Our Team

Laurie Mickey- Teacher

Hello Fireside Families,I am a Kansas native who has called Colorado home for more than 30 years. The mountains called and I had to answer! By happy accident, I began working in the preschool at my sons’ elementary school and found my true calling. I am passionate about Early Intervention and committed to giving every child the best possible start in school.
This is my 14th year in Early Childhood education and my fourth year as a proud Fireside Falcon. I worked at Birch Elementary in Broomfield for 10 years and I completed my Early Childhood Special Education degree in 2020.
I am the proud mother of two amazing and talented young men who bring me joy every day. When I’m not teaching, I love to spend time outdoors in our beautiful state. I love to cook as much as possible from my own gardens and experiment with new and unusual recipes--my husband is my willing taster! I’m also an avid reader, movie watcher and coffee drinker, sometimes all at the same time.
I love being part of the Fireside community! I look forward to getting to know all of you.

Wendy Johnson-Paraprofessional

I am so excited to be joining the amazing preschool team at Fireside this year! I have been with Fireside the for four years as a kindergarten para and this is my second year in Preschool. I so enjoy the connections I have made with kids and families through the years.

I have three great kids. Jules (21) and Vivian (19) are attending college at CSU, Greta (15) is at Monarch High School. When I am not at school, my favorite activities are riding bikes with friends and running with my dog Harvey.

Jody Choi-Paraprofessional

It's been my pleasure to be part of the Fireside community since my daughter started attending Kindergarten in 2013. Over the past years I have volunteered in the classrooms and other activities at Fireside, for both my children. I also worked at the Louisville Recreation Center and was a substitute in Building Blocks and Stepping Stones (the preschools located there). I am so excited to be working at Fireside in the the preschool classroom. I enjoy getting to know all the little ones and their different personalities. This has been such a joy in my life. I also enjoy spending time with my husband and my own two "not so little" ones.

Candace Garbow-
Community Liaison

I am honored to join the Fireside family as Community Liaison!
I was born in Fairbanks, Alaska but moved to Minnesota after finishing elementary school. Those are two gorgeous - but very cold - states! I moved with my husband, Zack, to Colorado in 2011. We could not have picked a more beautiful place to call home and start our family.
My background is in electrical engineering and long ago, I did chip design for IBM. I resigned from IBM to work for Zack's startup. Once I had Amelie, I became a stay at home parent. In 2021, I felt inspired to substitute teach within BVSD so I could help our teachers during such a difficult year. Little did I know subbing would lead me here and I am so grateful!
I have two Fireside Falcons: Amelie (3rd grade) and Cade (1st grade). Amelie is a delightful little girl who loves to draw, read, play soccer and listen to Hamilton. Cade is a sweetie pie guy that loves Legos, sharks, crafting and reading.
In my free time, I love to run, read and nap...usually in this order.

Anne Palazzola-
Speech-Language Pathologist

Liz Schneider - Occupational Therapist

Liz grew up in Minnesota and comes from a family of educators, including a grandmother who was a kindergarten teacher and a mother who was a speech-language pathologist. She holds a Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy and an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership. Ski trips to Colorado as a child gave her an appetite for adventure. Liz landed in BVSD in 2013, a perfect place to access the outdoors while also helping kids. Liz loves working with other educators and parents to help students become strong learners. She believes that all students have the ability to participate productively and be included in the regular education experience. Liz spends free time with her two young boys and husband, preferably outdoors.

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