About Miss Stafford

Band and orchestra are my PASSION! I started playing clarinet and violin when I was a 6th grader, and those choices launched the rest of my life! From my first day of 6th grade band all the way through college, band/orchestra was my favorite part of my day that I looked forward to without fail. I think music ensembles are so important and special, especially at the middle school level. They are a place of belonging, teamwork, acceptance, JOY, and pride as we work together towards a common goal.

This is my 12th year teaching music. My hometown is Colorado Springs, and I grew up in the dynamic band program of Lewis-Palmer District 38 in Monument. I also played violin in the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony. I earned my Bachelor's of Music Education from University of Northwestern--St. Paul, and I taught for 3 years in Minnesota. I then moved across the globe and lived and taught on a hospital ship in Africa for 3 years as we traveled between Congo, the Canary Islands, South Africa, and Madagascar. For the last five years, I taught in Colorado Springs, and I recently completed my Master's of Music Education from Kent State University. I am excited to move to Arvada, join Jeffco, and become an Oberon Viking!