1st Grade

Mrs. Ward

Welcome to first grade! I am thrilled to be teaching at Vanderhoof ! I have a deep passion for nurturing young children and helping them discover the joy of learning. This year, we will be very busy building strong foundational skills, and creating a classroom environment full of kindness, curiosity, and creativity.

I have been a teacher in Jeffco for 26 years, and I have experience teaching kindergarten, first, and second grade. I absolutely love being a teacher, and I cannot imagine doing anything else! My teaching philosophy centers around the belief that every child has the potential to shine, and one of my missions is to help each student find their unique strengths and passions.

I have been married to my wonderful husband Jeff for 24 years. We have two terrific sons, Sam and Jack, and a sweet dog named Rocky. When I’m not teaching, I enjoy reading, camping, and playing pickleball and racquetball.

I’ve seen firsthand how a supportive and engaging environment can inspire young minds. My goal is to create a space where students feel excited to come to school every day, eager to explore new ideas and tackle challenges with confidence. I look forward to building positive relationships with you and your child to make this year a successful and memorable one!

kerrie.ward@jeffco.k12.co.us

Mrs. Klinefelter

Welcome to 1st Grade! Teaching 1st Grade has to be one of the most amazing jobs I could ever imagine having!

Every day is a NEW ADVENTURE and I am so glad that you are part of this adventure through 1st Grade! This year will be a year filled with meeting new friends, learning new things, and becoming more independent! I cannot wait to meet your student and begin to grow our 1st Grade Family together! In our classroom we will be having fun and learning something new each day!

I, Melissa Klinefelter, am a proud and grateful part of the dedicated staff here at Vanderhoof! I have been a part of this talented staff for over 15 years! I am particularly proud of the way we focus on the academic, social, and emotional needs of every child!

I was born in Santa Monica, CA and grew up in Pittsburgh,PA which makes me a HUGE Steelers Fan! I currently live in Littleton, CO. My husband, Ron and I have been blessed with a daughter, Julia, and a son, Andrew. I love to cook, exercise, hike, bike, camp, and travel! I have taught every grade level from kindergarten to 6th grade, but teaching 1st grade is my favorite by far! 1st grade is a magical year where children grow and change tremendously! I can’t wait to be a part of your student’s MOST EXCITING year of school! Let’s work together to make it a successful year for YOUR STUDENT!

melissa.klinefelter@jeffco.k12.co.us

Mrs. Gilchrist

Hello Vanderhoof families! I am super excited to be joining the first grade team this year! I have been in education for 25 years and have taught in Jeffco for the last 10 years. The majority of my teaching experience has been in K-3 classrooms. I am a certified K-12 Reading Specialist and also trained in Orton-Gillingham.

I grew up in Washington State but was born in Louisiana, and my favorite NFL team is the New Orleans Saints. During college, I spent a year studying abroad in Ecuador. After graduating, I met my husband. We moved to Colorado in 2006 for the blue skies, snowcapped mountains, and live music scene. We have a darling daughter in high school and two playful pups named Bronson and Maizie. In the summertime, we all love to camp and go rafting on the Upper Colorado River.

This is going to be a great year full of new discoveries and personal growth! I am looking forward to it!

stephanie.gilchrist@jeffco.k12.co.us