Our Team

[et_pb_popup_builder title=”Jodie Leatherman” popup_source=”content_editor” trigger_condition=”button” trigger_button_text=”Interim Head of School” trigger_button_align=”left” trigger_button_text_colour=”#ffffff” modal_style=”4″ admin_label=”Modal: Jodie” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Jodie Leatherman joined our staff in 2024, bringing eighteen years of experience in education in both the elementary level and in special education. Jodie has also held the role of IB curriculum coordinator and most recently served as assistant principal at Bradley International School. Jodie holds a master’s degree in education with an elementary education endorsement and special education endorsement. In addition, she holds a Colorado teaching license and Colorado principal authorization. Jodie brings expertise in learning differences as well as extensive experience as a teacher coach and mentor. Jodie enjoys spending time in the mountains enjoying outdoor activities with her family (including a Mack alum and a current Mack student). She loves to play in the snow by skiing and to enjoy the warm sunshine by playing tennis. Her family enjoys traveling and spoiling a very cute pup![/et_pb_popup_builder]

[et_pb_popup_builder title=”Annie Slothower” popup_source=”content_editor” trigger_condition=”button” trigger_button_text=”Associate Head of School” trigger_button_align=”left” trigger_button_text_colour=”#ffffff” modal_style=”4″ admin_label=”Modal: Annie” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Annie Slothower has been part of the Mackintosh Academy community since 2015. Annie is a parent of two Mack alums who graduated in 2021 and 2024. She also served as a member of the Board of Trustees for six years. In addition to her deep understanding of and commitment to Mack’s mission, Annie brings a professional background in development and marketing to this position. She earned her undergraduate degrees in business administration and communication and holds a master’s degree in nonprofit management. Knowing firsthand the transformational power that is possible when finding the right environment to support a child’s unique learning profile, Annie could not be more grateful for the opportunity to partner with families and students who will benefit from Mack’s caring culture and gifted programming. [/et_pb_popup_builder]

[et_pb_popup_builder title=”Lara Pausback” popup_source=”content_editor” trigger_condition=”button” trigger_button_text=”Director of Instruction, Asst. Head of School – Academics” trigger_button_align=”left” trigger_button_text_colour=”#ffffff” modal_style=”4″ admin_label=”Modal: Lara” disabled_on=”on|on|on” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ disabled=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]Lara Pausback holds both a Colorado teaching license and a Colorado Reading Teacher license. She earned her bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Colorado Boulder and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Colorado Denver. Additionally, she is trained in the Orton-Gillingham reading approach. Ms. Pausback has worked in a variety of teaching environments, including public and private settings, and has held roles ranging from reading intervention and gifted enrichment to elementary classroom teacher before joining Mackintosh Academy.[/et_pb_popup_builder]

[et_pb_popup_builder title=”Maria Cardona” popup_source=”content_editor” trigger_condition=”button” trigger_button_text=”World Languages Teacher” trigger_button_align=”left” trigger_button_text_colour=”#ffffff” modal_style=”4″ admin_label=”Modal: Maria” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Maria Cardona completed her Social Communication degree from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia and has taught in Ohio and in the Cherry Creek School District in Colorado. Maria worked for Cherry Creek Schools both in the classroom and as a translator and interpreter. She is very passionate about languages and Hispanic/Latino cultures and loves education. Always pursuing new challenges, Maria has taught Spanish to our students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, and is currently working with our third through eighth graders. Maria has been part of the Mackintosh Academy community since 2010. Maria loves exploring Colorado and the Rocky Mountains. [/et_pb_popup_builder]

[et_pb_popup_builder title=”Sara Carlson” popup_source=”content_editor” trigger_condition=”button” trigger_button_text=”Pre-K/Kindergarten Lead Teacher” trigger_button_align=”left” trigger_button_text_colour=”#ffffff” modal_style=”4″ admin_label=”Modal: Sara Carlson” disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Sara brings nearly a decade of experience in early childhood education and a deep passion for supporting the social and emotional growth of young learners. She holds a B.A. in Psychology and earned her Colorado Early Childhood Education certificate in 2018. Since 2016, Sara has worked across both early childhood education and behavioral health settings, weaving trauma-informed, developmentally responsive practices into the heart of her teaching. She is currently pursuing her M.A. in Couples and Family Therapy at CU Denver, deepening her understanding of family systems and child development. Outside the classroom, Sara enjoys creating art, reading, and tending to her garden. [/et_pb_popup_builder]

[et_pb_popup_builder title=”Meaghan Cheeke” popup_source=”content_editor” trigger_condition=”button” trigger_button_text=”Algebra 2 Teacher” trigger_button_align=”left” trigger_button_text_colour=”#ffffff” modal_style=”4″ admin_label=”Modal: Meaghan Cheeke” disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Meaghan has worked in mathematics education for more than 20 years, teaching Algebra through Calculus in a variety of settings. She began her career in her home state of Connecticut, where she earned her teaching degree. After moving to Colorado in 2004, Meghan earned her Master’s Degree in Mathematics with a Teaching Emphasis from the University of Northern Colorado. She currently splits her time between teaching Algebra 2 at Mackintosh Academy and teaching courses at the University of Colorado, Denver campus. When Meaghan is not working, she has the privilege of spending time with her husband, their two children (8 & 10 years old), and two dogs. Meaghan’s passion for teaching runs so deep that she also spends her spare time teaching dance fitness and strength classes at Vasa Fitness.
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[et_pb_popup_builder title=”Katie Christensen” popup_source=”content_editor” trigger_condition=”button” trigger_button_text=”Director of Operations & Marketing” trigger_button_align=”left” trigger_button_text_colour=”#ffffff” modal_style=”4″ admin_label=”Modal: Katie” disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”]While Katie is an attorney by training, she has spent the last 15 years serving in a variety of administrative roles in small independent schools. She enjoys supporting schools through periods of change and most recently served as the Interim Head of School at Mackintosh Academy Boulder following an unexpected leadership transition. She has a strong belief in the Mackintosh mission and is excited to support the school with operations and marketing this year in a part-time capacity. Katie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Harvard College and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. Katie lives in Evergreen with her husband of 28 years and they enjoy a revolving door of visits from their three children, who are in various stages of launching into adulthood. [/et_pb_popup_builder]

[et_pb_popup_builder title=”Jess Dauchy” popup_source=”content_editor” trigger_condition=”button” trigger_button_text=”Finance Manager” trigger_button_align=”left” trigger_button_text_colour=”#ffffff” modal_style=”4″ admin_label=”Modal: Jess” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Jess Dauchy joined Mackintosh Academy in July 2024 as finance manager through CFO Selections, a finance and business consulting firm. Jess started her professional career as a high school math teacher, teaching in public, independent, and charter schools. A self-described “cheerful math nerd,” Jess was struck by the need for financial and operational expertise in nonprofit and school settings, and left teaching to obtain a Master of Business Administration from the University of Colorado. For the past fifteen years, Jess has served as CFO, COO, and similar roles with a variety of nonprofit organizations, including serving as CFO for Mack Boulder. Outside of work, Jess is an adventurer at heart who is often outside skiing, climbing, hiking with her husband and dog, and more recently, learning how to mountain bike. [/et_pb_popup_builder]

[et_pb_popup_builder title=”Grace Garrow” popup_source=”content_editor” trigger_condition=”button” trigger_button_text=”Third/Fourth Grade Teacher” trigger_button_align=”left” trigger_button_text_colour=”#ffffff” modal_style=”4″ admin_label=”Modal: Grace” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Grace Garrow joined our team in 2024. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education with additional certification in early literacy. Grace has taught in a wide variety of K-12 schools both in the states and Ireland. Most recently, Grace worked at Kipp Northeast Elementary as a Third grade teacher as well as an executive in the school’s early literacy initiative committee. Grace has a passion for empowerment and was a head coach for Girls on the Run which inspires individuals of all abilities to discover, build and grow their self-confidence. Originally from St.Louis, Grace loves watching sports, traveling and experiencing new cultures. [/et_pb_popup_builder]

[et_pb_popup_builder title=”Kelly Kates” popup_source=”content_editor” trigger_condition=”button” trigger_button_text=”Performing Arts Teacher” trigger_button_align=”left” trigger_button_text_colour=”#ffffff” modal_style=”4″ admin_label=”Modal: Kelly” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Kelly Kates was born in Montreal, Canada and raised in Nigeria and Northern British Columbia. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy from Sam Houston State University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Denver. In addition to her teaching role at Mackintosh, Kelly serves as the Service Learning Coordinator, sharing her deep commitment to community engagement with students.
Kelly brings over two decades of experience as a performer, educator, and counselor. She spent ten years at Options Alternative High School, where she taught, provided counseling services and led the drama, dance, and choral activities. A seasoned actress, director and choreographer, Kelly has worked extensively in Denver’s performing arts scene, earning recognition from the Denver Post and the Colorado Theatre Guild for her contributions.
She is passionate about making the arts accessible to young people and founded the children’s program at Town Hall Arts Center in Littleton. Prior to joining Mackintosh, she taught musical theater and tap at Centennial Academy of Fine Arts Education and led the drama enrichment program at Wilder Elementary.
Kelly has also presented at the Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented Conference, sharing her expertise in a session titled “The Power of Play in Helping with Anxiety and Perfectionism.”
Outside the classroom, Kelly enjoys international travel with her family and has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in both El Salvador and Canada. She lives in Littleton with her husband and their two daughters, who share her love of dance.[/et_pb_popup_builder]

[et_pb_popup_builder title=”Lisa Lewis” popup_source=”content_editor” trigger_condition=”button” trigger_button_text=”Third/Fourth Grade Teacher” trigger_button_align=”left” trigger_button_text_colour=”#ffffff” modal_style=”4″ admin_label=”Modal: Lisa” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Lisa Lewis earned her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Colorado Boulder and has worked as a paraprofessional in public schools since 2013. She recently received her teaching degree from the University of Colorado Denver. Ms. Lewis is trained in the Orton Gillingham instructional method and has worked with youngsters all her life. She was attracted to Mackintosh for its mission-driven approach to working with gifted students. Lisa loves fostering animals, reading, gardening, and raising her son.[/et_pb_popup_builder]

[et_pb_popup_builder title=”Delaney Monroe” popup_source=”content_editor” trigger_condition=”button” trigger_button_text=”Visual Arts & Design” trigger_button_align=”left” trigger_button_text_colour=”#ffffff” modal_style=”4″ admin_label=”Modal: Delaney” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Delaney Monroe started her teaching career after college by leading after-school inquiry-based science lessons for mixed-age groups. She loved creating the environment and watching her students make discoveries on their own. Her joy in educating her students led to her earning a Colorado K-6 teaching license through the Friends’ School of Boulder in 2014. After teaching in 1st and 5th grade classrooms for five years, Delaney decided to deepen her craft. She returned to school in 2020 studying art and added the K-12 Visual Arts endorsement to her teaching license. When not teaching, Delaney can be found hiking or skiing in our beautiful mountains. Or maybe she’s sitting with her cats, Willow and Buttercup, reading novels, writing poetry, and creating art. [/et_pb_popup_builder]

[et_pb_popup_builder title=”Josh Onderdonk” popup_source=”content_editor” trigger_condition=”button” trigger_button_text=”Physical and Health Education Teacher” trigger_button_align=”left” trigger_button_text_colour=”#ffffff” modal_style=”4″ admin_label=”Modal: Josh” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Josh Onderdonk is a licensed Physical and Health Education teacher in the state of Colorado. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Canisius University in Buffalo, New York, and shortly after graduation, joined the Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest. Through this program, Josh served at St. Labre Indian School in Ashland, Montana, supporting students from the Crow and Northern Cheyenne reservations.

Following his year of service, Josh remained at St. Labre for three additional years as a Physical and Health Education teacher. He then moved to South Bend, Indiana (Go Irish!), where he spent five years teaching K–5 Physical Education at Success Academy Charter School.

Now entering his fifth year at Mackintosh, Josh brings over a decade of experience and a passion for holistic student development. Outside the classroom, he enjoys all things active—whether it’s hiking in the mountains with his wife, Sam, or playing a round of golf whenever he can. At home, they share life with two large-breed dogs and two cats.[/et_pb_popup_builder]

[et_pb_popup_builder title=”Joe Pausback” popup_source=”content_editor” trigger_condition=”button” trigger_button_text=”Eighth Grade Homeroom and MYP Science” trigger_button_align=”left” trigger_button_text_colour=”#ffffff” modal_style=”4″ admin_label=”Modal: Joe” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Joe Pausback, known affectionately as “Mr. P,” began teaching at Mackintosh in 1998. He received an undergraduate degree in anthropology and history from the University of Colorado Boulder. After a brief career as a field archaeologist in Alaska and New Mexico, he returned to school and earned a secondary social studies license from Fort Lewis College. He later earned a master’s degree in elementary education from the University of Colorado Denver. His master’s thesis was a justification for teaching the concept of randomness to upper elementary students as part of their studies of statistics. Additionally, apropos of nothing, he has an unusual affinity for the Oxford comma. Mr. Pausback is passionate about his family and outdoor recreation. He is a very enthusiastic river-runner, mountain biker, telemark skier, reader, guitarist, wood worker, and traveler. [/et_pb_popup_builder]

[et_pb_popup_builder title=”Sarah Schultz” popup_source=”content_editor” trigger_condition=”button” trigger_button_text=”First/Second Grade Teacher and Pre-K/Kindergarten Associate Teacher” trigger_button_align=”left” trigger_button_text_colour=”#ffffff” modal_style=”4″ admin_label=”Modal: Sarah” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Sarah Schultz joined the Mackintosh team as a parent in 2018 and as office manager in 2019. In 2023, she joined our teaching staff as a second grade teacher. Sarah holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Colorado College and a master’s degree in education policy from the University of Colorado School of Education. She is currently enrolled in a graduate-level teacher preparation program through the Friends School in Boulder. Prior to coming to Mackintosh, she was the Director of International Programs at Colorado College, where she advised students interested in study abroad, worked with faculty to design new overseas programs, and provided support to the international students on campus. She has two children, one of whom is a middle school student at Mackintosh Academy. She loves reading, baking, listening to podcasts, and maintaining her Wordle streak.[/et_pb_popup_builder]

[et_pb_popup_builder title=”Samantha Walker” popup_source=”content_editor” trigger_condition=”button” trigger_button_text=”Pre-K/Kindergarten Teacher” trigger_button_align=”left” trigger_button_text_colour=”#ffffff” modal_style=”4″ admin_label=”Modal: Samantha” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Sam Walker holds an Alternative Teacher License with an endorsement in elementary education from the University of Colorado Denver’s Aspire to Teach program. She has prior experience as a Response to Intervention (RtI) instructional assistant with additional duties in progress monitoring and lesson planning as well supervising children throughout the school day. Sam earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Colorado State University. Sam enjoys crafting of all kinds. She is an avid Colorado Avalanche fan and gets to as many games as possible! She and her family are movie buffs; her favorite genre is psychological thrillers. Sam practices Tae Kwon Do and is an active kickboxer.[/et_pb_popup_builder]

[et_pb_popup_builder title=”Paige Wohlert” popup_source=”content_editor” trigger_condition=”button” trigger_button_text=”Front Office Manager and Executive Assistant” trigger_button_align=”left” trigger_button_text_colour=”#ffffff” modal_style=”4″ admin_label=”Modal: Paige” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Paige Wohlert handles everything from managing an endless influx of packages to greeting campus visitors to providing care for kids with ouchies or sniffles! Paige joined Mackintosh in the fall of 2023; she loves the school’s vision of nurturing each child’s unique natural brilliance and looks forward to supporting both parents and children in her role. Paige holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Colorado State University. An avid cook, she worked for Williams Sonoma for many years. She also managed the office for Anderson Greenscapes, a local landscaping firm. Paige and her husband are parents of three children and a Great Pyrenees dog named Petal. In her spare time, Paige enjoys playing tennis, creating, reading and hiking. [/et_pb_popup_builder]

[et_pb_popup_builder title=”Anne Wolf” popup_source=”content_editor” trigger_condition=”button” trigger_button_text=”Seventh Grade Homeroom, MYP Language and Literature, Fifth-Eighth Grade Learning Specialist” trigger_button_align=”left” modal_style=”4″ admin_label=”Modal: Anne” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Anne Wolf is our Middle Years Programme Language and Literature Teacher, and previously served as MYP Learning Specialist, collaborating with our team in serving the needs of our gifted and twice-exceptional students. Anne has over 30 years of experience in gifted education, both in the classroom and in leadership roles. She earned her Master of Science in Education at the University of Southern California and her undergraduate degree at Penn State. Prior roles include Coordinator of Gifted Education in Adams 12 School District, Associate Director of Curriculum at the Ricks Center for Gifted Children in Denver, and a wide variety of Gifted and Talented roles in both Colorado Springs 11 and Douglas County School Districts. She has been involved in Future Problem Solving for many years, and has been the Colorado Affiliate Director for the last ten. In her spare time, Anne enjoys creating textiles and dabbling in textile arts, kayaking, photography, and reading. [/et_pb_popup_builder]