Jennifer Wilger
Executive Director, Co-founder
M.A., Early Childhood,
B.A., English, Westmont College
Special Education licensure, Univ. of Colorado
Jennifer’s passion for curriculum development spans a wide variety of ages and settings, from preschool to high school. Her passion for teaching emerged in her teenage years, when she took a Child Psychology course as a high school sophomore. Through the years, she has benefited from the guidance of skilled mentors—an experience she hopes to share with the students of Temple Grandin School as they develop their passions in a supportive educational environment. At Temple Grandin School, Jennifer collaborates with staff, students and families to create individual learning plans for each student. She is a resource to teachers and parents to ensure that the resulting learning goals are communicated, understood, and implemented throughout the student’s day. Jennifer also guides Temple Grandin School’s collaboration with community partners for research and program planning. Jennifer is the parent of a bright young man with Asperger Syndrome, and has devoted intensive time and study (both in and out of the classroom) to understanding the Asperger learning style. She has many years of experience teaching children of all ages and abilities using a strength-based approach. In addition to her work at Temple Grandin School, Jennifer supervises student teachers in special education, participates in several family support networks, and is a frequent guest lecturer on autism and parenting topics.
“I believe every child is unique, and look forward to helping your children fulfill their potential as they learn and grow.”
David Hazen
Co-founder, Administrator-on-special-assignment
M.A., Educational Administration and Principal Licensure, University of Phoenix
Secondary Social Studies Teacher Licensure, Probe Program, University of Colorado
B.A., Theater, Eckerd College
In 2010-2011 David Hazen was the Head of School at Bridge School in Boulder. From 2005-2009 David served as Principal at Peak to Peak Charter School in Lafayette CO. Prior to Peak to Peak Charter School, Mr. Hazen was the Principal at The Center for Discovery Learning (K-12th grade charter school) in Lakewood, Colorado from 2000-2003. In addition, from 1994–2000 he was the Assistant Director for Projects, Americorps, National Civilian Community Corps, in Denver Colorado.
“The Temple Grandin School project stands out for me as the opportunity of a lifetime, creating a world class 21st Century School that breaks boundaries for all of its students.”
Mark Inglis
Director of Admissions, Marketing, Operations & Technology
B.A. Earlham College, Religion/Physics
M.A. Earlham School of Religion
MCSE courses, Horizon Learning Centers
Mark Inglis, CEO & educational technology consultant for CMI Associates, has helped start two other new schools, two not-for-profit programs as well as two businesses. Mark served as the founding Director of Technology for the Denver School of Science and Technology. He brings a wealth of understanding of education, finance, operations, technology and start ups having worked in educational administration and technology for over 15 years.
“My work has to be a calling. This is a no brainer for me. I’ve worked with David before and I believe in David and Jen’s vision and abilities to create something very strong and needed in the area.”
Nisa B. Hallesy, OTR
Director of Support Services
B.S., Occupational Therapy, San Jose State University
Nisa’s brings 24 years experience with Asperger’s Syndrome and other neurocognitive differences. Nisa’s three children have multiple diagnoses of neurocognitive differences, including Asperger’s Syndrome (AS). One is now in college, one just graduated with a Master’s degree, one is enrolled at the Temple Grandin School, passionate about biology, geology and the arts.
Nisa has advocated for her own and others children in public and private schools, therapeutic programs and elsewhere. Her most recent professional experiences was with the Western Institute of Neurodevelopmental Studies and Interventions (WINSi), where she set up an Occupational Therapy clinic and developed and ran the Occupational Therapy program in coordination with Dr. Kytja Voeller and colleagues. This year she has joined Temple Grandin School as Director of Support Services, developing curriculum for and teaching a life skills class (Real World 101) in cooperation with TGS colleagues and Perspectives program staff.
“I am very excited about the potential TGS has to prepare these special young people for the future.”
Abigail O’Loughlin
Behavior Specialist, Middle School English
M.A. Special Education, Moderate to Severe Disabilities; Ohio State University
B.A. Special Education, Learning Disabilities, Language Arts; Michigan State University
Finishing final supervision for her BCBA.
Abbey has had experience working with individuals between the ages of 3 and 26 years old with a range from mild to severe disabilities. While the majority of her work has focused on behavior modification and interventions, she has also directed theater productions, taught functional life skills, and lead academic instruction to all ages and all abilities. She is passionate about creating behavior interventions that are functional and feasible to implement not only throughout the school day, but also at home. She believes in constant and consistent reinforcement of all appropriate behavior in order to decrease the unexpected or maladaptive behaviors that hinder a child’s ability to function throughout the school day and in the community.
Abbey is completing her supervision for her BCBA certification in conjunction with her work at TGS.
“That there could be a science of behavior, of what we do, of who we are? How could you resist that?” -Donald Merle Baer
Amy Thrasher
Perspectives Instructor, Consultant
Assistant Prof, Univ. of Colo, Boulder
M.A., Speech-Language Pathology, University of Colorado at Boulder
CCC-SLP
B.A., Psychology, Williams College
Amy is a Clinical Assistant Professor at CU Boulder. Her main areas of interest have been the communication development of young children, early literacy, social communication and peer interaction. She has developed inclusive group intervention programs for students on the autism spectrum, including Story of Friendship for children preschool age to second grade, and Space Camp for elementary school age children.
Together with Jen Wilger, Amy coordinates the Perspectives program at Temple Grandin School. Perspectives provides explicit instruction in the process of social communication in order to lead to the flexible and appropriate use of social skills. The approach is based on the work of Michelle Garcia Winner. Four graduate clinicians in speech-language pathology will assist in providing the intervention under Amy’s supervision.
On a personal note, Amy thrives when she is making art, attempting yoga, rock gardening, and being with her dog and husband by the creek.
Liz Westerfield
Math & Science teacher, Plus-One & Transitions Coordinator
Ed. D. Nova Southeastern University, Special Education Administration
MS, Johns Hopkins Univ, Environmental Science
Secondary Science, Drama & Special Ed licensure, CO
BA Ohio Wesleyan University, Theater
Liz has taught just about every subject in her 14 years in the classroom, but her passion lives in the sciences and in theatre arts. She especially loves working with middle school students and has the ability to build genuine relationships with this age-group. Middle school students traverse a sometimes awkward and mysterious road encountering changes to their social world, bodies, academic expectations, personal ambitions, ideas, and outlook on life. Liz understands the excitement and confusion of this time and serves as an able guide to help these students bridge the chasm between childhood and young adulthood.
Prior to teaching in the classroom, she taught in alternative settings such as The Audubon Society and The National Zoo.
“Being a part of TGS is an honor and I am thrilled to have the privilege to work with David again for the second time in my career. Everyone on staff here brings such passion and professionalism to meeting the needs of these kids. I am excited about the students and our journey together.”
Lea Anne Paskvalich
Family & Community Liaison
B.A. Indiana University, Criminal Justice,
Lea Anne has been active in the Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) as a mentor and group leader to families with special needs. She has served on district councils and committees involving special ed for over 10 years. She volunteered in the Child Development Unit at Children’s Hospital for two years as a parent liaison. Lea Anne recently resigned as a Board Member with the Autism Society of Boulder. She taught in First Presbyterian Cooperative Preschool for two years and served as a BVSD substitute. She moved from Chicago to Colorado in 1998 with her husband and two children.
“I am delighted to work with Jen again and the extraordinary TGS team. Through my work with children and families in the community I have seen such a need for a school like TGS and I am honored to be a part of it all.” We are lucky to have Lea Anne come to help us leverage the skills of the many gracious individuals who have stepped up to say “I want to help.”
Please contact Lea Anne if you have questions or want to volunteer for TGS.
Polly Dana
Math & Science teacher
M.A. Dartmouth College, Liberal Studies
Secondary Science licensure, CO
A.B. Princeton Univ., Geological & Geophysycal Sciences, cum laude
Polly has a lifetime of learning and teaching to share. She has a passion for her subject and for her kids that is second to none, as well as a patience and compassion that is unsurpassed. We are delighted to have Polly on board for TGS.
Brice White
Social Studies teacher
BA History, Univ. of Colorado, Denver
Adtl work in theater, Naropa Univ
Secondary Social Studies licensure, CO
Brice brings many things to the students of TGS, not the least of which is a keen sense of humor. He has a passion for his subject and for his kids, not to mention LARPGs (you’ll have to ask him) & blacksmithing. We are delighted to have Brice on board for TGS.
David Kittridge
Language Arts teacher
BA, English, Metro State
Highly Qualified: Journalism
Secondary English licensure, CO
We are delighted to have David join the TGS staff. David brings a love of kids, strong flexibility and and a great sense of adventure along with his love of literature and language.
Togi Kinnaman, LPC
Support Assistant
MA Colorado Christian University, Counseling
BA, San Diego State University
Togi has worked with numerous young people and adults with special needs. She runs a career counseling program and provides services in private practice and to several other organizations. Her grandaughter also attends TGS. Togi is a strong comforting force for our students.
Carol Meier
Finance/Bookkeeper
B.S., M.S. Computer Science, University of Pittsburgh
Carol is one of the secret weapons that has enabled TGS to take off! It has even been said that she is one of the REAL reasons TGS exists. An incurable organizer and veteran volunteer at several private schools, Carol continues data wrangling, budget bungling, photo mangling, staff tormenting and general trouble-making as a volunteer at Temple Grandin School.