Meet Our Crew!

Danielle Dickson

My name is Danielle Dickson. This is my third year as the principal of Welby Community School of the Arts, but I have been with Mapleton Public Schools for 14 years. I started my career as a kindergarten teacher at Adventure Elementary where I taught for 5 years before I moved into administration. I was honored to serve as the elementary assistant principal for York International in Mapleton for 6 years before I came to be the Principal here at Welby. I am blessed to be supported by a strong team dedicated to Welby's success and I am excited to continue building upon the traditions of excellence that Welby Community School of the arts is known for. My passion is helping teachers realize their full potential so they can bring out the best in their students. Our kids deserve nothing less than the very best education we can provide, and it requires us to continuously refine and improve our practice so that we can best meet the needs of each individual student. I believe students learn best in a positive, inclusive, and nurturing environment that fosters a growth mindset dedicated to high expectations and excellence in a dynamic learning community where every child can thrive.

Email: dicksond@mapleton.us                                   Phone: 303.853.1701

Garrett Gabalis

My name is Garrett Gabalis and I am the Assistant Principal at Welby Community School of the Arts! This is my second year at Welby and it has been awesome getting to learn and grow within this community! I am excited to continue our work around student agency, ownership, and independence this year! When I'm not at school, you will find me in the mountains, running, biking, skiing, and exploring our incredible state!

Email: gabalisg@mapleton.us                                     Phone: 303.853.1702

Angie Edmundson

Hello! My name is Angie Edmundson and I have the privilege and honor to be Welby’s Instructional Guide for the 2024-2025 school year. This new school year marks 31 years as an educator and my fifth year serving the amazing Welby community. I look forward to working with all of you as we support our students in becoming their very best and preparing them for bright and happy futures.  

Email: edmundsona@mapleton.us                                  Phone: 303.853.1770

Melanie Barron

Hello, my name is Melanie Barron. This is my fifth year as and Early Childhood Special Education Teacher here at Welby Community School. I absolutely love working with our littlest learners. I cannot wait to see watch all my students grow. When I am not at school, you will find me running PerformAbility. A non-profit for children and adults with special needs. I am the Director and Owner. I am incredibly proud of the work that we do. I enjoy spending time with my wonderful husband and family.

Email: rufienm@mapleton.us                                     Phone: 303.853.1723

Greg Morgan

Hello, my name is Greg Morgan. This is my third-year teaching preschool at Welby Community School of the Arts. It's such a pleasure working with the children in this community. I love finding the joy of learning with my students and helping them to understand how capable they are. When I am not teaching, I like to play board games and video games. I also perform with a local contemporary dance company called Lifer/Art Dance Ensemble. I have regular performances, if you would like to come be an audience member please let me know!

Email: morgang@mapleton.us                                     Phone: 303.853.1717

Jodi Henderson

My name is Jodi Henderson and this is my 15th year at Welby! Throughout these last fifteen years, I have worked in Special Education, taught 4th grade, and now enjoy teaching kinders! When I’m not teaching, I spend time with my family and friends. I also love baking and photography! I’m super excited for this year!

Email: hendersonj@mapleton.us                                Phone: 303.853.1669

Maiong Ly

Hello, my name is Maiong Ly. I am a kindergarten teacher at Welby. I have been teaching primary education for almost 2 decades and I love this grade level. I enjoy teaching the EL Curriculum and teaching state standards through engaging activities, creativity, and the science of reading. When I am not teaching, I love being a full-time mother/teacher to my 3 sons. I also enjoy every kind of crafting and baking available. One of my favorite hobbies is baking 5-tier wedding cakes for my family.

Email: lym@mapleton.us                                           Phone: 303.853.1671

Lisa Aguado

My name is Lisa Aguado, and I am a first-grade teacher at Welby Community School of the Arts. This is my ninth year teaching here at Welby, and my twenty fourth year as a teacher. Teaching is my passion, seeing my students’ grow as learners fills my heart with joy.

Email: aguadol@mapleton.us                                   Phone: 303.853.1709

Melissa McKenny

Email: mckennym@mapleton.us                               Phone: 303.853.1670

Juliet Gill

My name is Juliet Gill, and I'm thrilled to be in my sixth year of teaching here at Welby Community School. I am passionate about creating positive and engaging learning experiences where each child feels valued and inspired to reach their full potential. My teaching philosophy centers on fostering curiosity, building confidence, and encouraging a love for learning that extends beyond the classroom. When I'm not teaching, you might find me exploring the Colorado outdoors, traveling, reading a good book, or spending time with my family. I look forward to another fantastic year at Welby!

Email: gillj@mapleton.us                                  Phone: 303.853.1722

Amanda Murphy

Hello! My name is Amanda Murphy and I’ll be starting my 13th year teaching 2nd grade at Welby Community School of the Arts. Welby’s community holds a special place in my heart as I have met and worked with incredible staff, students, and families over the years. I am passionate about guiding students to become effective and independent learners. In my free time I enjoy traveling, playing golf, and spending time with my husband, 9-year-old daughter, and Frenchie named Bean. 

Email: murphya@mapleton.us                                Phone: 303.853.1769

Elyse Katz

I have been at Welby for 6 years now.  I love the community and hard work that our students put in every single day.  This year I am most excited to be teaching our Frog unit, because I love how engaged the students get while researching. I am originally from New Jersey, and spent some time in Philadelphia, and Florida as well.  I love to travel and am very passionate about crafting and cooking. I also really love to play Zelda!  Growing up next to Philadelphia turned me into a big Flyers hockey fan, so I can’t wait for hockey season this year (even if the Flyer’s aren’t that good). 2024-2025 is going to be a very special year!

Email: katze@mapleton.us                                   Phone: 303.853.1708

Christine Conkey

Hello! My name is Christine Conkey, I am a fourth grade teacher here at Welby. I received my teaching degree in Florida in 2008 and started my teaching career in Utah, I have also taught in Nevada, and online.  It is great to be back in Colorado (where I grew up) working at Welby for my second year. This is a great school and community! 🙂

Email: conkeyc@mapleton.us                                      Phone: 303.853.1719

Gretchen Hundemer

My name is Gretchen Hundemer, and I am thrilled to have joined Welby this year as a fourth-grade teacher. It's a wonderful community to be a part of, and I'm looking forward to continuing to help students to grow and take ownership of their learning this year. When I'm not at school, I'm probably reading, doing something active, or hanging out with my adorable cat, Jellybean.

Email: hundemerg@mapleton.us                                  Phone: 303.853.1716

Brianna Atomode

My name is Brianna Atomode, I am a fifth-grade teacher here at Welby! I have been here for three years, and I have enjoyed every minute of it! I am so excited to help our students learn and grow as learners. When I am not at school I enjoy swimming, paddle boarding, reading, and spending time with friends and family! 

Email: atomodeb@mapleton.us                                   Phone: 303.853.1715

Sara Thorp

Hello! My name is Sara Thorp and I teach 5th/6th grade here at Welby. This is my third year at Welby but my 12th year teaching. I love the close-knit community and collaboration between our students, teachers and families at our school. This year I look forward to proving to my students that with some hard work, determination and fun, we can move mountains! In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my husband and our 3 kids and 3 cats, paddle boarding, knitting, shopping and getting into a good book!

Email: thorps@mapleton.us                                          Phone: 303.853.1715

Jess Masterson

My name is Jess Masterson, and I am a proud Coloradan from the Gilpin County Mountain Community. This is my second year with Mapleton Public Schools, with many years of experience in outdoor education and experiential, creative learning. I am a Master's candidate from the University of Colorado Boulder, with a degree in Elementary Education and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education. I love to teach creativity and problem-solving skills to young learners and inspire a love of learning! I enjoy creative writing, acting, and winter sports.  

Email: mastersonj@mapleton.us                                  Phone: 303.853.1713

Ryan Gonzales 

My name is Ryan Gonzales and I’m in my 4th year as the music teacher and 1st year as gym instructor at Welby Community School of the Arts. I have a strong background in the performing arts, working as: a lead actor in dozens of musicals, operas, and plays, director of children’s theatre in multiple after-school programs, regular collaborative pianist, featured soloist, and sound designer for productions. I also enjoy cooking, photography, aquariums, video games, movies, nature, and most of all, spending time with my wife, dog, cat, and many aquarium pets!

Email: gonzalesr@mapleton.us                                    Phone: 303.853.1711

Tia Nevil

My name is Tia M. Nevil, and I am the Studio Arts Teacher at Welby Community School of the Arts. I have been teaching at Welby since 2018. I love all things related to art. My bachelor’s degree is in Sculpture and Painting with a minor in Digital Media from Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. I went back to school later in life and completed my master’s degree at the University of Denver in the Boettcher Teachers Program where I earned my MA in Urban Curriculum Design and Instruction. I have taught 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th grade in addition to teaching art for several years. I love how the Welby community has embraced the arts!

Email: nevilt@mapleton.us                                          Phone: 303.853.1710

Jayne Bognar

Hello, my name is Jayne Bognar and I an in my 19th year of teaching but first year at Welby. I am the Special Education Generalist teacher and am very passionate about teaching children to read. I am very excited to be part of such a wonderful community. The Expeditionary Learning model is awesome since it addresses the whole child. I am married, have a wonderful 19-year-old son, and a Black Lab named Newman. To maintain balance in my life; I enjoy reading, writing, exercising through Zumba, and crafting.

Email: bognarj@mapleton.us                                    Phone: 303.853.1721

Kelly Rothe

Hello! My name is Kelly Rothe and I am the Inclusive Learning Community teacher here at Welby. I have previously worked in Weld County and in Metro Detroit as a teacher for Intensive Autism and Cognitive Impairments. I am very excited to join the Welby Crew! In my free time you can typically find me with a book in my hand, petting my dogs, baking a new recipe, or exploring Colorado with my husband.

Email: rothek@mapleton.us                                       Phone: 303.853.1672

Nicole Arvio

My name is Nicole Arvizo and I am the Special Education Generalist Paraprofessional at Welby Community School of the Arts! I've been a part of Welby Community for the past nine years and it has been amazing! I enjoy enhancing student engagement, teaching different methods to make learning more interactive and enjoyable. Outside of school I enjoy playing softball, adventures with my family and shopping.

Email: arvion@mapleton.us

Keren Garcia

Email: garciak@mapleton.us

Emily Reeser

My name is Emily Reeser and I am one of the Special Education Paraprofessionals for the Inclusive Learning Center at Welby Community School of the Arts! This is my fourth year at Welby, and my nineth year working in Special Education. Every day we challenge ourselves to learn and grow in the Inclusive Learning Center, and it is such a joy to witness student triumphs! When I am not at school, I enjoy spending time in nature, practicing photography, and I have recently gotten into voice acting!

Email: reesere@mapleton.us

Kara Arany

My name is Kara Arany, and I am the English Language Development teacher at Welby. This is my eleventh year here, and it has been wonderful to see students grow over the years! This year, I am looking forward to supporting students with their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in English. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my husband and two young children. I also love baking, reading, riding my bike, and practicing yoga.

Email: aranyk@mapleton.us                                       Phone: 303.853.1714

Devon Harger

My name is Devon Harger and I am the Speech-Language Pathologist at Welby. I have enjoyed working at Welby for the past 8 years. It has been so fun getting to help students with their speech and language skills as they progress from preschool to 6th grade! In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family, exploring the outdoors, reading, painting, and traveling the world.

Email: hargerd@mapleton.us                               Phone: 303.853.1143

Ellen Kelty

My name is Ellen Kelty and I am your school psychologist at Welby Community School of the Arts. This is my second year at Welby. Before coming to Mapleton I worked 21 years in Denver Public Schools as a school psychologist and Mental Health Director. I really enjoy working with the students, staff and parents in the Welby Community. When not working, I like to spend time with my six grandkids and the rest of my large family. I enjoy traveling, hiking, walking, bird watching, reading and going to the movies. 

Email: keltye@mapleton.us                                       Phone: 303.853.1146

Adrianna Ponce

Email: poncea@mapleton.us                              Phone: 303.853.1700

Linda Washa

Hi, I am Linda Washa, I am the Secretary for Welby Community School of the Arts. I have been with Mapleton Public Schools for 26 years. I watched many students grow from PK – young adults. In my spare time I enjoy time with my fur baby and grandbabies and riding motorcycles.

Email: washal@mapleton.us                               Phone: 303.853.1705

Joline Sanchez

Hi, my name is Joline Sanchez and I am the Health Assistant here at Welby Community School of the Arts. This is my 15th year at Welby and it has been a great experience being a part of the growth of Welby. I am committed to making the health of our students the priority and encouraging daily healthy habits. On my off time I enjoy scrapbooking, camping and being with my family.

Email: sanchezj@mapleton.us                                 Phone: 303.853.1703

Brenda de Luna

Email: delunab@mapleton.us

Kassandra Sims 

Sixto Monge