About Mrs. Kirkland:

This is my 12th year teaching full time, my third year teaching 5th grade, and my first full year at Gold Rush. I earned my Bachelor of Education (Primary) from Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia, in 2005. I then spent nearly a decade teaching in London, UK, working with students across a range of age groups, from early years through upper elementary. During my time in London, I also obtained British Qualified Teacher Status through the University of Hertfordshire in 2009. In 2015, I relocated to the United States with my husband and taught 1st and 2nd grade at a private school in San Jose, California. In 2022, we moved to Colorado, where I continue to pursue my passion for teaching after spending some time at home with my family.

I’m a proud mom of two wonderful boys! One is a GRE 4th grader, and the other is 4 years old. I absolutely love being part of the GRE community and the incredible 5th grade team!

Some of my favorite things include spending time with my family, photography, tennis, traveling, true crime shows, chai lattes, and everything about fall!