Meet the Team
Lea Barone
Lea Barone
Hello! My name is Lea Barone, but I’ve been Ms. Lea since I first started teaching in 2005, at The Logan School for Creative Learning.
In 2003, I graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a degree in English and Sociology. It was after graduation that I realized what I wanted ‘to be when I grew up’ and I was lucky to earn my teaching license through Stanley British Primary School’s Teacher Preparation Program and the University of Colorado at Denver.
I have been teaching in DPS for over ten years, with the majority of my experience as a founding teacher at KCAA. This will be my 9th year as a Literacy Interventionist, a position that is a perfect blend of my two favorite things: teaching and reading!
I am thrilled to be joining the Edison Eagles this year as a part-time literacy intervention teacher supporting Kindergarten, Second grade and Fourth grade students. You can find me at Edison Monday-Friday from 8am-2pm. I'm SO excited to be at a school that's close enough to ride my bike to! And a school that's close to Sweet Cow too!
When I am not at school I truly enjoy... READING! I love reading my own books, but I especially enjoy the snuggles I get during family reading times, when my husband Nick and I read with our (almost) 4 year old daughter Delia, who will begin at Edison this year in Ms. Kathy's ECE, and our 2nd grade son Eli.
In 2003, I graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a degree in English and Sociology. It was after graduation that I realized what I wanted ‘to be when I grew up’ and I was lucky to earn my teaching license through Stanley British Primary School’s Teacher Preparation Program and the University of Colorado at Denver.
I have been teaching in DPS for over ten years, with the majority of my experience as a founding teacher at KCAA. This will be my 9th year as a Literacy Interventionist, a position that is a perfect blend of my two favorite things: teaching and reading!
I am thrilled to be joining the Edison Eagles this year as a part-time literacy intervention teacher supporting Kindergarten, Second grade and Fourth grade students. You can find me at Edison Monday-Friday from 8am-2pm. I'm SO excited to be at a school that's close enough to ride my bike to! And a school that's close to Sweet Cow too!
When I am not at school I truly enjoy... READING! I love reading my own books, but I especially enjoy the snuggles I get during family reading times, when my husband Nick and I read with our (almost) 4 year old daughter Delia, who will begin at Edison this year in Ms. Kathy's ECE, and our 2nd grade son Eli.
Lauren samaras
Lauren samaras
Hello!
My name is Mrs. Samaras (formerly Ms. Johnson). For the past 4 years, I've been lucky enough to teach 2nd grade at Edison, and also started my career teaching 1st and 4th grade in Illinois before moving to Denver. This year, I am excited to get to work with a variety of students, teachers, and families in my new role as a team lead and co-teacher. Specifically, I will be supporting math in 3rd grade and guided reading in 4th grade this year.
I was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, which is also where I got married this summer! I went to college at Elon University in North Carolina and graduated with a degree in both Elementary Education and Mathematics. I love to snowboard, cook, travel, and spend time with my pup. Some of my favorites are sushi, unsweet iced tea, the color yellow, and stingrays!
It is my goal to help foster independent learners that feel confident and successful at school, and can then transfer those skills into the "real world". I also believe that creating an inclusive environment, as well as developing student's social and emotional skills, is more important now than ever. I have been so impressed with the resilience and flexibility that the Edison community has demonstrated over the past couple years, and am looking forward to supporting teachers and students as we continue to figure out this ever-changing world together!
My name is Mrs. Samaras (formerly Ms. Johnson). For the past 4 years, I've been lucky enough to teach 2nd grade at Edison, and also started my career teaching 1st and 4th grade in Illinois before moving to Denver. This year, I am excited to get to work with a variety of students, teachers, and families in my new role as a team lead and co-teacher. Specifically, I will be supporting math in 3rd grade and guided reading in 4th grade this year.
I was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, which is also where I got married this summer! I went to college at Elon University in North Carolina and graduated with a degree in both Elementary Education and Mathematics. I love to snowboard, cook, travel, and spend time with my pup. Some of my favorites are sushi, unsweet iced tea, the color yellow, and stingrays!
It is my goal to help foster independent learners that feel confident and successful at school, and can then transfer those skills into the "real world". I also believe that creating an inclusive environment, as well as developing student's social and emotional skills, is more important now than ever. I have been so impressed with the resilience and flexibility that the Edison community has demonstrated over the past couple years, and am looking forward to supporting teachers and students as we continue to figure out this ever-changing world together!
Whitney Dougherty
Whitney Dougherty
Hi there, my name is Mrs. Dougherty and I will be starting a new role this year as a reading intervention teacher (1st, 3rd, and 5th grades) and PBIS coordinator. This will be my fifth year at Edison. I have taught 1st grade at Edison the past 4 years, and 4 years in 1st grade prior to that at another school. I am so thankful to be a part of Edison's amazing community! I moved to Colorado 9 years ago from Chicago. I am from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and go back often to visit my family. I went to college in Michigan, and then moved to Chicago. I got my Master's in Elementary Education while in Chicago and then headed west to Denver - almost 9 years ago! My favorite color is navy blue, I could eat blueberries until I turn into one, and I am a firm believer that you can never have enough stamps in your passport. I spend my weekends running through parks, traveling, eating sushi, and spending time with my family. In April, my husband Jeremy and I had twin babies – Molly and Theodore (Teddy). They keep us very busy, and fill up our hearts and buckets with so much love!! I love teaching and bringing the fun and joy into learning! I love the relationships I am able to build with my students and families each year, and I look forward to watching them grow both academically and emotionally.
Allison Lahner
Allison Lahner
Hi, Everyone!
This will be my 13th year teaching at Edison!
I am currently a math co-teacher and instructional coach-- I spend half of my day teaching students and the second half of my day is spent coaching teachers. Before moving into this role, I taught both 1st and 2nd grades.
I was born and raised in Aurora, CO before moving to Eugene, OR to attend the University of Oregon (GO DUCKS!). I received my Bachelor of Science in Planning, Public Policy, and Management-- shortly before graduating I spent time volunteering in a 1st grade classroom and I fell in love with working with students. I returned to Colorado to receive my Master's in Educational Psychology from CU-Denver.
My weekends are spent with my husband John, our daughter Sophie, and our two dogs Gracie and Penny. We are excited to be welcoming a baby boy to our family in November! We love to get outside and enjoy Colorado by running, skiing, hiking, gardening, and exploring our neighborhood. I also enjoy cooking and baking... when time allows.
I am so excited to be continuing my career at Edison. I love our students, staff, and community! It has been so much fun watching students and families grow from year to year... it's hard to believe my first class of 1st graders graduated from high school last year!
I am looking forward to another great year together!
This will be my 13th year teaching at Edison!
I am currently a math co-teacher and instructional coach-- I spend half of my day teaching students and the second half of my day is spent coaching teachers. Before moving into this role, I taught both 1st and 2nd grades.
I was born and raised in Aurora, CO before moving to Eugene, OR to attend the University of Oregon (GO DUCKS!). I received my Bachelor of Science in Planning, Public Policy, and Management-- shortly before graduating I spent time volunteering in a 1st grade classroom and I fell in love with working with students. I returned to Colorado to receive my Master's in Educational Psychology from CU-Denver.
My weekends are spent with my husband John, our daughter Sophie, and our two dogs Gracie and Penny. We are excited to be welcoming a baby boy to our family in November! We love to get outside and enjoy Colorado by running, skiing, hiking, gardening, and exploring our neighborhood. I also enjoy cooking and baking... when time allows.
I am so excited to be continuing my career at Edison. I love our students, staff, and community! It has been so much fun watching students and families grow from year to year... it's hard to believe my first class of 1st graders graduated from high school last year!
I am looking forward to another great year together!
Jenna Radwanski
Jenna Radwanski
Hi Edison Families!
My name is Jenna Radwanski but most of my coworkers and students know me as Ms. Rad!
I am so excited for my first full school year here at Edison and my fifth year teaching special education. I graduated with a Bachelor's in Special Education from the University of South Florida in 2016- go bulls! After graduation, I taught in Hillsborough County as a preschool special education teacher. I taught 3, 4, and 5 year old children with multiple disabilities and created a nurturing environment that fostered a love for learning. In January 2019, I moved from Tampa, FL to Denver, CO for new adventures and opportunities. In January 2020, I took the Multi-Intensive Autism position and grew so much as a special education teacher. This is my third year teaching first, third, and fifth grade students at Edison.
As much as I miss the beautiful Florida beaches along the Gulf, I have been loving my time here in Colorado (especially the lack of humidity). Since the move, I have taken up a few outdoor activities such as skiing and hiking! Although I may still be on greens, I enjoy every minute on the slopes. I hope to eventually make it on blues and blacks...baby steps. In my free time, I also enjoy trying new restaurants and foods (major foodie!). My favorite foods include tacos, guacamole and pasta.
I am so thankful to be at Edison this year in a new role as a mild/moderate Special Education teacher. I hope to bring fun to learning and support students in being life long learners. I look forward to advocating for students with disabilities and working with amazing teachers/staff!
My name is Jenna Radwanski but most of my coworkers and students know me as Ms. Rad!
I am so excited for my first full school year here at Edison and my fifth year teaching special education. I graduated with a Bachelor's in Special Education from the University of South Florida in 2016- go bulls! After graduation, I taught in Hillsborough County as a preschool special education teacher. I taught 3, 4, and 5 year old children with multiple disabilities and created a nurturing environment that fostered a love for learning. In January 2019, I moved from Tampa, FL to Denver, CO for new adventures and opportunities. In January 2020, I took the Multi-Intensive Autism position and grew so much as a special education teacher. This is my third year teaching first, third, and fifth grade students at Edison.
As much as I miss the beautiful Florida beaches along the Gulf, I have been loving my time here in Colorado (especially the lack of humidity). Since the move, I have taken up a few outdoor activities such as skiing and hiking! Although I may still be on greens, I enjoy every minute on the slopes. I hope to eventually make it on blues and blacks...baby steps. In my free time, I also enjoy trying new restaurants and foods (major foodie!). My favorite foods include tacos, guacamole and pasta.
I am so thankful to be at Edison this year in a new role as a mild/moderate Special Education teacher. I hope to bring fun to learning and support students in being life long learners. I look forward to advocating for students with disabilities and working with amazing teachers/staff!
Kate Strasser
Kate Strasser
Hello Edison families!
I am excited to start my 9th year of teaching and my fifth at Edison Elementary. I teach kindergarten, 2nd grade and 4th grade reading and math. I am excited for another year of co-teaching math.
I am from Crete, Illinois, which is about 40 minutes south of Chicago. I have two brothers and a sister who live throughout the USA. I also have twin nephews who are 7 years old that live in Minnesota. I love to visit my parents who still live in Crete. I try to see the windy city and catch a Cubs game or Bears game when I visit. I am a huge Chicago sports fan. I will admit, I do cheer for the Denver teams as well.
I went to school in Wisconsin at Lawrence University and got a degree in psychology. I then moved out to New York City to experience living in a big city. After four years, I moved to Denver to pursue my dream of teaching. I went to Metro State University and received my teaching license.
I like to spend my weekends outside exploring. I like to run, hike and bike. I love to bike around and explore Denver. I will bike to work as much as possible. I like to run races; I have run 9 ½ marathons and run 2 full marathons. Although I love the city, I like to get away by going hiking in the mountains over the weekends. I also enjoy staying inside and curling up with a good book.
I am thrilled to be back at Edison for another year of growing!! I can not wait to see the students when we return from the summer
I am excited to start my 9th year of teaching and my fifth at Edison Elementary. I teach kindergarten, 2nd grade and 4th grade reading and math. I am excited for another year of co-teaching math.
I am from Crete, Illinois, which is about 40 minutes south of Chicago. I have two brothers and a sister who live throughout the USA. I also have twin nephews who are 7 years old that live in Minnesota. I love to visit my parents who still live in Crete. I try to see the windy city and catch a Cubs game or Bears game when I visit. I am a huge Chicago sports fan. I will admit, I do cheer for the Denver teams as well.
I went to school in Wisconsin at Lawrence University and got a degree in psychology. I then moved out to New York City to experience living in a big city. After four years, I moved to Denver to pursue my dream of teaching. I went to Metro State University and received my teaching license.
I like to spend my weekends outside exploring. I like to run, hike and bike. I love to bike around and explore Denver. I will bike to work as much as possible. I like to run races; I have run 9 ½ marathons and run 2 full marathons. Although I love the city, I like to get away by going hiking in the mountains over the weekends. I also enjoy staying inside and curling up with a good book.
I am thrilled to be back at Edison for another year of growing!! I can not wait to see the students when we return from the summer