Staff

Hellen Boyer French is a native of Peru. She moved to Colorado 20 years ago and graduated from the University of Colorado - Boulder with a degree in Linguistics and Italian. Hellen has a passion for education and languages, and speaks Spanish and Italian fluently. When not at work, she enjoys befriending dogs and exploring new places and ideas.

Mamie Howard serves as the K-8 Assistant Principal at Vega. Her motto is "change students' trajectories" and she is passionate about ensuring all students have access to a great education. She earned her B.A. in Sociology from Pacific Lutheran University then her Master's degree in Educational Leadership from Western Governors University in 2020. Prior to coming to Vega, she taught middle school math and was an instructional coach for Math and Social Studies. Mamie is a current BES Leaders for Emerging Networks of Schools cohort member and a Member of Phi Kappa Delta (AES chapter) an education honors society. In her free time, she enjoys playing games, spending time with her family, and interpreting songs into sign language.

Gabrielle Mahon graduated from the University of Connecticut with a BA in Human Rights in 2012. Since then, she has had the pleasure of teaching globally and locally before finding her home at Vega. She earned her MA from Relay, Graduate School of Education in 2017, and is a current BES Leaders for Emerging Networks of Schools cohort member. She is also the Vice President for Friends of Pioneers, a non-profit dedicated to supporting teacher development in the West Bank of Palestine.

Kathryn Mullins is the Founder and Executive Director of Vega Collegiate Academy. She is an educator with ten years of experience in a variety of urban school settings, Ms. Mullins has experience teaching elementary, middle, and high school, in both general and special education settings, in Brooklyn, New York City, Harlem, the Bronx, North Carolina, and Chicago. Ms. Mullins was selected as New Teacher of the Year, and Teacher of the Year while in North Carolina and has been featured in Doug Lemov's Teach Like a Champion training series, in which thousands of educators participate every year. In 2015, Ms. Mullins earned a Fellowship with Building Excellent Schools, a highly selective Fellowship that trains school leaders to lead charter schools in high-need urban neighborhoods across the country. Ms. Mullins holds a BM from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University - Bloomington, and a MA with Distinction from Relay, Graduate School of Education.

Jessica Racine serves as the K-8 Principal at Vega. She is passionate about providing a high-quality education experience to all students. She earned her Master's degree in Educational Leadership and Policy with a Principal endorsement at Boston College in 2016. Previously, she taught high school math and science. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening and playing basketball.

Dena Soffer is an ELA Coach and Consultant for Grades 5-8. Before coming to Vega, she was a Curriculum Specialist at Pearson, leading professional development for teachers all over New York City. She was previously Dean of Curriculum and Instruction and the founding 5th Grade Reading Teacher at Excellence Girls Middle Academy. She began her career in education ten years ago, teaching 5th Grade Science at Brooklyn East Collegiate as a Teach For America Corps Member. Dena graduated Magna Cum Laude from Georgetown University, and went on to earn her Masters in Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education, graduating with distinction. She enjoys reading, writing, and going for walks with her daughter.

Zoe Cormier was born and raised in Massachusetts. She attended the University of Massachusetts, where she studied Psychology and Education. After graduating from UMass, she spent a year working in an elementary classroom with City Year Boston, which is where she learned that she has a strong passion for teaching. She then worked at a charter school in Boston for two years while obtaining her master's degree at Boston University, and is now incredibly excited to be joining the Vega team! In her free time, she loves to read, spend time outdoors, and travel to new places.

Michelle Gaedke teaches 5th and 6th grade science at Vega. She is originally from Detroit, Michigan and attended Michigan Technological University. There, she received a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and Biological Sciences. Michelle worked in the automotive industry as a Manufacturing Engineer for a few years before moving to Colorado to teach. She is inspired by students who take passion in project-based learning and inquiry.

Jen Grover is the first grade teacher at Vega Collegiate Academy. Going into her sixth year as a primary teacher and her third year in first grade. She graduated from the University of Oregon before moving to Nashville where she taught with Teach for America and got her masters in education from Lipscomb University. She’s excited to be joining the staff at Vega to support all students and their path to success. She recently got married and moved to the Denver area. In her free time she loves to travel, hike with her dog Maddie and cheer on the Oregon Ducks!

Veronica McCarthy teaches 5th Grade Math, Reading, and Writing at Vega Collegiate Academy. She attended Syracuse University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Education Policy Studies and Writing. She went on to work for the Massachusetts Department of Education, then she worked for Denver Public Schools as a 4th and 5th Grade Math Interventionist, and finally in 2018, Veronica was hired at Vega Collegiate Academy. She loves working with 5th graders, and she especially loves taking her kiddos on trips to the movies!

Charlie Milianti is a 7th and 8th grade first year teacher at Vega this year. They are originally from Illinois, where their family still lives. They studied Religion and Spanish at Kalamazoo College in Michigan and graduated in 2018. They have been living in Denver for the last two years and are looking forward to staying and exploring more of Colorado this year! In their free time, Charlie loves to make creative meals or desserts with their roommate, go on walks, and read new books.

Mari Ordaz was born in California and raised in Michoacan, Mexico where she lived for 15 years. After that, she lived across the United States including California, Illinois, Arkansas, and finally Colorado. She is the proud mother of three awesome children, two of whom attend Vega. She loves working at Vega where she is surrounded by so many beautiful scholars who give so much love, and being close to her children. She loves her students and her cats.

Maggie Pothier teaches 3rd grade ELA and Special Education at Vega Collegiate Academy. She grew up in Maryland right outside of Washington D.C. She graduated from Boston College in 2018 with a bachelors degree in Applied Psychology and Human Development. After college she spent a year working in Denver Public School as a City Year Americorps member in a 4th grade classroom. She likes spending time outside and cooking for her friends. She is very excited to get back into the classroom and join the Vega community!

Ivanna Ramos is a 7th grade Reading, Writing, and Science teacher at Vega Collegiate Academy. Her passion has always been in education and working with children. She earned her bachelor's of arts degree in Education at University of New Mexico. She taught 6th and 8th grade ELA in Albuquerque for eight years before moving to Colorado. Ivanna was born and raised in the Philippines and moved to New Mexico when she was 16. On her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, creating art, and being outdoors.

Allegra Reiber teaches 8th grade math. She holds a BA in Mathematics from Northwestern University and MS in Mathematics from Notre Dame. Allegra is from Ohio and came to Denver in 2007 to teach at the University of Denver. While teaching college, she developed interests in math education and began studies at Morgridge College of Education, focusing on equity and math identity. Allegra is fascinated by how students think about situations involving numbers, quantities, and relationships. She is honored to walk with your students as they express their mathematical voice. She enjoys watching movies with her husband and family, singing too loudly, and playing board games.

Anne is a licensed professional counselor. Her early clinical experience was spent serving children and families who experience traumatic stress and adversity. More recently she worked as a school partner, training and coaching school personnel on how best to establish a trauma responsive school environment. She loves this work, her dog, and making food for people.

Jennifer Udema is the first grade teacher at Vega Collegiate Academy and has been with the school since its founding year. She loves teaching the young students at Vega because they are so excited about learning! Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Science from Metropolitan State University and has been in our beautiful state her entire life. In addition to education, she has a passion for adventure, animals, and reading.

Serina Vue teaches 5th and 6th grade Social Studies along with Special Education at Vega. Although originally from West St. Paul, MN, Serina was drawn to mountains and so went out west to Walla Walla, WA where she earned her bachelor's in Religious Studies from Whitman College. There, she realized her passion for teaching and decided to see some new mountains, which led her to Colorado. In her free time, Serina can be found listening to music, singing, and/or reading a book. Serina is so excited to get to know, and work with the students at Vega!

Elizabeth Weaver is the first kindergarten teacher at Vega Collegiate Academy. She has been in education for nine years, as a middle school teacher, instructional coach, and operations leader. Elizabeth graduated from the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill before moving to Atlanta to teach middle school history with Teach for America while earning her Master's Degree at Georgia State University. After three years in Atlanta, she moved to Brooklyn and was the founding sixth grade history teacher at an all girls middle school with Uncommon Schools. After six years in Brooklyn, Elizabeth moved to Denver this summer and is thrilled to start a new chapter at Vega teaching Kindergarten! In her free time, Elizabeth enjoys running, listening to audiobooks, and almost anything outside.

Tirzha was born and raised in the Denver and Aurora area, and still lives not far from Vega with her husband and daughter. Always a lover of science and teaching, she taught at a science summer camp while earning a BA and MA from the University of Colorado Denver. Although she taught for a short time at UCD and Metropolitan State University, Tirzha is most passionate about middle schoolers and is so happy to be part of the Vega family. Known by students as Mrs. Z, she teaches middle school science and special education.

Rosalba was born in Aguas Calientes, Mexico and moved to Texas, then Colorado about 10 years ago. Three of her four children attend Vega and love it! Rosalba likes to cook and listen to music and loves a strong cup of coffee.

Ms. Baez is a mom of three at Vega and has worked in education for several years. She enjoys spending time with her family and making the most of every day. Ms. Baez is excited to be on the Vega team and looks forward to growing and learning every day.

Ms. DeThomas is originally from Rhode Island and has worked with children for over 19 years in various settings. She graduated from Rhode Island College in 2007 with a Degree in Sociology/Criminal Justice. In her spare time she loves to explore Colorado and spend time with her family.

Lah Gay Moo is originally from Burma/Myanmar. She grew up in a refugee camp in Thailand. She speaks Karen, Burmese, and English. She immigrated to the US in 2015 and believes that education is one of the most important parts of life. She believes that education is the key to success, which is why she works at Vega. When she has free time, she enjoys visiting with her friends.

Kaylie is a native of Minnesota where she went to the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities for her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She moved to Colorado in 2018. She has nursing experience at Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, CO on a Surgical Cardiac unit. She loves to work with children, as to why she became a School Nurse at Vega. When not working, she loves to do yoga and workout classes, wake surf on the lakes in MN, and explore Colorado.

Dominiqueka Ruffin was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. She is the mother of two sons who attend Vega Collegiate Academy. She loves to spend time with family and cook. She is excited to be a part of the Vega Family and look forward to making great memories with her team.

Keith Shaffer is Vega's Program Coordinator and Transportation Director. Mr. Shaffer grew up in Aurora and graduated from Aurora Central in 1998. He holds a BA in History and is currently working on his Masters in Nonprofit Management. He believes that every child deserves equity in education and works at Vega to help close the academic gap wherever and however he can. He lives in Denver with his fiancee and his 7 year old son. He is also a novelist, having written four novels, one of which is published.

Ms. Walker grew up in Santa Fe, New Mexico, before moving to Denver to attend Metropolitan State University- where she graduated with her Bachelor's of Science in Environmental Science. She has been working with students for 10 years, first as an afterschool program coordinator before moving to teaching Middle School Science. This is her first year teaching elementary, and so far she loves it! In her free time, she does Krav Maga, enjoys cooking, and spending time with her family and pets.