LEADERSHIP TEAM:

Steve Halstedt
Board President
Steve is Managing Director of Denver's Centennial Ventures. He is the Founding President of the Venture Capital Association of Colorado and has previously served on the board of the National Venture Capital Association. As a venture capitalist, Steve provides capital funding and strategic direction to start-up companies. He has drawn on his for-profit and start-up experience to shape OpenWorld Learning into a replicable non-profit program capable of reaching national scale.

Barb Youmans
Chief Executive Officer
Barb has worked for OpenWorld Learning since 2004 when she joined the team as the Operations Director.  Barb's dedication to youth enrichment and her passion for high quality education programs have translated into a bold vision for expanding future services to children throughout the country.  She received her Bachelor's Degree in mathematics with a teaching certification, has completed additional coursework in Instructional Design and Technology, and is currently working on her MBA.  Barb has over 25 years of experience in the education and management arenas.

Chris Myers
Founder
Chris is a social entrepreneur with a background in elementary school teaching. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Latin American History from Harvard College and a Master's Degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Colorado at Denver. Before founding OpenWorld Learning, he taught elementary school for five years, including two as a bilingual teacher in the Denver Public Schools. Chris managed a $5 million capital campaign to develop the Stanley British Primary School's Lowry Campus. He co-led development of a teacher training program at the Stanley School that was named a Program of Excellence by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education. Chris also led development of the British Primary School program in the Denver Public Schools.

Perry Jowsey
Chief Development Officer
Perry Jowsey brings a proven track record of resource development to OpenWorld Learning. As Director of Development in the Rocky Mountain Region of Good Shepherd Communities — an organization with a national affiliation producing an annual operating budget of $140 million — Perry led efforts to increase charitable dollars by nearly 300 percent, an accomplishment unmatched by any other region throughout the country. His previous tenure as Assistant Executive Director with Literacy Volunteers of Buffalo and Erie County Inc. oversaw the implementation of innovative programs and vast revenue growth marking the largest budget in the agency's 40 year history. With a Master of Arts degree in Communication, he has fulfilled his passion for education as an Adjunct Professor with The University at Buffalo, Niagara County Community College, Canisius College, and Medaille College. He has also consulted with international clients on educational initiatives, highlighted by a presentation to a government delegation from The People's Republic of Bangladesh.

Shelley VanDelinder
Program Director
Shelley has worked in the education field since 1991. She first began as a teacher and then moved to administration, for over ten years serving as both a Center Director and a District Manager, in the field of Early Childhood Education. Prior to joining the team at OpenWorld Learning, Shelley was a Quality Rating Specialist for Qualistar Early Learning, a non-profit organization that supports quality initiatives for Early Childhood providers. During this time Shelley worked with programs throughout the state, striving to improve the quality of the programs offered to children and families. Shelley earned her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Colorado at Denver in 2007, and she plans to pursue her Master's Degree.

Larry Beer
Regional Director
Before joining OpenWorld Learning and after graduating from the University of Colorado with a degree in Psychology, Larry served in the U.S. Air Force as an educator, program manager for training research, occupational analyst, and student pilot. During his service he earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and also volunteered time tutoring and mentoring young people. His innate passions for helping young people achieve and for technology have led him to OpenWorld Learning where he hopes to contribute significantly to its continued growth and success.

Lysa Stewart
North District Multi-Site Manager
Lysa began providing services for children in 1997 working for Denver Public Schools after- school program, Kaleidoscope Corner. As the KC Area Supervisor, she was responsible for staff supervision, training and development of over 200 employees at 38 sites in the district. Lysa also piloted several successful projects, including a partnership providing homeless children with free educational after school programming. Lysa has developed and provided professional staff trainings for many organizations, including Colorado Alliance for Quality School Age Programs (CAQSAP). She served on the city wide committee which created the Denver Guidelines for Quality Youth Programming, a set of standards used to improve the quality of care during out of school time, which is used throughout both the city and nation. Lysa believes that by combining resources we can better serve the children in our communities. To achieve that goal, she is a member of Denver Quality After School Committee (DQUAC) and partners with other providers to ensure that the needs of children and schools are meet. She is also a member of the Denver-CAMP (Collaboration Among Many Partners) management team and assisting with the implementation of a city-wide summer camp partnership providing care to over 120 youth in Denver during the summer of 2007.

Lindsey Bush
South District Multi-Site Manager
Lindsey has been with OpenWorld Learning since November of 2006. She has worked as her way up the ladder starting as a Teacher. She is a graduate of the University of Denver where she received her BSBA in Business, with a minor in Spanish. She is dedicated to OpenWorld Learning and encouraging youth to complete high school and advance to college. During her spare time she enjoys running, rock climbing, and cooking.

SUPPORT TEAM:

Daniel Ajoy
Webmaster
Daniel is a computer systems engineer who graduated from the Escuela Politecnica Nacional of Ecuador in 2000 and works full-time for OpenWorld Learning from Quito. Daniel leads OpenWorld Learning's web development, programming, and database development. He has co-led the development of OpenWorld Learning's print and web-based curriculum materials. Daniel also translates OpenWorld Learning's curriculum and parent outreach materials into Spanish. He has co-led development of OpenWorld Learning's MicroWorlds in Action and ePortfolio web sites and co-moderates the OpenWorld Learning-hosted MicroWorlds Forum.

Andrea Duran
Student Leader Program Coordinator
Andrea has been with OpenWorld Learning since September of 2003. She has worked as a Teacher, Site Leader, and is currently the Student Leader Program Coordinator. Andrea is currently a student at The Community College of Denver, working towards an Associates Degree in Psychology, with the intent to earn a Bachelors Degree. She is an Upward-Bound veteran and has given public presentations for the Colorado Summit on College Access, which explores the barriers and opportunities related to college access for students. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her son Isaiah.

Tara Holmes
Bookkeeper
Tara recently finished her MA in Theatrical Research at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. Back in Denver, Tara is excited to work at Open World Learning, and promote the success of students using technology and creativity. On her free time Tara is theatrical artist and enjoys rollerblading and walking her dog.

Holly Kerr
Development Associate
Holly joins OpenWorld Learning as the Development Associate with a background in education, working with non-profits, and volunteering. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. After college she spent two years as a full-time volunteer in the National Service program, AmeriCorps NCCC. She had the opportunity to assist with the post-Katrina disaster relief effort and help people re-build their homes. After AmeriCorps NCCC, she moved to Hawaii and worked as a Youth Development Director at the Boys and Girls Club, where she developed educational programs. Holly moved to Denver in October of 2007 and absolutely loves the city culture, the people, and all that Colorado has to offer.

Christi Kirchner
Media and Donor Relations Manager
Christi earned her BS in Not-for-Profit Business Management from Huntington University in Indiana. She recently moved to Denver to enjoy living and working in the mountains with her husband. She is excited about OpenWorld Learning’s educational methods and the growth goals which will allow OpenWorld Learning to impact more students each year.

CarylMay Madrid
Administrative Assistant / Site Leader, Castro Elementary School
CarylMay obtained her degree from Seattle Pacific University in Sociology and Global and Urban Ministry. She greatly enjoys working with children and learning from them. She has spent significant time abroad in Africa, Europe, and Asia working with children in a variety of settings. She is excited to be a part of the team at OpenWorld Learning.

George Hernandez
Special Projects/Trainer
George is a retired aerospace engineer with a B.S. from the University of California at Long Beach. Since his retirement in 2000, he has pursued an education in the visual arts. He has taken instruction from various local artists and attended art classes at the University of Colorado at Denver. His medium of choice is sculpture. George has volunteered at such organizations as Downtown Aurora Visual Arts (DAVA), Denver ArtStreet, and the Art Students League of Denver to help educate young people about art. He currently serves as a board member for the Denver Arts and Technology Academy (a charter school). He has been working at OpenWorld Learning since August, 2005.

TEACHING TEAM:

LeAndrea Walter
Senior Site Leader, Kepner Middle School
LeAndrea began working with OpenWorld Learning in 2003 and has recently been promoted to Senior Site Leader, a position in which she assists the Chief Operating Officer and supports site operations. She is an established freelance photographer and graphic designer and has been widely published in magazines and local newspapers. LeAndrea has traveled extensively in Central America where, besides touring, she volunteered and took lots of photographs. Her passion is working with children, to help them achieve their hopes and dreams.

Fatima Ahmed
Site Leader, Place Bridge Academy
Fatima recently received her Bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of Colorado. She's extremely active in volunteer-based organizations that raise awareness and help educate the general public, and her, on matters of faith, culture, and literacy. She absolutely loves working with children and meeting new people from all over the world. She enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Amy Albers
Site Leader, Kaiser Elementary School
Amy started working for OpenWorld Learning in late 2005 as a teacher. Since then she has been promoted to Site Leader, and she has opened two very successful sites. Currently Amy is enrolled at Metro State University and is pursuing a career in social services. Amy loves teaching and working with children. Her passions outside of work include outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and traveling. Amy also likes to find spare moments to cuddle up with her animals and a good book.

Mariam Asgari
Site Leader, College View Elementary School
Mariam started working for OpenWorld Learning January 2008 as a teacher at Ford, since then she has been promoted to Site Leader, at College View. She is currently pursuing her BA in History at Metro State University, with a minor in Education. Mariam loves teaching and working with children. She is passionate about working with students and empowering them. She believes that OpenWorld Learning is a great opportunity for students to learn leadership and will as self esteem. She is born and raised in Denver, Colorado. Her passions outside of work include traveling, art and music. Mariam also loves spending time with her family and friends

Devon Barclay
Site Leader, Mount Carbon Elementary School
Devon received a Bachelor's Degree in English and Political Science from the University of Colorado in 2001, and his Master of Humanities in 2003. He worked as the Program Coordinator for Kids Voting Colorado during the 2004 election before joining OpenWorld Learning and the publication team at CP Ink newspapers, where he works as a freelance journalist and graphic designer.

Lannis (Ed) Fason
Site Leader, Archuleta Elementary School
Lannis was born in a small town in East Texas, where he joined an Army family and traveled the world.  Lannis attended elementary schools in thirteen different states before he graduated from Berlin American High School in Germany.  Lannis joined the Air Force and got to visit Vietnam. After that, he moved to Colorado to work on the world’s first multi-processor computer and also spent some time working with robotics. His hobbies include digitizing old radio programs from real-to-real tape and converting them to MP3’s (who’s on first, "Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!")  Lannis is married with two son’s, a grandson and a granddaughter. 

Augusta Featherston
Site Leader, Ellis Elementary School
Augusta is currently pursuing her MA in International Development at the University of Denver - Graduate School of International Studies. When she is not busy running her site, or engrossed in her studies, she enjoys skiing like a rock star during the winter, as well as reading, crocheting, and quilting.

Rose Hagood
Site Leader, Colfax Elementary School
Rose obtained her bachelor's degree in Woman's Studies, with a minor in Art History, from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona. She recently moved to Denver and is also working part-time at The Children's Museum of Denver. She enjoys hiking and riding her bike. She also loves to cook and craft and in her free time can usually be found wearing a vintage hat and dancing like she's never danced before. Some future goals include backpacking through South America, writing a book, and working with children to create an environmentally sustainable future.

Kate Knudson
Site Leader, Creekside Elementary School
Kate received her degree in sociology from the University of Colorado, where she graduated with honors. She enjoys reading, painting, snowboarding, and never misses an episode of "The Office."

Alicia Martinez
Site Leader, Ford Elementary School
Alicia received her Associate of Arts degree in 2003 from the Community College of Denver in Behavioral Science. In December, she will be graduating from the University of Colorado at Denver with her BA in Behavioral Science and Philosophy. As a mentor, Alicia has worked with a variety of children from different age groups. She enjoys drawing and listening to music.

Scott Mobley
Site Leader, Peiffer Elementary School
Scott graduated from Indiana University with a B.A. in English. He loves working in education and wants to teach creative writing someday soon. He enjoys hiking with his dog, Cooper, cooking, reading and watching college sports. He is proud to be from Tulsa, Oklahoma, home of Dr. Phil and Hanson.

Joanna Pollack
Site Leader, Doull Elementary School
Joanna Pollack graduated in May 2007, with her B.A. in Women’s Studies, minor in Ethnic Studies from Humbolt State University.  She previously worked with the Healthy Start EXPLORE after-school program, in which she was a kindergarten teacher.  In her spare time, Joanna enjoys reading, listening to music, and spending time with friends.

Amanda Wade
Site Leader, Trevista at Horace Mann
Amanda graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a degree in World Literatures. She has spent time studying in Mongolia where she completed a research project gathering hunting folktales from local villagers. She has also spent time working at a Waldorf Kindergarten in Boulder. She currently enjoys spending time with the danza Azteca (Aztec Dance) group Mitotilitzli.

Ian Bawn
Teacher, Trevista at Horace Mann
Ian is a 3D Animation Student at Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design. His love of cartoons is surpassed only by that of green olives.

Gilberto Cabrera Jr.
Teacher, Munroe Elementary School
Gilberto is working towards his teaching degree from the Metropolitan State College of Denver. He enjoys doing web design in his spare time and loves to do computer tech related projects.

Julio C. Dominguez
Teacher, Trevista at Horace Mann
Julio is a 2007 graduate of North High School.  Julio has also received a certificate for Web Applications from the program Computer Magnet, which he attended for four years.  This program really helped his achieve his educational goals for learning computer graphics and design.  Currently, Julio is attending college at the Community College of Denver, on the Auraria Campus.  He is also a really creative person and has a love for art and photography.  Julio also has a love of learning he wishes to share with other Denver students.

Lori Emmons
Teacher, Archuleta Elementary School
Lori earned her Literacy Instructor Certificate- Metropolitan State College of Denver 2000. Additional studies in Creative Writing, Spanish, & Business at Community College of Aurora, with plans to take classes for teaching English Language Acquisition beginning in 2008. Lori has been an AVID (Achievement Via Individual Determination) Tutor with Aurora Public Schools. Also, having served two school terms at Swansea Elementary as Paraprofessional Reading Tutor and one season with Summer Scholars, has further developed her desire to encourage, promote and improve the literacy and proficiency skills and abilities of our community's youth. Being a native to Colorado makes her truly appreciative our beautiful state, she enjoys the outdoors in all seasons, is an aspiring writer, caregiver, admirer of all art forms, and mother of two successful, grown children.

Guillermo A. Fabela (Alex)
Stop Motion Animation Teacher, Kepner Middle School
Guillermo Alejandro Fabela was born in Chihuahua, Chihuahua Mexico and migrated to the U.S. in the early 1980's. While attending middle school in the Roaring Fork Valley he quickly developed a love of films and video production. In high school he also became more familiar with video production as well as developing a true love for computers. Upon graduating high school, he received the Alpine Bank Hispanic Scholarship which enabled him to pursue a higher education at Colorado Mountain College. After receiving his Associates Degree in the Arts at CMC he decided to further his education in video and film at Metro State here in Denver, which is where he now resides.

Chadd Hird
Teacher at Peiffer Elementary
Chadd graduated from the University of Colorado with bachelor degrees in both Classics and History; he was also a member of the Golden Key Honor Society. He is an Eagle Scout and enjoys reading, hiking, and being outdoors.

Tiffany Lloyd
Teacher, Ellis Elementary School
Tiffany is a student at CU Denver majoring in Psychology. She worked with children in summer PomPom and Cheerleading camps. In her free time she enjoys traveling and playing golf.

Vivian Lopez
Teacher, College View Elementary School
Vivian attended the University of New Jersey. Her major was computer science. She has also recently been attending Aurora Community College. In New Jersey she worked in Dandrite a pharmapheutical company. Now she is working in the finance department of AGI. A company of Rv'ers travelers. Her hobbies include traveling, reading, and dancing.

Jabon McMichael
Teacher, Castro Elementary School
Jabon graduated with from the Univeristy of Colorado with degrees in Spanish and International Affairs. He has visited many countries in Latin America and studied in Chile and Costa Rica. Aside from travel, he loves hiking with his two Labrador retrievers, Roscoe and Sadie. He is an aspiring bilingual teacher.

Vincent Mitchell
Teacher, Archuleta Elementary School
Vincent attended Wagner College, located in Staten Island, New York, studying Music and Photography. He later joined the United States Air Force where he crossed trained as both a B52 tail bomber and in Computer Operations. Following his honorable discharge, Vincent began working with Oppenheimer Asset Management in their computer operations hub. He then started with Denver Public Schools in a federally funded program called Academic Skills, which was the first computer lab in the district. Vincent is currently employed at Kepner Middle School as a Pro Tech, where he utilizes his skills in maintaining a 60 plus computer lab on the Macintosh platform. He enjoys fishing, music, and RC aircraft as hobbies.

Anh-Thu Nguyen
Teacher, Ford Elementary School
Anh-Thu Nguyen is a student at the University of Colorado at Denver. She is very interested in majoring in Economics. She has been involved in many clubs and organizations that promotes cultural unity and building social character. Her hobbies consist of ceramics, swimming, and dancing.

Stephenie Pilling
Teacher, Kaiser Elementary School
Stephenie has a Business Administrative Certificate from Platte College. She is an employee with Denver Public Schools working with Elementary School children. Stephenie enjoys a variety of outdoor activities with her three children.

Brian Polk
Teacher at Doull Elementary
Brian earned a degree in History from Metropolitan State College of Denver in 2003. Since then he has written for several local and national publications, performed many local and national concerts with his band, and started a modest publishing company. He also works at the Denver Public Library.