Welcome New Staff Members 2026
Welcome New Staff Members 2026
Liberty Common School
Ms. Gabi Azar (3rd-Grade Instructor, Plato Campus) is excited to begin her journey at LCS as a third-grade instructor. She graduated from Colorado Mesa University, where she earned her degree in elementary education and completed a minor in Spanish. Ms. Azar enjoys exploring the Fort Collins area and is passionate about the outdoors, the musical arts, soda shops, flowers, and her friends and family
Mrs. Jeanie Bradley (4th-Grade Instructor, Aristotle Campus) has been an educator for over 27 years and at LCS since 2011. She worked with the Academic-Support Team at LCHS for four years before transitioning to the general-education classroom as a science and Spanish instructor. She is thrilled to be a 4th-grade instructor at the Aristotle campus after teaching science at the junior high. After growing up overseas, she settled in Colorado and received her degree in biology at the University of Northern Colorado. Besides teaching, Jeanie is the coach of the Middle-School Science-Bowl team. Her husband Steve and she have three children, all members of the Legion of XIII, having completed all 13 years at Liberty Common School. Colorado has been home to her for over 40 years, and she has a passion for Colorado ecology. She loves hiking, birdwatching, chasing sunsets, participating in her church community, and spending time with family and friends.
Mrs. Laurie Casassa (Front Office, Aristotle) | Originally from Southern California, Laurie earned her degree in kinesiology from CSU Long Beach and previously served as a high-school performing-arts director and dance-team coach. She moved to Colorado with her family in 2016. Outside of the office, Laurie enjoys line dancing, group-fitness classes, and can often be found in the stands cheering for her kids and friends at their sporting events and activities. She is thrilled to support the school that has been such a wonderful home for her family.
Ms. Kate Dalbey (Music/Orchestra Instructor, Aristotle) is excited to be moving to Fort Collins to teach orchestra and music at Liberty Common School. Ms Dalbey was born and raised in Montana and received her bachelor’s in music education from Minot State University. She has been teaching 6th–8th-grade orchestra and general music for six years and has played violin, viola, and piano in different settings for most of her life. When not playing or teaching music, Ms. Dalbey loves spending time with any of her eight siblings and 17 nieces and nephews.
Ms. Devin Duroux has a bachelor's degree in history from CSU with an endorsement in social studies teaching. She began her career with Liberty in 2011 as an upper school history instructor; she then taught sixth grade for several years. After staying home to raise her children, Devin is returning to Liberty as a math interventionist. She is thrilled to join the Academic Support Team and contribute to this community in a new capacity.
Mr. Charlie Eich (6th Grade, Aristotle) has been teaching since 2023 and has taught sixth grade at Liberty since 2024. Mr. Eich attended CSU in Fort Collins where he studied English and history. His favorite subjects to teach are history and math, and he loves the literature students read in sixth grade. Before becoming a teacher, Mr. Eich worked as a cook, a bike mechanic, and a cowboy. He and his wife Rachel enjoy hiking, running, and cycling in the mountains. They may also be found camping with their one-year-old daughter, Eugenia, who looks forward to attending Liberty in the future.
Mr. Peter Eisinger (Math Instructor, LCHS) is joining Liberty Common High School in his ninth year of teaching. He holds a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the Colorado School of Mines. After a career in engineering, he turned to his true passion for teaching math by getting an alternative teaching license through BOCES as well as a Master's degree in math education. He most recently taught at Northridge High School. He has always lived in Colorado and loves the outdoors and sports, especially track and basketball. He and his wife Kapri have two daughters.
Mrs. Annette Ellis (Spanish Instructor, Liberty Common Junior High School) was born and raised in Venezuela prior to moving to New England in 8th grade. She has a BA in psychology from Dartmouth College, where she was also a TA in the Spanish department. After several years teaching math and working in Special Education, she earned her MS in speech-language pathology from the MGH Institute of Health Professions. She has since worked as a bilingual speech therapist and literacy instructor in Fort Collins. Mrs. Ellis’ two children have attended Liberty Common School since kindergarten, and she is thrilled to join the junior-high team this year.
Ashley Everett (Communications Specialist) joins Liberty Common as a Communications Specialist with 20 years of experience designing new brands, developing campaigns, and directing photo and video shoots. A graphic-design graduate of Auburn University with a marketing management certificate from Colorado State, she combines conceptual design skills with marketing strategy to deliver fresh, effective creative for clients like Poudre Libraries, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Brother, along with universities including Rice and Colorado State. Ashley is a Liberty Common parent, and when she's not designing, you may find her putting those same creative strategies to work out on the pickleball court.
Mr. Joseph Fritz (English Instructor, Liberty Common Junior HIgh School) earned his bachelor's degree in Bible and theology from Simpson University and holds a teaching credential in secondary English. Over the past five years, he has taught middle and high school English, Bible, and worldview courses at Northern Summit Academy and Dayspring Christian Academy. Joseph is passionate about designing curriculum that helps students see the connections between literature, history, language, and the enduring questions that have shaped Western civilization. He believes the study of the great books should cultivate both intellectual excellence and moral character, equipping students to think critically, communicate clearly, and pursue wisdom throughout their lives. He is excited to join Liberty Common School as a junior-high English teacher and looks forward to fostering thoughtful discussions and a lifelong love of learning. Outside the classroom, Joseph enjoys reading, writing, hiking, and spending time with his wife, Madison, and their 7-month-old daughter, Abigail.
Ms. Aracelli Green (Spanish Instructor, LCHS) is an experienced educator with over 15 years of teaching experience dedicated to helping students build confidence, curiosity, and a love of learning. Originally from Peru, she earned a degree in civil engineering before moving to the United States in 2001, where she found her passion for education. Fluent in English and Spanish, Aracelli enjoys sharing the Spanish language and Hispanic cultures while helping students develop meaningful communication skills. She recently earned a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition and is completing graduate coursework to qualify to teach AP Spanish. Outside the classroom, Aracelli enjoys traveling, learning French, reading, exploring different cultures through food, and spending time with her family. She is excited to partner with students and families for a successful and rewarding school year.
Mrs. Jo Goins (Administrative Assistant, Liberty Common Junior High School) will be joining the LCJHS as an attendance clerk. She has a professional background including several years in the banking industry, followed by public-service roles with the United States Postal Service (USPS) and the Larimer County Clerk and Recorder's Office. Throughout her career in both finance and government positions, her primary focus has always been providing exceptional service and supporting the community. Outside of work, Jo's greatest joy is spending time with her five wonderful children and husband Brad. She is also an avid sports enthusiast and enjoys staying active by playing and coaching softball, soccer, and basketball.
Mrs. Kari Halseide (English Instructor, LCHS) is looking forward to joining the English department of Liberty Common High School in the fall. A Colorado native, Mrs. Halseide holds a Master’s degree in the humanities from the University of Chicago and has twenty years of experience teaching in a classical school. In addition to her love of reading, she enjoys baking, dancing, and paddle boarding. Her favorite place to be is curled up at home with her husband, daughters, and giant St. Bernard.
Mr. Matt Hendley (Facilities Coordinator, LCHS) has been involved in education for over 14 years supporting students in many forms of learning. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in philosophy and religion from Appalachian State University with postgraduate studies in Behavior Analysis at UMass Lowell. Matt lives in Fort Collins with his two sons and enjoys whitewater sports, snowboarding, and cycling.
Mr. Gustav Hoyer received a Master of Arts degree in Musical Composition from the Hartt School and has composed, performed, and produced music in the European Classical tradition for over 30 years. He has had works recorded and performed around the world and recordings of many of his works are available on popular streaming platforms. You can learn more about his musical work at his website https://gustavhoyer.com. He also serves as the Executive Director for the Kalos Arts Foundation, a faith-based non-profit devoted to nuturing new art works from Christian artists. He joins the Liberty faculty as a parent whose own children attended and graduated from Liberty. He will teach Orchestra at the junior high.
Mr. Kobi Jekel (Art Instructor, Liberty Common Junior High School) has an MA in studio art and has worked as a pattern and advertisement illustrator. For the last five years, Kobi taught figure drawing and design history as a college teacher with a focus on early 1900s drawing and design fundamentals. Recently, he, his wife, and children moved to Colorado, and they spend their evenings playing, reading, and watching films. He will be joining the junior-high staff as an 8th-grade art teacher.
Mrs. Melanie Johnson (Physical-Education Instructor, Aristotle Campus) is a Fort Collins native and is thrilled to teach physical education at the Aristotle Campus. Her methodology encourages students to participate in healthy choices daily, build confidence, remain disciplined, and have fun. Outside of teaching, Melanie enjoys supporting her own children's soccer endeavors, camping, exploring the beautiful outdoors, and traveling. You'll also find her running the trails with her husband, lifting, and practicing inner peace at the yoga studio.
Mrs. Lauren Leong (Librarian, Aristotle Campus) grew up in New Mexico and received her Bachelor of Science in communication disorders from New Mexico State University before moving to Colorado. She has spent the last ten years working with college students at Colorado State University. She and her husband, Andrew, have three children, two of whom attend Liberty Common. Over the years spent volunteering at Liberty, Lauren began to feel a calling to be a part of this fantastic school in a greater way. She is thrilled to be the librarian.—truly her dream job, as she's had a passion for reading and books for as long as she can remember. Lauren is so excited to help students develop and further a love for good literature. She hopes every student she encounters will be one who asks for "one more chapter." When she isn't reading, Lauren loves baking, thrifting, crafting, gardening, and spending time with her family. She is so grateful to work at a truly wonderful school.
Mrs. Heather Letourneau (Third-Grade TA, Plato Campus) was born and raised in Fort Collins, Colorado. She attended Colorado State University, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in exercise science. She and her husband are raising three children, all of whom attend LCS. Outside of work, Heather loves staying active with her family, curling up with a good book, and exploring her creative side.
Mrs. Katherine Luttman (2nd-Grade Instructor, Aristotle Campus) holds a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from Valparaiso University. She spent several years supporting individuals with developmental disabilities before transitioning into education. Mrs. Luttman dedicated eight years as an elementary paraprofessional while serving as the athletic director for five years. Her experience also includes working in a variety of direct-care roles and serving as a CNA. Outside the classroom, Mrs. Luttman enjoys ballroom dancing, climbing, cooking, seeing live theater, and getting far too competitive during board games. She and her incredible husband are raising two children and are grateful to call Fort Collins their home.
Mrs. Andrea Maday (5th-Grade TA, Plato Campus) earned her degrees in marketing and human relations. She worked for many years in the fields of marketing and project management before spending time in education, where she has experience in early childhood and k–12 settings. She and her husband have three children at Liberty Common School.
Mrs. Holly Miller (1st-Grade Instructor, Plato Campus) began teaching at Liberty Common School in 2022 and has been in the education field for over 20 years. She has experience teaching preschool, special education and several elementary grade levels. Mrs. Miller grew up south of Denver and graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. Her favorite thing to do is spend time with her family including her husband, three children, parents, siblings and others. Mrs. Miller spends as much time outside as she can, enjoys being active, loves watching the birds in her backyard, reads and learns for pleasure, and is actively involved in her church family.
Ms. Grace Reinhart (6th-Grade Instructor, Plato Campus) graduated from Colorado Christian University, where she earned her bachelor's degrees in history and secondary education as well as her specialization in biblical studies. This will be her first year at Liberty Common. When she is not in the classroom, her hobbies include traveling, reading, and finding new coffee shops with friends.
Mrs. Rachel Ruble (1st-Grade Instructor, Aristotle) grew up in Fort Collins, Colorado. After attending college in a different state, she realized Colorado was her home and decided to move back. She has both her bachelor's and master's degrees in education and is excited to keep promoting excellent education and continued learning here at Liberty Common. Mrs. Ruble loves spending time with her husband James, her daughter Ivy, her dog Mabel, and her cat Abraxos. In her free time, Mrs. Ruble loves to read, do any and all forms of art, and spend time out in her backyard playing with her daughter.
Ms. Maddi Santini (Kindergarten TA, Plato campus). Ms. Santini was born and raised in Fort Collins, Colorado. This is Maddi’s first year working at Liberty Elementary. She just graduated from Jacksonville University, where she majored in education with a concentration in literacy and TESOL. While studying at Jacksonville University, she played division 1 lacrosse. She loves spending time outdoors and with her family. She is the youngest of five children.
Mrs. Jennifer Scheaffer (5th-Grade Instructor, Plato Campus) began her teaching career at Liberty Common School in 2015 where she taught 5th grade for four years. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Colorado State University, as well as a Master's degree in Elementary Education from the University of Northern Colorado. After taking time away from the classroom to raise her three young children, she is excited to return to Liberty and the 5th grade team.
Mr. Britton Sprouse (Latin Instructor, Aristotle and Plato Campuses) studied liberal arts, Great Books, and ancient languages at St. John's College and Hillsdale College's Graduate School of Classical Education. A veteran of the US Marine Corps, Britton loves athletics, chess, and reading Aristotle. He enjoys traveling across the country, especially to visit national parks and presidential libraries.
Mrs. Jillian Stashak (Kindergarten TA, Plato Campus) was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. She graduated from CSU with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies and a specialization in Early Childhood Education. Jillian spent six years in the classroom (mostly teaching preschool), then worked as a homeschool-curriculum coach before becoming a full-time mom to her two boys, who now attend Liberty. In her free time, Jillian enjoys fitness, reading, travel, and being outdoors with her family. She also enjoys all manner of creative pursuits, especially painting, sewing, and photography.
Dr. Seth Stepleton (Chemistry Instructor, LCHS) comes to LCS with over 16 years experience teaching at Front Range Community College, CSU, Community College of Denver, Metro State University, and Colorado Early Colleges. His PhD from Clemson University is in inorganic chemistry with a focus on solid-state materials for optical applications. He has been married to a fellow Clemson Tiger for 20 years and they have an 11-year-old daughter. When not teaching or spending time with his family, Dr. Stepleton likes to garden, bicycle, camp, hike, and enjoy motorsports.
Mr. Matthew Tanner (Science Instructor, Liberty Common Junior High School) has a BS in physiology as well as a minor in anthropology from the University of Wyoming. He also has a Master's in natural-science education from Colorado State University. When not teaching, Matthew enjoys golfing, reading, jogging, watching Denver-sports teams, and spending time with his family. Matthew has two children who attend Liberty Common Elementary, and he will be joining the science department at the junior high this year.
Mrs. Mallory Wilson (Music Instructor, Plato Campus and LCJHS) is excited to join the Plato and Junior High campuses this year as a music teacher. Mallory taught general music, choir, drama, and musical theater classes for 16 years in the public school system. She was in the JH front office last school year and loves being part of the Liberty family. When out of the office, Mallory enjoys spending time with her darling husband, reading, soaking up the sun, water sports, supporting her nieces in their extracurricular activities, and eating (especially Mexican food). She loves attending theatrical productions, sings in a local chamber choir, and is a Disney trivia wiz. Mallory also loves traveling—both domestic and international—and is trying to learn how to speak German.
Mrs. Megan Woodruff (Kindergarten Instructor, Plato Campus) is excited to begin her first year as a kindergarten instructor at Liberty Common School. She has spent the past three years as a Teacher’s Aide at Liberty—one year in first grade and the last two years in kindergarten. Before coming to Liberty, she taught English online to children in China. She holds a bachelor’s degree in religious studies with a minor in music from the University of Texas at Austin. Having grown up mainly in Texas, she now loves exploring Colorado and traveling throughout the United States and abroad with her husband and two children. Together, they enjoy riding bikes on city trails, taking walks around their neighborhood and on nearby trails, and discovering new parks and playgrounds. She especially loves the kindergarten Core Knowledge curriculum and all the fun themed days that bring stories, people, places, science, and history to life.