Departments

Language Arts

7th Grade

Mrs. Shannon Fortune (Texas A&M)

Mr. Kenneth Johnson (San Francisco University)

Mrs. Lauryn Kinchloe (Army/Navy)

My name is Lauryn Kincheloe. This is my first year teaching at FMS! I teach 7th grade ELA and Social Studies. I enjoy these subjects because they help students learn about the world around them, as well as learn about themselves. There is nothing better than watching my students’ faces light up when they understand a new concept or achieve a goal they had been working toward.

I am originally from Pennsylvania, but I have lived in Colorado for the past seven years. I have taught English, Social Studies, and ESL to students at the middle school level throughout my career. I am a lifelong learner and I am currently earning my Doctorate specializing in Professional Learning and Technology. I have a wonderful husband and a little boy who is very adventurous! We enjoy hiking, riding in our RZR, and spending time at the lake. Reading and watching TV are some of my favorite pastimes.

Mrs. Tanya Smalley

Education: BA English--Minot State University, Minot, ND
Masters in Instructional Technology at Regis University
Years Teaching: 19
Years at FMS: 9
Grade/Subject: 7th Grade Language Arts, volleyball coach

About Me: I grew up in Medicine Lake, Montana. I was raised a farmer's daughter and attended the same school K-12! I went to college in North Dakota and taught there for three years before moving to Colorado Springs. I have two children: Sarah, age 18 and Elijah, age 15. I love spending time with my family and friends. I love to cook and barbecue. I also like to take long walks!

6th Grade

Mrs. Kimberly Caldwell (M.I.T.)

Mr. Aaron Deck (Colorado School of Mines)

Mrs. Jennifer McKean (Colorado Mesa University)

Hello,

I am Jennifer McKean. I teach 6^th grade English Language Arts. This is my 25th year of teaching and my 22nd at Fountain Middle School. I received my BA from Adams State and my Masters in Reading from Grand Canyon University. While at Adams I ran on the track team, and was even an All-American. I love teaching ELA, coaching cross country and track, and being an advisor for student council.

When I am not at school, I love to hike, read, play Ultimate Frisbee, and spend time with my family.

Mrs. Emma Witting (Colorado College)

Hello, I am Emma Witting. I teach 6th grade Language Arts. I studied Sociology in my undergraduate program and became licensed to teach secondary English Language Arts. I love working through literature with students because it offers another lens through which students can understand their world.

When I am not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my husband, our son, and our three dogs while camping, hiking, climbing, and spending time with family and friends.

Math

8th Grade

7th Grade

Mrs. Ann Bagshaw (Army/Navy)

I have taught 23 years in FFC8. I am married to a retired Army soldier (29 years). I have 2 children that are now adults. I have a bachelor's degree in engineering from West Point, a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from UCCS and a License in Leadership and Administration. I teach in FFC8 because our students need teachers that are invested in them and understand the struggles that our children face on a daily basis.

Mrs. Abigail Handel (Texas A&M)

Ms. Amy Kelly (San Francisco University)

Ms. Selena Lucero (Iowa State University)

6th Grade

Science

8th Grade

Mrs. Christan Cole

Ms. Sarah Hunke

Hello! My name is Sarah Hunke and this is my 5^th year teaching science at Fountain Middle School. My undergraduate degree is in Chemical Engineering, and I have a graduate degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Before teaching, I had a career as an environmental engineer. I love bringing experiences from my engineering career into the classroom, and classify myself as a true “nerd.” This year, I hope to get my students excited about physical science.

Ms. Meredith Powers

Hello FMS! I am so excited for Year 6 at the best school ever! I can’t wait to see what this year holds in and out of the classroom. I believe that everyone is a little curious about science but some just need a little push to step outside their comfort box to explore it and speak up in class.

Aside from teaching 8^th grade science I am co-advisor for Student Council. If you can’t find me at school you can find me at home with my family, baking or watching football. Let’s CROC this year together!

7th Grade

Ms. Abigail Makara (San Francisco University)

Mrs. Abigail Handel (Texas A&M)

Mr. Tanner Keiley (Iowa State University)

Mrs. Vicky Rands (Army/Navy)

This is my 14th year at FMS and my 20th year in education. I am originally a Michigander but I have lived all over the world and now call Colorado my home. I received my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a highly qualified science endorsement from Grand Canyon University. I received my master’s degree in Educational Leadership in August 2014. I also coach 7th/8th grade volleyball, tutor, and I am the Yearbook advisor. Needless to say, I try to keep busy.

I am married and have two incredible children. My son is 26 years old and Rousch Racing. My daughter is 24 and followed her father's footsteps by joining the Navy as a YN. My husband retired from the Navy in March 2012 after 24 years of service and is now a government contractor.

I am looking forward to another fabulous year here at FMS! Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions, comments, or concerns. Go Trojans!

6th Grade

Ms. Jennifer Daigle (M.I.T.)

Ms. Jayde Gartner-Hoover (Colorado College)

Ms. Kelsey Wager (Colorado Mesa University)

Hello, my name is Kelsey Wager and this is my 4th year teaching science at Fountain Middle School. My undergraduate degree is in Chemistry and I have a graduate degree in Chemistry as well. I love encouraging students to ask questions about the world around them and brining my love for nature into the classroom. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time outdoors and exploring Colorado.

Mr. Brian Whitfield (Colorado School of Mines)

Social Studies

8th Grade

Mr. Jonathan Anderson

Mr. Spencer Wykstra

This will be my 19^th year teaching here at Fountain Middle School and I am excited to again be teaching eighth grade U.S. History and its Social Studies skills. I have bachelor's degree in History from the University of Colorado and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University. I live in Colorado Springs with my beautiful wife who is also a teacher in District 8 and we have two children and a Great Dane dog. Besides coaching Cross Country, Basketball, and Track, I also help sponsor the National Junior Honor Society chapter.

Over the past few years, I have been a part of a grant program for teachers where I have had the opportunity to travel to most of historic sites we will be talking about this year in class. History has always been a passion of mine because its lessons affect our daily lives. History is the key to our past that can open the doors to our future. It helps to explain why we are here, how we think, and how we can address today’s problems for a better future. I am looking forward to challenging your students and watching them grow academically and becoming responsible citizens. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns, or compliments.

Mrs. Katharina Zito

7th Grade

6th Grade

Mrs. Stephanie Callaway (Colorado School of Mines)

I was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado but grew up in New Jersey. I returned to Colorado when I was a freshman in high school. I have a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Special Education. I have been part of the Fountain Fort Carson family for thirteen years.

I am married, have two kids and a puppy. As a family we love to be outside camping, fishing, paddle boarding and hiking! Both of my kids play many sports and we are always on the sidelines cheering them on!

My family is from Peru, I am fluent in Spanish and American Sign Language. We love to travel and I have traveled to four continents! I believe that learning can be as fun as you make it! If we come into class with a positive attitude, anything is possible. The classroom is a place to make mistakes, ask questions and grow. What we learn today will help us tomorrow!

Ms. Riley McGregor (M.I.T.)

Ms. Elizabeth Salcedo (Colorado Mesa University)

Mrs. Emma Witting (Colorado College)

Electives

Art

Business/Marketing

Ms. Georgette Freeman

Hello D8 friends and parents.

My name is Georgette Freeman and I am the Business/Marketing Teacher here at Fountain Middle School.

I am originally from Hawai’i, born and raised, where I was a substitute teacher and Health Aide. I found myself here in Colorado by way of U.S. Army about 10 years ago and put down a few roots.

I have held many positions within D8, most recently as the Library/Media Assistant here at FMS. This is my second year as the Business/Marketing Teacher.

Language

Mrs. Natalie Cedano ~ Spanish

Mrs. Katrina Overberg ~ Journalism

Mrs. Katrina Overberg has been a teacher with the Fountain Fort-Carson school district for over 15 years. She is currently teaching Gifted and Talented Success Skills for all grade levels, which students with a formal Gifted identification attend for one semester each year of middle school.

Mrs. Overberg teaches a Journalism elective for 7^th and 8^th graders. Please visit The Arrow to see exceptional writing from students!

She holds a B.A. in Communication and Media Management and an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction, both from the University of Colorado. She also holds a Gifted and Talented License Endorsement.

Mrs. Overberg is a Teacher Liaison to the Space Foundation, where she pursues her passion for space sciences. She spends her free time chasing a million different interests – the weirder, the better.

Mrs. Judi Savala-Wright ~ Literature Alive

Literature Alive! is a performance-based class that is probably most like a speech and drama class with a strong literature piece embedded into what we do most days. We work on presentation skills, performance skills, and reading exciting literature while taking quality, useful notes. I have been teaching for 26 years, first as a language arts teacher and now as an elective teacher, and I still love coming to school each day. :)

Please feel free to contact me with any comments, suggestions, or questions. I'd love to hear from you! jwright@ffc8.org

Multi-Language Learners

Music

Mr. Nicholas Darpino ~ Band

Mrs. Aubrey Huey ~ Choir

Welcome to FMS Choir!

My name is Aubrey Huey and I teach choir at FMS for all grade levels. I also co-sponsor the WEB (“Where Everybody Belongs”) program and teach the WEB Elective for 8^th graders. This is my 19^th year teaching at FMS and my 22nd year teaching overall. I’m excited to be back at FMS this year and look forward to having a great year with FMS students and families. Please feel free to contact me at ahuey@ffc8.org.

Mrs. Judi Savala-Wright ~ Beginning Piano

Mr. Ben Chin ~ Accompanist

Physical Education

Coach Darian Cordova

Coach Gary Kruse

Coach Paul Mileto

Coach Jessica Wykstra

Welcome Trojans!

This is my twenty-second-year teaching here at FFC8. I completed my undergraduate work at the University of Colorado at Boulder, earning a BA in psychology. I then went on to complete my MA in curriculum and instruction at the University of Colorado at Denver, where I obtained an elementary teaching license, as well as endorsements in secondary history and K-12 physical education. I spent thirteen years teaching history at FMS, and three years teaching PE at Eagleside Elementary, before returning to FMS to teach PE. My wonderful husband also teaches at FMS. We have two incredible children, Oakley and Skyley; and a silly Great Dane, Daisy.

In addition to being a PE teacher, I am a lifeguard, personal fitness trainer, and a third-degree black belt and instructor in Taekwondo. I also train in Krav Maga and teach seminars in self-defense. My favorite hobbies are paddle boarding, reading, traveling, playing my guitar and ukulele, and just about anything you can do outside. I love to swim, hike, run, ski, surf, and go Jeeping.

I believe in being a healthy and active life-long learner. And that is exactly what I teach my students. It is just as important to be passionate about studies in language arts, mathematics, science and social studies, as it is to understand and appreciate how an active lifestyle will maintain good health and longevity. In fact, current brain research indicates that there is a strong correlation between physical activity and learning capacity. I teach my students to be passionate about intentionally making healthy life choices. And along the way, I'll show them just how fun physical activity can be to help lay the foundation for an active lifestyle.

We're going to have a great year, and I can't wait to see you in the gym!

Success Academy/Sources of Strength

Mrs. Julie Cowell

Hello FMS! My name is Julie Patterson Cowell. I have recently celebrated my 1st anniversary so some of my 7th and 8th graders still know me as Miss Patterson and my 6th graders know me as Mrs. Cowell. I am honored to be back at Fountain Middle School for my 6th year at the 8th grade Elective teacher for Sources of Strength and the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade teacher for Success Academy during Success Skills. I also co-host the Sources of Strength Club with Morgan Pich and Heather Hinds on Monday afternoons from 4pm to 5pm in room B112 (my room). Hope to see you there...

I am originally from Buffalo, New York, go Buffalo Bill's! I moved out west to Colorado for love in 2013 and started teaching in D49. After 2 years there I then found my calling with Success Academy in 2015 at FMS and have been here ever since. I had my son in 2014 right when my husband got back from Africa on deployment. We have a 20 year old who just got his first apartment, an 11 year old who is now attending Fountain Middle School, and our little isn't so little in 1st grade at 7 years old at Eagleside. To round off our family of 5 we have 4 dogs, Zeus, Bibba, Zero, Bug.

I look forward to teaching your child and working hand in hand towards their success in Middle school. Any questions or concerns please contact me at jcowell@ffc8.org. Go Trojans!

Mrs. Katherine Sinclair ~ Paraeducator

Teacher Pre-Cadet

Technology

Mrs. Terry Brashers ~ Technology/Programming

This is my 31st year working as an educator, and my 17th year at Fountain Middle School. As a former military spouse, I spent 14 years as an elementary school teacher in Alabama, Kansas, Texas and then here in Colorado Springs. After returning home to Colorado, I went back to school and received a master's degree in Instructional Technology and made the move to Fountain Middle School.

I currently teach Exploratory Technology (6th Grade), and 7th & 8th Grade Programming. I am also the Web Administrator for the school website.

Mrs. Jena Cameron ~ STEM/Robotics

Mrs. Sandra Porter ~ STEM/Robotics

Ms. Tenesha Swift ~ Video Production/Graphic Arts