Essentials

P.E. Lori Merritt

This is my 12th year teaching PE at Legacy Point and the start of my 19th year teaching elementary PE, all in Douglas County. I graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a Bachelors in Sports and Exercise Science with my K-12 Teaching License in 2005 and from Grand Canyon University with a Masters in Elementary Education in 2012. I grew up on a ranch in Cherry Valley where I spent many a day riding my horse, checking cattle and playing with my twin sister and younger brother. I now live east of Parker with my husband, our two kids, 3 dogs, 36 chickens, 4 goats and a cat. We enjoy spending our time outside camping, hiking, rafting and of course riding horses. My hope is that I can instill a love for being active in every student at LPE, whether it is playing a sport, taking a hike or going for a run, we should all be physically active for a lifetime!

Contact: lori.merritt@dcsdk12.org

MUSIC: Ashley Graumann

Contact: agraumann@dcsdk12.org

Art: Amy Long

I am so very excited to be teaching Visual Art to the students at LPE! This is my third year at Legacy Point Elementary. The previous two years I served as Building Engineer and Custodian. Luckily for me, my tool belt, which my friends in the LPE main office gifted me last year, works just as well for art as it does for building maintenance. My family moved to Colorado in 2015. Prior to that, I taught Visual Art at an arts-focused high school in Michigan. I graduated from Arizona State University with a Masters Degree in Visual Art. My family enjoys spending time in nature, making stuff, and we adore animals. We have a little crew of pets and we have enjoyed fostering dogs and cats over the years.

I am honored to be able to witness and support the creative and material explorations of the students at LPE. It is my goal that, along with the students, we build a space that is filled with care and respect so that we can feel safe to boldly explore - making and learning from mistakes along the way.

Contact: along1@dcsdk12.org

Science/Leadership/Library: Jess Castillo

I am so thrilled to be back at Legacy Point. This year I will be on on the Essentials Team, working with each grade in Science, Leadership, and Library. This will be my sixth year at LPE. The past years, I have been working along side the students and teachers as an Educational Assistant and in the Library. I am originally from Colorado and currently live in Parker with my husband and three kids, 17, 15, and 12. They keep us on our toes running to and from their activities, but when we are not doing that, we enjoy anything in the great outdoors. I am excited to integrate Science, Leadership, and Library into our specials rotatins to see how they can grow and transform and make it a learning adventure.

Contact: jcastillo@dcsdk12.org