MEEKER |
Bradley Hagstrom: Born in California, Hagstrom has a Bachelor of Arts (Summa cum laude) in social science and history and a Master of Arts in education from Regis University. He also studied economics at Florida International University and The University of Helsinki and is nearing the completion of a second master’s degree in integrating the arts into education at Lesley University based in Boston. He is bilingual (English and Spanish) and spent the last two years teaching fifth grade in Issaquah, Wash. He has 16 years’ teaching experience including Michigan, Northern Europe (Estonia) and seven years at Bill Reed Middle School in Loveland, Colo. Hagstrom and his wife, a lawyer from Medellin, Colombia, have two children. Their daughter studies at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and their son began preschool at Meeker Elementary this week. The family dog, a mini Aussie, is an astute frisbee catcher and fresh snow trail breaker. Hagstrom loves mountains and sea, arts, traveling, teaching, poetry, bibliotherapy, blogging, barbecue, coffee, picnics, raspberries and newsprint, volleyball, soccer, skiing, windsurfing, and mountain biking.
Melinda Walls: My name is Melinda Walls and I’m thrilled to be teaching first grade in Meeker, Colo. I taught for 23 years in Indiana where my husband and I raised our family of three girls. We always dreamed of living in the mountains of Colorado and in 2012 we made the move. I taught second grade at Dos Rios Elementary in Greeley and then became an assistant principal at Bella Romero Elementary (also in Greeley). I loved my job but my heart longed to live in the mountains. Last year we moved to Meeker and I was an instructional coach in Rifle at Wamsley Elementary. This year I am looking forward to meeting new families in Meeker through my students!
Ana M. Moreno: I have the privilege of being bilingual. I was born and raised in Mexico where I had the opportunity to get an incomplete degree in nutrition. I moved to Meeker eight years ago. I worked seven years at Pioneers Medical Center, the last three years as a certified nursing assistant at the ER/hospital. This 2018-2019 school year I will be the new English language learner paraprofessional (ELL). I will have the privilege of being able to work with the students in English language proficiency. I will have the pleasure of offering my translation services for parents or guardians during parent/teacher conferences, as well as any communication needs with the school and the school district. I’m looking forward to working with the Hispanic community—students and parents—as well. I want to make sure they know the school district is here for them. We want to make sure that every child meets the same challenging expectations as all of Colorado’s children.
Matthew Hunter: My name is Matthew Hunter and I work for BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services) as a behavior support teacher. I work in both Meeker and Rangely supporting students and teachers. I am originally from Farmington, N.M. I have a bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education from Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, N.M. I just completed my master’s degree in elementary education with an emphasis on curriculum and instruction. This is my sixth year teaching. I taught three years of third grade in Rangely, one year teaching seventh grade math in Aurora, and one year teaching second grade in Farmington, N.M. I am most looking forward to getting to know the students in Meeker and embracing the challenge of a new position.
Georgann Amack: Amack will be teaching seventh grade science at Barone Middle School. She graduated from Holdenville High School in Oklahoma. She received an associate arts in child development from Stephens Women’s College in Columbia, Mo., and received a bachelor of science degree in zoology from the real school of Oklahoma, the University of Oklahoma. When not in the classroom she likes being a crafty chick and being a Mom to Madeline Amack, at University of Missouri, and Annelise Amack, a junior at Meeker High School. Her favorite saying is: Dream big dreams…then put on your overalls. She is most looking forward to being a positive and caring role model to others. She also likes working with her fellow staff members, especially Mr. Theos.
EDITOR’S NOTE: We had not received bios from Rachel Arney and Winter Blazon as of press time Wednesday.
Special to the Herald Times
