Administration
Shortly after graduating college, Jill discovered her passion for working with individuals with learning differences when she accepted what she assumed would be a short-term job at a learning center. There Jill got her first taste of the life changing power that effective instruction holds for the dyslexic learner. As she witnessed the blossoming self-confidence, resilience, and joy her students experienced as they started to embrace their challenges and view themselves as unique and capable learners, she was hooked.
Since then, Jill has worked in a variety of settings designed for students with dyslexia, and has taught ages from Kindergarten to adult. She joined the Hillside team in August 2006, teaching for seven years, then transitioning into administration in 2013. Jill has found a home at Hillside and is honored to lead this group of exceptional educators and administrators in their meaningful and transformative work.
Not one to shirk her Colorado-duties, Jill spends time outside hiking the front range or simply sitting quietly taking in the vast and beautiful Colorado skies. As a parent, Jill currently enjoys swapping new-school and old-school music appreciation lessons with her teenage son and creating an endless amount of art, ranging from glue-gun and toothpick towers to doodle mandalas with her daughter.
Kathy has a had a lifelong, deep and passionate interest in how children learn. At the start of her career, she established the first programs for children with learning disabilities in the United States Dependents Schools, European Area school system. This experience began a self-driven pursuit of knowledge related to the field of dyslexia and the emotional impact of learning challenges. After landing in Boulder in 1976, Kathy worked for twelve years as a learning specialist in Boulder Valley Schools. Feeling the need to apply her skills more broadly and to expand her knowledge, Kathy started The Learning Connection in Boulder where she provided diagnostic learning evaluations, worked one-on-one with children, and managed a tutoring staff. Kathy also published The Teaching Parent, a catalog of teaching materials for parents. In 1995 she co-founded and co-directed Bridge School, a private school for grades 6-12. During this time she became immersed in the burgeoning, exciting research related to dyslexia and the impact of stress on learning which ultimately culminated in the inception and development of Hillside School where state of the art teaching strategies could be effectively implemented. People often comment to Kathy that starting a school must be very difficult and challenging, but she emphatically lets them know that nothing could be further from the truth. Hillside was a joy from the very beginning because the positive impact on the children was immediately visible in their academic growth and well-being.
Taking advantage of all Colorado has to offer, in 1982 Kathy and her husband Jim designed and built (by themselves!) a passive solar home which they still enjoy. During the building of the house, their two little boys ages 2 and 4 enthusiastically helped by playing in all the available mud and dirt from the building project. Over the years a third son was added to the family and the house became a mini-farm of sorts with bees, chickens, perennials and cutting flowers along with a vegetable garden. Honey, eggs and veggies are regularly shared with all.
In the warm weather months, sitting outside in the gardens under the maple tree is Kathy’s special pleasure. Let her know if you would ever like to come for some quiet time and thoughtful conversation. . .
A proud Boulder native, Rachel was born at Boulder Community Hospital and attended Columbine Elementary, Centennial Middle School (which was a junior high then!), and both Boulder and Fairview High Schools. Along the way, she had some imaginative, knowledgeable, and just plain fun teachers who inspired her to love learning and to become a teacher herself. Since 1999, she has taught and mentored middle school and high school students from Kansas to Paris, France to New York City to Denver and back to Boulder.
She earned her B.S. at the University of Kansas in elementary/middle school education and special education, and her M.S. in special education from Bank Street College of Education in New York City. However, it was at her first teaching job at the Churchill School in New York City when she realized that teaching was really a craft that aligned perfectly with her strengths. Seeing her students flourish in their knowledge of themselves as learners and believe that they could be successful was so life-giving and inspiring that she knew she had found her career.
Teaching at Hillside, with its talented staff and remarkable students and families, has been a highlight in her career thus far. The vibrant Hillside environment inspires her to continue her own education to deepen her understanding of how the brain learns and functions and how to maximize its potential. Since 2017 she has added part-time administrative work at Hillside, focusing on developing a professional development program that shares our expertise in dyslexic learners with teachers in all settings. In her spare time, she enjoys digging in her garden, meeting friends for coffee, enjoying sumptuous meals at the panoply of delicious restaurants in the area, and being a dance mom for her two sweet girls.
Since 2016, Lindsay has led Hillside’s development program, working to ensure the school has the resources it needs to grow and thrive. She’s proud to have led the fundraising—alongside Head of School, Jill Michaud—that made Hillside’s new building and expansion possible, creating more space for our students and services offered to the community. Her favorite part of the job is knowing that every dollar raised helps Hillside’s incredible faculty change lives every single day.
Lindsay began her fundraising career with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in Philadelphia before moving into independent school development at Vermont Academy, a New England boarding school. There, she saw firsthand the transformation that happens when students are met where they are by teachers who have the resources to help them grow. After moving to Colorado in 2014, she worked at Dawson School before finding her true home at Hillside.
Outside of school, Lindsay loves being outdoors—camping as much as possible, hiking in the mountains, or watching from the sidelines of her son’s lacrosse games. She and her husband are raising two boys, Camden (8) and Caleb (4), along with their dog, Phil. She also gives back to causes close to her heart, continuing the cycle of support that has shaped her career.
The importance of education and the love of learning were ingrained in Becky early in her childhood. Her great-grandmother was an example of a lifelong learner who taught on a Navajo reservation in Arizona while in her sixties. After “retirement” she enrolled in beauty school and was a cosmetician in her 70’s and 80’s. Becky was the recipient of many kitchen perms. When she began playing school with her friends, and later the kids she babysat for, the future was clear. Working as a summer day camp counselor for the Special School District in St. Louis, MO led her into special education.
Becky attended Bradley University in Peoria, IL where she majored in Learning Disabilities and Social Emotional Learning Specialist. She was a middle school resource room teacher in Illinois and Colorado before kids arrived on the scene. After taking some time off to be home with her three boys, she joined the Hillside team. In the summer of 2021 Becky completed her long-held dream of getting her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Special Education Administration. Becky is a member of the Orton Gillingham Academy working as a fellow in training under Jennings Miller.
A transplant from the MidWest, Becky enjoys the outdoor adventures of Boulder and Colorado. Paddleboarding was a passion this summer. If you can get her off the water, you will find her on the trails with her dogs, Wren and Penny. Becky is also an avid reader and is proud to say she has visited all of the Little House on the Prairie homesites. A St. Louis native, Becky is a die-hard Cardinals baseball fan and lover of Gooey Butter Cake.
Kendra has always been drawn to roles where her work supports others in meaningful ways. She comes from a background of family education in a hospital setting, helping new families navigate the transition into parenthood. She is passionate about creating an environment where every family feels heard and supported. When she heard about Hillside’s mission to empower students with dyslexia, she felt an immediate connection and knew it was the right place to bring her skills.
Since joining Hillside in 2025 as Office Manager, Kendra has embraced the opportunity to keep the school running smoothly behind the scenes. She cares deeply about creating a welcoming environment for families and ensuring they feel informed and supported every step of the way. Her belief in doing the right thing, even when it’s the harder choice, guides her approach to both her work and her life.
Outside of Hillside, Kendra grew up in Colorado and loves to be outdoors. At home, she enjoys all forms of crafting and finding joy in adding a personal, handmade touch to everyday life. She shares her home with her husband, Matt, their son, Chase, and their two dogs. For Kendra, the best moments are those spent with family, whether on an outdoor adventure or simply enjoying a quiet evening together.
Faculty
Although born in Colorado, Jessie grew-up moving around nationally and internationally. After graduating from the University of Kansas (Go Jayhawks!) with a BA in Psychology, she tried out a few careers only to discover that what her mother had told her for years was true—she was meant to be a teacher.
She received her MA in Elementary Education and a Reading Endorsement from Northern Arizona University. She was a classroom teacher in Tucson, AZ and Seattle, WA before moving back “home” to beautiful Colorado. While her children were young, she took a break from the classroom and tutored students in math and reading. This is when Jessie fell in love with working with students in a small group setting. She then spent several years as a math interventionist in BVSD. She’s excited to now be at Hillside!
Jessie is passionate about helping her students believe in themselves and realize their potential. Her favorite moments in the classroom are when students overcome challenges. There’s nothing better than the smile on the face of a student who finally understands a difficult concept.
Jessie enjoys spending time with her loving husband, cheering on her two sports-enthused children, and doting on her ridiculously handsome dog, Raven. She recharges by hanging-out with friends, going for walks, traveling, and laughing.
For the past two years, Annie Elliott has brought warmth, creativity, and expertise to our school community. She is passionate about designing engaging, multisensory learning experiences that spark curiosity, build confidence, and help every child reach their fullest potential. Families know Annie for the meaningful relationships she builds and the way she creates a classroom where students feel both supported and challenged.
Before joining us, Annie taught in preschool, elementary, and special education settings, gaining a wide range of experience that allows her to meet children where they are and help them grow. She holds a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Colorado and is Orton-Gillingham certified through Ron Yoshimoto. Annie has pursued extensive training in literacy instruction, culturally responsive teaching, and social-emotional learning, which she weaves into her daily practice to support students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences.
Annie and her husband are raising their two children in Boulder, where they love mountain biking, paddle boarding, and escaping to the mountains whenever they can.
Beth.farling@hillsidelearning.org
Beth has been a teacher at Hillside School in Boulder for over ten years. She considers finding Hillside the greatest treasure of her educational career. Prior to teaching at Hillside, Beth spent 14 years teaching special education in the St. Vrain Valley School District. She holds an elementary teaching certification from the University of Colorado and a special education endorsement from Keene State College in New Hampshire.
Beth began her career as an elementary Reading Recovery interventionist before working with students in a middle school resource setting. Over the years, she has pursued her love of learning through numerous literacy and math trainings and workshops. Hillside has given her the opportunity to blend its unique methodology with her own areas of expertise and training.
Beth’s love of the outdoors has taken her to teaching positions in inspiring places such as Talkeetna, Alaska, and Crested Butte, Colorado, before she settled on the Front Range. In her free time, she can often be found camping and rafting rivers with her husband and son. She also enjoys skiing, biking, drawing, and planning the next family adventure.
Christi began her career right out of college after receiving her undergraduate degree in child psychology from the University of Oregon. She has had a variety of positions working with severely emotionally challenged children; working in group homes and detention centers; and working with teen parent programs. These experiences led Christi to become a teacher. After receiving her masters degree and teaching certificate from the University of Northern Colorado, she taught as an English teacher at the middle level for over 15 years.
She earned her degree in Special Education from Western Colorado University in order to better meet the needs of her students. She taught on the Western Slope in Mesa County as a special education teacher for moderate needs students in a middle school where she taught reading and writing intervention for 8 years. Her years as an educator provided her with many valuable teaching skills which she brought with her to Hillside School in 2021.
In her free time, she and her husband spend time rafting, boating, hiking, and playing frisbee with her two dogs. Christi also loves live music, cooking, art, and reading. She enjoys living and teaching in the Boulder area where she can be close to her family.
Vajra is a lifelong martial artist and mindfulness instructor, holding a fourth-degree black belt in Aikido and a belt in Kendo. He has taught movement, fitness, and martial arts to students of all ages—including several Hillside alumni—emphasizing focus, discipline, and resilience.
Beth and her husband moved to Boulder from New York City in 2014. Beth is a native Californian and has lived in many places, but she’s happy that Boulder is her permanent home.
Beth has always known she wanted to be a teacher, though very early career goals also included veterinarian, chef, and acrobat. Teaching allows her to share her love of reading and writing with students, and she hopes that her own passion for learning is contagious. Everyone at Hillside knows that Beth has a growing collection of t-shirts with nerdy academic themes, and on more than one occasion she has unknowingly cornered hapless people at parties who ask her to explain dyslexia. Beth is devoted to the Oxford comma and loves nothing more than collaborating with students to invent clever mnemonics. Teaching is indeed the ideal career path for Beth, who doesn’t have the balance or flexibility to be an acrobat anyway.
Beth did her undergraduate work at Vanderbilt in Nashville, TN, where she stayed after graduation to teach high school English and learned how to use terms like “y’all” fluently. One of Beth’s best college experiences was living in Berlin and studying German, and, eager to see more of the world, she moved to Tokyo after her first year of teaching to teach English to Japanese adults and travel around Asia. Beth moved back to California to coordinate a reading program at a K-8 school and make plans for her next international stint, eventually re-settling in Tel Aviv, Israel, to do freelance journalism and tutor students ranging from eight to fifty-seven years old. Once she was accepted into a master’s program at Columbia University’s Teachers College, she moved back to the US to teach middle school language arts and social studies until her coursework began. Beth stayed in New York City for four more years, conducting neuropsychological assessments at the Yellin Center before landing, at last, in Boulder.
Life has settled down, but Beth still enjoys keeping busy with running, swimming, skiing, hiking, and camping. Downtime to read is very important to her, and she loves to bake and knit as well. And she still travels as often as possible; recent destinations include India, Spain, Jordan, Italy, and Kenya.
The importance of education and the love of learning were ingrained in Becky early in her childhood. Her great-grandmother was an example of a lifelong learner who taught on a Navajo reservation in Arizona while in her sixties. After “retirement” she enrolled in beauty school and was a cosmetician in her 70’s and 80’s. Becky was the recipient of many kitchen perms. When she began playing school with her friends, and later the kids she babysat for, the future was clear. Working as a summer day camp counselor for the Special School District in St. Louis, MO led her into special education.
Becky attended Bradley University in Peoria, IL where she majored in Learning Disabilities and Social Emotional Learning Specialist. She was a middle school resource room teacher in Illinois and Colorado before kids arrived on the scene. After taking some time off to be home with her three boys, she joined the Hillside team. Becky is a member of the Academy of Orton Gillingham Practitioners as an Associate and is working under Karen Leopold to become a Certified member. This summer she began working towards a long held dream of getting her master degree. She is currently enrolled at the University of Northern Colorado in the Educational Leadership and Special Education Administration program.
A transplant from the MidWest, Becky enjoys the outdoor adventures of Boulder and Colorado. Paddleboarding was a passion this summer. If you can get her off the water, you will find her on the trails with her dogs, Wren and Penny. Becky is also an avid reader and is proud to say she has visited all of the Little House on the Prairie homesites. A St. Louis native, Becky is a die hard Cardinals baseball fan and lover of Gooey Butter Cake.
Jess is an Orton-Gillingham Associate-level certified educator with over four years of experience providing structured literacy intervention to students with dyslexia and other learning differences. In addition to running her private tutoring business, she has taught summer school and substituted at Hillside, so many students and families will already recognize her.
Christy is thrilled to be teaching social studies at Hillside this year and is eager to connect with students and families. A proud CU Buff, she holds a bachelor’s degree in History and a Master’s in Education Equity from Regis University. She looks forward to fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and confidence in her students.
Christy began her career in Jeffco Public Schools, teaching a range of courses, including American Government and Politics, Economics, and AP classes. She also designed and taught courses for non-native English speakers, helping students strengthen their language skills while engaging deeply with academic content.
She is deeply committed to ensuring every student has access to a high-quality education. Her experience spans pre-K classrooms, one-on-one intervention with neurodiverse learners, and academic coaching for students preparing for admission to top colleges. She takes a strengths-based, student-centered approach, integrating social-emotional learning so every child feels supported and empowered to thrive.
Outside the classroom, Christy is an avid reader and active book club member. She loves to travel and has set a personal goal to visit all seven continents and all 50 states.
Gretchen has always loved languages and has studied Latin, French, Spanish and Russian. This interest developed into a curiosity about language acquisition and language-based learning differences, and she was drawn to the field of Special Education. She spent a year working as an assistant in a middle school resource room, experienced the magic of helping students realize their potential, and knew she had found her calling.
Gretchen earned a Master’s in Special Education and has spent 18 years working as a special education teacher in Massachusetts and Colorado, with some time off in the middle to stay home with her son. She loves connecting with her students and providing them with the tools and strategies they need to become independent, confident learners.
Outside of the classroom, Gretchen can be found on her yoga mat or spending time outdoors with her husband, son and their chocolate lab. She enjoys running, hiking, and skiing.
Whitney is an experienced educator and artist who brings creativity, warmth, and a love of hands-on expression to everything she does! In addition to her art background, she is an experienced Orton-Gillingham educator, and has also taught at Hillside as both a summer school teacher and substitute.
Julie has loved literacy ever since her mom bought her “Little House on the Prairie” when she was in 3rd grade. Books and reading have shaped her life as a college student when she majored in English, as a mother reading the Harry Potter books aloud to her two children, and as a teacher at Hillside School.
Julie has an MA in Reading from UNC and enjoys working with students at Hillside and passing on her love of language to them. She loves teaching students the sounds and patterns of English and how to apply them to their reading and writing. For her, the biggest joy of teaching is seeing her students get hooked on reading and writing.
In her spare time Julie loves spending time in the mountains skiing or hiking, riding her bike around Boulder, and golfing as much as possible.
Kristin brings over 20 years of experience in education to her role as a Learning Specialist at Hillside School. She is passionate about helping students build strong skills in both literacy and mathematics—along with the confidence and curiosity to become lifelong learners.
Kristin earned her BA in Economics from the University of Illinois and her teaching credential from the University of California, Davis. Her path to education was not traditional, but once she began working with students, she knew she had found her calling. She taught for several years in California before moving to the East Coast, where she served as both a Classroom Teacher and a Literacy Interventionist in New Hampshire. After relocating to Colorado, Kristin worked as a Literacy Interventionist in BVSD and completed her Orton-Gillingham training.
Outside the classroom, Kristin enjoys reading, traveling, exploring local coffee shops, and going for walks. She and her husband share their home with two daughters (who visit when they’re in Colorado), two sweet dogs, and a curious cat who keeps life interesting.
Kristin is proud to join the Hillside School community and is excited for a successful year guiding students on their literacy and math journeys.
Demetria is a Colorado Native; growing up in the Park Hill area of Denver. She graduated from Denver East High School and went on to get her Bachelor’s degree from New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico, with a degree in Education. She has recently completed her Master’s in Education, with a Reading specialty from Regis University.
Demetria comes from a family of educators. She has been teaching for many years; her previous experiences have included 18+ years of teaching in the Denver metro area, in private, charter and public schools. Having discovered a passion for reading early on in life, and after watching loved ones struggle with reading, it became her life’s work to help others find the delight of exploring the world through books. Helping students build curiosity and confidence through humor, music, and hard work are all part of her educational philosophy, and feeds her love of learning and teaching. Recognizing the importance of reading and the impact it has on a person’s ability to learn and succeed throughout their life, drives Demetria to continue making a difference and striving to grow as an educator.
When Demetria is not at Hillside, she spends her time with her husband Ramón, and their twin German Shepherds, Mocha & Maro. Latte the cat holds down the fort at the family home in Lakewood, as the couple enjoys weekends in the beautiful Colorado mountains; attending summer live music festivals, and hiking as well as winter sports like snowshoeing and skiing. Most adventures are topped off with regular trips to relaxing, warm, soothing, hot springs around the state!
A proud Boulder native, Rachel was born at Boulder Community Hospital and attended Columbine Elementary, Centennial Middle School (which was a junior high then!), and both Boulder and Fairview High Schools. Along the way, she had some imaginative, knowledgeable, and just plain fun teachers who inspired her to love learning and to become a teacher herself. Since 1999, she has taught and mentored middle school and high school students from Kansas to Paris, France to New York City to Denver and back to Boulder.
She earned her B.S. at the University of Kansas in elementary/middle school education and special education, and her M.S. in special education from Bank Street College of Education in New York City. However, it was at her first teaching job at the Churchill School in New York City when she realized that teaching was really a craft that aligned perfectly with her strengths. Seeing her students flourish in their knowledge of themselves as learners and believe that they could be successful was so life-giving and inspiring that she knew she had found her career.
Teaching at Hillside, with its talented staff and remarkable students and families, has been a highlight in her career thus far. The vibrant Hillside environment inspires her to continue her own education to deepen her understanding of how the brain learns and functions and how to maximize its potential. Since 2017 she has added part-time administrative work at Hillside, focusing on developing a professional development program that shares our expertise in dyslexic learners with teachers in all settings. In her spare time, she enjoys digging in her garden, meeting friends for coffee, enjoying sumptuous meals at the panoply of delicious restaurants in the area, and being a dance mom for her two sweet girls.
Miguel holds a master’s degree in elementary education and has taught in diverse settings both in the U.S. and abroad. Recently trained in Orton-Gillingham, he is eager to apply this approach to his science instruction, designing engaging, hands-on lessons that spark curiosity and support the needs of students with dyslexia.
Shannon is thrilled to be teaching at Hillside this year! After frequently substitute teaching at Hillside from 2019-2022, and teaching summer school for the past 2 summers, Shannon can’t wait to get started with her own class. Since she’s spent so much time at Hillside over the past 3 school years, she’s experienced different teaching styles and techniques, and she looks forward to implementing those into her own classroom. Shannon is so grateful to be a part of the Hillside community, where she can tailor her curriculum to the specific needs of the individual students in her classroom!
Teaching students with learning differences is a personal mission for Shannon. All 3 of Shannon’s children have dyslexia. Her twin girls (now 12 years old) were diagnosed with dyslexia in 2nd grade. After this discovery, Shannon decided to devote whatever spare time she could find to learning about dyslexia. She became a Barton Reading and Spelling tutor (with her son, now 9 years old, as her first student) and continues to tutor privately today. Shannon’s core objectives are to create a comfortable and compassionate environment for students to learn, to encourage self advocacy in the classroom, and above all, to build confidence in students’ academic skills, which she believes is an important key to their success.
Shannon is a native of Rochester, NY. She attended SUNY Geneseo where she received her BA in psychology. Shannon moved to Boulder, CO in 2000 and has been living out west ever since (including a 7-year stint in Bozeman, MT). She currently lives in Lafayette, CO with her husband, three children, and their rescue mutt, Raven. Shannon enjoys reading, yoga, hiking, traveling, cooking, gardening and spending time with family and friends.
Katherine@hillsidelearning.org
Katherine learned about this special learning environment while working as a tutor with students who need support with reading and writing. She has completed three Orton Gillingham trainings and is working toward certification.
Katherine’s interest in education began after college when she worked as a children’s ski instructor in Telluride, CO. She loved the enjoyment that the children experienced when they felt confident and were willing to try new things, even if it was challenging. She decided to follow her heart and went to CU, Boulder, where she earned her Teacher Certification in Elementary Education and a Masters Degree in Teaching English as a Second Language. She has been an elementary classroom teacher in public schools for 25 years. Katherine believes that discovering each child’s unique interests, personality, and strengths is an important part of meeting them where they are and guiding them where they need to grow. Equally important is creating an inclusive, positive and encouraging community that allows students to become successful and confident learners.
Katherine is a Colorado native and she still continues to enjoy hiking, biking, skiing, snowshoeing and gardening. Her yard is an oasis for curling up with a book. She lives in Boulder with her three canine companions.