Meet Mrs. Livesay!
Mrs. Lisa Livesay
It is such a pleasure to begin my first year as an official teacher at Heritage Elementary! I may be new to the 5th grade staff, but I am not new to Heritage and definitely not new to teaching! I have been teaching since 2001. My first two years were in Orange County, California before moving back to Colorado in 2003 and teaching in Jeffco Public Schools. I have taught grades 3rd-6th over the years and have found something to love with each grade level. I have a M.B.A. in Curriculum and Instruction and love the process of figuring out how to teach a concept so that my students will be engaged, be able to follow along, and learn a lot! One of my favorite things about teaching is the relationships that are cultivated in the classroom with my students. I strive to have a solid positive rapport with all my students, so that trust is earned on both sides. I have high expectations for my students because I have seen how they will rise. I truly believe any child can learn--it's just figuring out the best way to get them there!
My husband of 15 years, Chris.
Christmas in NYC, 2019.
My husband, Chris, and I live within 5 minutes of Heritage Elementary. Our youngest two children have attended Heritage since kindergarten/preschool. We have three amazing children. Nathan is a senior at Highlands Ranch High School this year and loves the guitar, Emma is in 7th grade at Mountain Ridge Middle School and is in a pre-professional training program at Littleton Ballet Academy (with big dreams to dance for New York City Ballet one day), and Kaden is in 4th grade at Heritage and loves everything Mickey Mouse, drawing, dancing, and writing. Our 7 year-old Havanese, MJ, rounds out our family. We love to take trips to Disney, New York, and Indiana (where my husband's family is), have family game nights, go to the park or pool to be active, going to Rockies games in the summer, and just spend as much family time together as possible. In addition to my education degree, I have a B.F.A. in Theater Arts from the University of Northern Colorado and also hold a CNA license. I love the performing arts (theater, the symphony, etc.) and teach a "Mommy and Me" dance class on the weekends at my kids' dance studio. I love reading (favorite is Harry Potter), Starbucks Chai Lattes, going out to eat, Disney and the outdoors!
2022 Disney trip.
I have been out of teaching full-time since 2016. My youngest son, Kaden, was born with a genetic disorder called DiGeorge Syndrome, which left him with several impacting health issues right from the start. He has had 4 heart surgeries as well as 7 other additional surgeries. It was a very difficult decision to step away from teaching full-time, but I knew I needed to be home with him during those early years when he was very sick to support him. He is now 10 years old and, thankfully, doing very well! In 2019, I decided to begin subbing at Heritage and have been subbing regularly ever since. Last year, I did a long-term sub job for Mrs. Howard and was fortunate enough to be asked to stay! My heart has always been in the classroom and I am so excited to be back full-time. I look forward to spending this next year together!
My youngest, Kaden, with a picture of him at 6 months after his 2nd open heart surgery.
My daughter, Emma, dancing in the Nutcracker as Clara in 2022.
Our sweet boy, MJ!
Nathan in his senior photo shoot!