Moving across town to Cole HS, we’re excited to meet the awesome Center Program staff who create a warm and nurturing environment in the Dragon’s Lair. Now is your opportunity to meet this awesome group, that includes both Center Program staff as well as social workers- Megan Schierbeck, Sue Wolf, Amanda Molinar, Riley Peiker, Sarah Goldstein, Audrey Harriger, Kadell Frangas, and Alex Wirth.
Megan Schierbeck, Center Program Lead
Hometown: Peoria, IL
Favorite Part of the Job: My team & my students. The people are nothing short of incredible.
Why is special education important?: I feel as though some of the most incredible students belong to center programs; they are amazingly unique and often have the best sense of humor. I really live for a good sense of humor.
Favorite Quarantine Treat: Crumbl Cookies--delivered warm
Funniest thing a student has said lately: I've recently been coined, "Megan Theeeee Schierbeck" which cracks me up
Self Care Practices of Choice: Swimming, Sleeping, lighting several candles & watching a favorite show or movie, talking
Sue Wolf, CP Support Specialist
Hometown: Wisconsin
Favorite Part of the Job: Being with our students and staff.
Why Special Education is Important: All children deserve the right to an education and access to whatever helps them do so.
Great Center Program Moments: Seeing the students start believing in themselves and owning their education. To watch them put the value on themselves that they deserve.
Self-care practices of choice: Long walks, playing games and hanging with the family
Favorite Quarantine Treat: POTATO CHIPS
Fun activity you’ve recently done in Center Programs: We've managed to spend time playing games with one another in a virtual space, which has kept us competitive and connected
Amanda Molinar, CP Support Specialist
Hometown: Born in Alpine, Texas but raised in Swansea, CO
Favorite Part of the Job: I love being able to be a part of both worlds. Just a taste of the actual education part and Ops part.
Why are Center Programs important? Our Dragon's Lair is important to me because I had built a relationship with these students outside of the center and saw how hard they tried and how unique they all are! I saw how previous adults had failed them and I want them to not be just another student getting pushed through or away!
Favorite Quarantine Treat: Starbucks, donuts, cake
Funniest thing a student has said: Ms. Amanda is little but she's spicy
Self-Care Practices of Choice: I like to color, or drive by myself
Favorite Vacation Spot: I really enjoy Vegas but would love to go to a beach location
Riley Peiker, CP Support Specialist
Hometown: Denver, CO
Favorite Part of the Job: Interacting with the kids
What Brought You To This Work? I feel that I was drawn to special education because I could have used the same attention when I was in HS.
Favorite Quarantine Treat: Ice cream
Fun activity you’ve recently done in Center Programs: Cooking
Currently Watching: The Great British Baking Show
Currently Reading: Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore
Sarah Goldstein, Social Worker
Hometown: Bozeman, Montana
Favorite Part of the Job: Helping students realize their potential and hanging out with the kiddos!
Why Center Programs are Important: In my experience students in the center programs have often been dealt a really difficult set of cards- they deserve people who are going to meet them where they are and support them. These students have always warmed my heart and always keep me laughing.
Favorite Quarantine Treat: Literally any baked good
Self-Care Practices of Choice: Going for walks, talking to supportive people, being creative
Favorite Quarantine Activity: Walks with my dog and partner and making candles
Favorite Vacation Spot: Australia
Audrey Harriger, Social Worker
Hometown: Louisville, CO
Favorite Part of the Job: Building relationships with students and learning all the new slang & Tik Tok dances from the kids.
Why Center Programs are Important: Students in special education are some of the most resilient, inspiring kiddos I've ever worked with. I am constantly amazed by their ability to defy stereotypes & and face adversity head-on. Students in special education face so many systemic challenges, and because of this, they deserve adults who will advocate and truly see them.
Favorite Quarantine Treat: Chocolate covered almonds
Self-Care Practices of Choice: Coaching girls' basketball at Manual
Favorite Books: Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson & Untamed by Glennon Doyle
Currently Watching: Schitt’s Creek
Kadell Frangas, AN Center Social Worker
Hometown: Denver, CO
Favorite Part of the Job: Our students and families are really amazing. I have also had exceptional support from Ms. Schierbeck, my colleagues and DSST Admin.
Why Center Programs are Important: I think they offer a great platform for support for our students in their pursuit of education and for pursuing general education goals and standard school activities. Ms. Schierbeck is a strong advocate for our students and I am proud to work for her.
Favorite Quarantine Treat: Pollo con chile y nopales
Currently Reading: Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
Funniest Thing a Student Has Said: A student asked me if the creators of the show Those Who Can’t (a comedy about teachers who do dorky stuff) got material from watching me
Favorite Vacation Spot: Cleveland- I went to school there
Alex Wirth, Social Worker
Hometown: Wisconsin
Favorite Part of the Job: Seeing the kids everyday - witnessing their growth and maturity through tough times and successes - being able to celebrate their accomplishments with them
Why Center Programs are Important: We are fighting for equity and access in education for some of the most vulnerable students (like those with disabilities) which they deserve and it's important to show up everyday consistently and provide them with the education they deserve and show them unconditional acceptance.
Favorite Quarantine Treat: Donuts - I need to stop following so many bakeries on Insta
Recent Favorite Read: I read The Girl With the Louding Voice by Abi Dare last summer (actually listened on audio) and loved it
Funniest Thing a Student Has Said: I was talking to a student about the pandemic and what next year might look like and I told him that we will likely be wearing masks for a while, his response was, "that's okay miss, then I can't smell the teacher's coffee breath"
Favorite Vacation Spot: Portugal (the Algarve coast) was incredible