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.⁣⁣
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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.⁣⁣
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⁣⁣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.⁣⁣
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⁣⁣-If you were a superhero, what powers would you have?⁣⁣ I don’t need to be a superhero, but I would like to FLY.⁣

A Charleston, South Carolina native, Erin relocated to Colorado Springs in June of 2011 to continue her career with views of the Rocky Mountains. Prior to this relocation, her journey included everything from teaching at both independent and public schools in South Carolina to leading educational, missionary relief efforts in Chambrun, Haiti and inner-city New York. For the past decade, her heart has been connected to the southeast side of Colorado Springs, where she serve as an educational leader in Harrison School District 2.

In addition to school leadership, her work over this past decade has more specifically included bringing experiential learning, STEAM education, and purposeful project-based experiences to the most at-risk youth in our community. Through strong systems, meaningful teacher coaching, and expertise in the K-12 continuum of development, she has made it a personal mission to develop schools that bring high-quality learning experiences to students in order to prepare them for an ever-changing world.

What would people be surprised to learn about you? I am a classically trained clown.

If you were a superhero, what powers would you have and why? I would have Super Strength because I just think that would be a fun time!

What is one thing you've learned from students? There is always a new and better way to do things.

What did you want to be growing up? A Geologist. A Marine Biologist. An Actor. A Comedian. A Transformer. I was all over the place.

What draws you to working with students? I really strive to show the magic and fun that theater can be to students.

What is one thing you enjoy about CSS? I love how beautiful everything is. Everyone is also so nice here.

What is your favorite spot in the world? My favorite spot is the beach, especially in a spot where the waves are crashing on the rocks. I think the power of the ocean really recharges my batteries.

Creston handles internal and external event organizing at CSS and ensures the technical side of the theater runs smoothly. In his work, he believes that through creativity and determination, impossible outcomes can be achieved. Nothing is impossible. Creston has previously worked with the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs as the Interim Technical Director and with Theatreworks as both an actor and a designer. Most recently he has worked with Green Box Arts taking care of the Green Mountains Skyspace by world-renowned artist James Turrell. He is extremely fortunate to have been a part of amazing teams working on incredible projects.

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 would people be surprised to learn about you? I am a Disney Scholar! Ask me about my Disney Fun Facts!

If you were a superhero, what powers would you have and why? I would have the power of speaking to animals because I would love to learn what they think about the world!

What is one thing you've learned from students? My students have taught me to live in the moment and to enjoy each moment!

What did you want to be growing up? I wanted to be a singer and an actress!

What draws you to working with students? I love looking at things through a different lens, and working with students provides the opportunity to look a the world in a ton of different ways.

What is one thing you enjoy about CSS? I enjoy how kind and supportive everyone is at CSS!

What is your favorite spot in the world? On my couch cuddled with my kitties!

Jamie graduated from the University of Colorado with a Bachelor's in Visual and Performing Arts and Special Education. Both her journey in education and the performing arts began at a very young age and remain two of her largest passions. Creating an inclusive learning environment that is welcoming and encouraging to all students is a huge priority of hers when it comes to education. Jamie believes that every student has their own unique way of learning and activating their minds, and is eager to help each student develop those unique skills into powerful tools that may help deepen their education journey.

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!⁣
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⁣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!⁣