

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Moulton, Jim

Upper School History Teacher


Ph.D., History, University of Denver

M.A., History, University of Arkansas

B.A., Political Science and History, University of Arkansas

Murray, Deedle

Academic Interventionist

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Murray, Deedle

Academic Interventionist


BS, Biopsychology & Minor in English, University of California, Davis

What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I was a member of the Pikes Peak Derby Dames (now known as Pikes Peak Roller Derby). I was mainly a referee, but I have my own trading card!

If you were a superhero, what powers would you have?

Universal Sentient Being Transfiguration. I could become a powerful raptor and enjoy the freedom of flight one moment, then perhaps turn into an octopus to explore the ocean depths, convert to a cheetah and outrun everything, and then transform back into myself at some point. This way, I can experience all the wonders of the animal kingdom first-hand!

What is one thing you've learned from students?

There appears to be more pressure to be busy than to have a balance, and students have taught me to not feel guilty if I'm not always being productive. It's ok to slow down, savor, observe, evolve, and grow at your own pace, so there's no need to compare or compete with anyone but yourself. Years ago, I was a Scholastic rep and I love that they altered the term "reluctant reader" to "dormant reader," because you never know when that spark will occur to light a passion, regardless of age, subject, or any other category.

What did you want to be growing up?

A boss or a Jedi. Haha. I frequently wanted to play "business" and my younger sister would be my secretary (or we'd play "hospital" and she was the nurse to my doctor or I'd be the pilot and she'd be the co-pilot). I'm sensing a theme here.

What draws you to working with students?

I draw on their energy, which in turn fires up my passion, which in turn powers up their enthusiasm, which ultimately makes learning more fun and dynamic. There's never a dull moment and I find myself gravitating to students because of their insatiable curiosity. I see so much potential everywhere I look.

What is one thing you enjoy about CSS?
There are so many unique and profound things that make CSS special, but if I had to pick just one, I'd say I'm in awe of all the innovation...from the revolutionary teaching techniques by my amazing colleagues to the creative solutions many students devise. I witnessed a phenomenal math teacher produce a fraction/percent/decimal lesson via a fun game and later that same day, I see a fabulous science teacher helping students put their glacier models in a freezer. This experiential learning makes a massive difference when it comes to retaining information and I'm here for it!

What is your favorite spot in the world?
It used to be Waldo Canyon until the fire; best hike ever! Now, I'd say pretty much anywhere with my two boys. They are fun and easy travel companions; our last big trip was to the Big Island of Hawai'i for my younger son's 16th birthday in 2022, so we're due for another adventure. I do love to travel and have been to 49 of the 50 states (North Dakota eludes me) & about a dozen countries, so I do see a lot more exploring in the future. We're all about to become SCUBA certified and my younger son will be on an international tour with the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony to Australia and New Zealand (followed by a vacation in Japan); my older son and I may just have to join him. I will say that NYC makes me feel alive!

Bio: Deedle has an eclectic background ranging from working in residential treatment facilities for traumatized adolescents to entrepreneurial endeavors to public schools. Born and raised in Northern California, she moved to the Atlanta area from 1993-1998, where she fell in love with veterinary medicine. After moving to Colorado Springs in 1998, she purchased, owned, and operated Colorado Avenue Veterinary Hospital (which is now Cerberus Brewing Company) until she started her family. She then started, owned, and operated her art-and-play-based preschool until her two sons were in Kindergarten, at which time she began working in CMSD12 as a math interventionist and librarian. Deedle also holds a Paralegal Certificate from Pikes Peak State College (& is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society) and is the President of the Cheyenne Mountain Music Association.

Other roles Deedle has engaged in include robotics team head coach who went to the state championship five years in a row (with two state championship trophies made of LEGOs), Battle of the Books coach, high school speech and debate/forensics team adjudicator, Science Olympiad/Math Olympiad coach, Chess Club coach, and chair of five vastly different boards. When Deedle isn't working or traveling, you can find her hiking with her two sons and dog (Luna), snuggling up with a good book while surrounded by her three cats (Gingy, Yam, and Tofu), or caring for her backyard chickens at her house in Cheyenne Canyon. She is a huge animal lover and bibliophile who also adores 80s alternative music, Star Wars, Harry Potter, and just about any game or toy you can imagine. Basically, she's a kid at heart.

Mylin, Nathan

Lower School Division Director

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Mylin, Nathan

Lower School Division Director


School Management and Leadership Certification, Roehampton University

M.S. Ed, EPPSP, Educational Administration, Butler University

B.S. Mathematics and Physics, Butler University

What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I love art and am an avid collector of antiques and historical items.

If you were a superhero, what powers would you have?

The power to go back in time, so I could meet some of the great minds and spirits who have made an impact upon the world, like Abraham Lincoln, Alice Paul, MLK, and Lucille Ball, too, who made me laugh so much!

What draws you to working with students?

Educators have the important task of engaging and teaching children. I love the challenge of finding what makes kids tick and choosing the right approach, creativity, humor, and productive struggle that will inspire and empower them to think for themselves and want to learn more.

What is one thing you enjoy about CSS?

I am just beginning my CSS journey, but I am inspired by our long-standing commitment to outdoor education, experiential learning, and using best progressive practices in the classroom.

What is your favorite spot in the world?

I love Scotland's breathtaking coasts, hillwalking its countryside, and exploring my favorite capital city of Edinburgh.

Mr. Mylin is an award-winning educator with more than 25 years of academic leadership experience both domestically and abroad, including a certification in School Management and Leadership from Roehampton University in England. He comes to CSS from Traders Point Christian Schools (TPCS) in Indiana, where he has served as elementary and middle school principal since 2018.

Throughout his tenure at TPCS – home to approximately 615 students – Mr. Mylin has played an integral role in revamping the school’s culture to include a vibrant outdoor and environmental education component as well as enhanced curriculum standards with an emphasis on engaging, hands-on science, mathematics, and social-emotional learning.

Prior to his time at TPCS, Mr. Mylin served as housemaster and head of junior boarding for a top-ranked independent boarding school, Merchiston Castle School in the United Kingdom, and spent five years as STEM coordinator and teacher at The Orchard School in Indianapolis. His 29-year teaching career in the field of STEM ranges from math and science to physics and calculus courses.

A former Wilderness Leader for Cottonwood Gulch Organization, he looks forward to exploring the Pikes Peak region with his rising 9th-grade son, Renner, and wife, Heather.

Namnoum, Cassie

1st Grade Teacher

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Namnoum, Cassie

1st Grade Teacher


Colorado Teaching License Certification, University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Masters in Coaching Education, Ohio University

B.A., Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Newbrough, Marie

Marketing & Communications Director

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Newbrough, Marie

Marketing & Communications Director


B.S., Administration, Niagara University

Nissen, Colleen

Academic Interventionist

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Odierno, Serena

Early Childhood Director & PreKindergarten 1 Teacher

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Odierno, Serena

Early Childhood Director & PreKindergarten 1 Teacher


M.A., Early Childhood Education, New York University

B.A., Communication, George Washington University

What would people be surprised to learn about you? I have an identical twin sister.

What is your favorite spot in the world?
Kauai, Hawaii because I lived there for two years.

Serena has worked as a preschool teacher for more than 20 years in New York City and in Colorado Springs. She is thrilled to bring her experience as a Preschool Director to CSS and continue her passion for teaching.