Mrs. Hanna - Mathematics
I am excited about starting a new school year and getting to know you. Here are a few tidbits about me... I grew up in Dubuque, Iowa, and graduated from the University of Northern Iowa, before moving to Minnesota to teach in the Twin Cities. While there, I earned my Master’s degree from the University of Minnesota. I then moved to Colorado (to escape those long winters!), teaching sixth grade in Douglas County for several years before moving to Slavens to be closer to home. I’ve been at Slavens since its first year as a full K-8 school, and I love being here! It’s been thrilling to see the changes over these past 20 years, not only in the middle school, but in the entire school as well. I remember when Mr. Weiss would tell us of his dream to have a larger gym, and I would think, “Yeah, right, like that will ever happen!” That’ll teach me to scoff at anyone’s dream!
My husband, Grant, and I have a son and daughter, who, as of this spring, are both college graduates and employed in Denver! Wow, how did that happen so quickly! They were just 2 and 5 when I started at Slavens! Andrew graduated from CU Boulder, while younger sister Haley graduated from CSU. For the first time in over 26 years, we are not sharing our home with any furry four-legged friends. Sadly, in July, we lost our 13-year-old yellow lab, Lizzy. Our daughter is really pushing us to replace that empty spot in the family, but we'll see! In addition to teaching, I love spending time with family and friends, practicing yoga, cheering for the Rockies (this season they were reminding me all too much of the old Cubbies I was so fond of growing up in the Midwest!), and being active in the great Colorado outdoors.
I am excited about starting a new school year and getting to know you. Here are a few tidbits about me... I grew up in Dubuque, Iowa, and graduated from the University of Northern Iowa, before moving to Minnesota to teach in the Twin Cities. While there, I earned my Master’s degree from the University of Minnesota. I then moved to Colorado (to escape those long winters!), teaching sixth grade in Douglas County for several years before moving to Slavens to be closer to home. I’ve been at Slavens since its first year as a full K-8 school, and I love being here! It’s been thrilling to see the changes over these past 20 years, not only in the middle school, but in the entire school as well. I remember when Mr. Weiss would tell us of his dream to have a larger gym, and I would think, “Yeah, right, like that will ever happen!” That’ll teach me to scoff at anyone’s dream!
My husband, Grant, and I have a son and daughter, who, as of this spring, are both college graduates and employed in Denver! Wow, how did that happen so quickly! They were just 2 and 5 when I started at Slavens! Andrew graduated from CU Boulder, while younger sister Haley graduated from CSU. For the first time in over 26 years, we are not sharing our home with any furry four-legged friends. Sadly, in July, we lost our 13-year-old yellow lab, Lizzy. Our daughter is really pushing us to replace that empty spot in the family, but we'll see! In addition to teaching, I love spending time with family and friends, practicing yoga, cheering for the Rockies (this season they were reminding me all too much of the old Cubbies I was so fond of growing up in the Midwest!), and being active in the great Colorado outdoors.
Ms. Austin - Science/Social Studies
I am looking forward to my 4th year at Slavens and my 24th year with Denver Public Schools. I grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and moved to Denver, Colorado when I was eight, I attended Denver Public Schools through 6th grade and moved on to Jefferson County schools when we moved to Morrison for my middle school and high school years. For college, I headed up to CSU in Fort Collins where I initially wanted to become an Occupational Therapist, but instead fell in love with the teaching profession and followed in the footsteps of my mother and many other family members in teaching. I started in Denver in 1996 down at Ebert Elementary before it became Polaris and have taught at various schools and grades all over Denver. My most recent school was at Farrell B. Howell in Montebello where I had the distinct pleasure of opening that school and staying for 11 years. Four years ago, I had decided to come back to the southeast area and Slavens had a great opportunity open.
I fill the other parts of my life with family, dogs, travel, and hobbies and Colorado in not short of opportunities to enjoy any of those aspects. I spend most of my time with my boyfriend Juan and french bulldog Itza (sounds like "pizza" without the "p"). One of my favorite trips was to Mexico City exploring the indigenous populations of Mexico in Teotihuacan and other villages surrounding Santa Rosa, the village we stayed in. I have also become quite good at Mexican cuisine and love to bake. When I'm not running from place to place in search of adventure, I love to watch movies, I am a movie buff and look for a good story on screen, it doesn't matter the content or genre as long as the story is good. I am so excited to get back into the year and teach 6th graders all about science and social studies.
I am looking forward to my 4th year at Slavens and my 24th year with Denver Public Schools. I grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and moved to Denver, Colorado when I was eight, I attended Denver Public Schools through 6th grade and moved on to Jefferson County schools when we moved to Morrison for my middle school and high school years. For college, I headed up to CSU in Fort Collins where I initially wanted to become an Occupational Therapist, but instead fell in love with the teaching profession and followed in the footsteps of my mother and many other family members in teaching. I started in Denver in 1996 down at Ebert Elementary before it became Polaris and have taught at various schools and grades all over Denver. My most recent school was at Farrell B. Howell in Montebello where I had the distinct pleasure of opening that school and staying for 11 years. Four years ago, I had decided to come back to the southeast area and Slavens had a great opportunity open.
I fill the other parts of my life with family, dogs, travel, and hobbies and Colorado in not short of opportunities to enjoy any of those aspects. I spend most of my time with my boyfriend Juan and french bulldog Itza (sounds like "pizza" without the "p"). One of my favorite trips was to Mexico City exploring the indigenous populations of Mexico in Teotihuacan and other villages surrounding Santa Rosa, the village we stayed in. I have also become quite good at Mexican cuisine and love to bake. When I'm not running from place to place in search of adventure, I love to watch movies, I am a movie buff and look for a good story on screen, it doesn't matter the content or genre as long as the story is good. I am so excited to get back into the year and teach 6th graders all about science and social studies.
Ms. Askins - Language Arts
This is my 12th year as an educator. My journey to becoming a teacher has had many stops along the way: Higher education, corporate America, chef/culinary instructor and finally, educator. I believe that my past experiences frame my lens as an educator and are a benefit to your child and the Slavens community. Outside of Slavens, I enjoy spending time with my husband of 25 years and loving on very active, WILD and CRAZY teenage children that I affectionately call The Askins Tribe. When I'm not chauffeuring my teenage twins around or making countless trips to the ATM to withdraw for my poor starving college daughter, I unwind by traveling, walking, watching movies, hiking (a recent hobby) and eating fabulous food, of course!
It is essential that my classroom feel like a community where everyone feels accepted, respected and individuality, creativity and student voice are appreciated. I believe this environment is where children learn best. I hold students to high standards but I will also make sure I have proper supports in place for them to obtain them. We set academic and personal goals and revisit them constantly throughout the year.
In advance, I want to thank you for all your support. Together we will continue to work toward success and high student achievement. I am extremely enthusiastic about the year ahead, and look forward to having the privilege of teaching your child!
This is my 12th year as an educator. My journey to becoming a teacher has had many stops along the way: Higher education, corporate America, chef/culinary instructor and finally, educator. I believe that my past experiences frame my lens as an educator and are a benefit to your child and the Slavens community. Outside of Slavens, I enjoy spending time with my husband of 25 years and loving on very active, WILD and CRAZY teenage children that I affectionately call The Askins Tribe. When I'm not chauffeuring my teenage twins around or making countless trips to the ATM to withdraw for my poor starving college daughter, I unwind by traveling, walking, watching movies, hiking (a recent hobby) and eating fabulous food, of course!
It is essential that my classroom feel like a community where everyone feels accepted, respected and individuality, creativity and student voice are appreciated. I believe this environment is where children learn best. I hold students to high standards but I will also make sure I have proper supports in place for them to obtain them. We set academic and personal goals and revisit them constantly throughout the year.
In advance, I want to thank you for all your support. Together we will continue to work toward success and high student achievement. I am extremely enthusiastic about the year ahead, and look forward to having the privilege of teaching your child!