Specials

    Brenda Bauer

    Elementary PE Teacher

     
    Brenda has been teaching for more than 18 years.  She did her undergraduate work at the University of Arizona and received a BA Exercise Sports Science.  She received her Masters in Elementary Education from Grand Canyon University.  She has taught Physical Education at the middle school and elementary level most of her career.  She was so excited to have the opportunity to help open BFA and create the Physical Education program.  

    Brenda is a Colorado native and loves all of the active opportunities Colorado provides.  Brenda lives with her Husband and 2 daughters in Castle Rock.  Her oldest daughter, Brianna, will be in her 2nd year of Law School at Pepperdine University.  Her youngest daughter, Kaylyn, will be a Junior at San Diego State University.

    Brenda loves the BFA community and teaching at a STEAM school where all students are provided with a well-rounded education!

    Faculty Favorites

      Lauren Flint

      Elementary Science Teacher

       

      After being a substitute at BFA for the past three years, Lauren is very excited to now be the Elementary Science Specialist! She grew up in Littleton and graduated from Columbine high school. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology with a biomedical emphasis and a minor in Chemistry from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. Lauren also studied Emergency Medical Services at Aims Community College and became EMT certified along with additional special certificates. After graduating she worked in the medical field for several years before returning to school to complete a Master’s Degree. Lauren earned a Master’s Degree from the University of Florida (go Gators!) in Forensic DNA Analysis and Serology.  

      Shortly after earning her degree, she became a stay-at-home mom and spent seven years taking care of her two kids before returning to work. She loves being around all the kids and is looking forward to being here full-time this year!

      In her spare time Lauren enjoys getting outside to hike, bike, swim or read. Her family loves to adventure around the country and they typically go on two road trips per year! They love visiting national parks and monuments and trying local food. They also love to take their dog, Tucker, anywhere they can! 

       

        Ali Hinkle

        K-8 Art Teacher

        ahinkle@bfacademy.org

        Ali has been teaching for more than twenty years. She graduated from Sussex University in England with a bachelor’s degree in Art and Education and went on to teach in England, Spain and Italy for many years before coming to America in 1994. After spending a few years at home with her children, she began teaching again. She has been teaching art in Core Knowledge schools in Douglas County since 2005. She loves teaching art and is proud to have been a part of Ben Franklin Academy from the beginning. She is also excited to be able to teach at a S.T.E.A.M. school where art is considered to be an important part of a well-rounded education. 

        She lives in Highlands Ranch with her husband, John, who is a native Coloradan. They have two grown children and two grandchildren.

        Faculty Favorites

          Jaime Johnson

          K-5 Music

          jjohnson@bfacademy.org

          Ms. Jaime Johnson has been the K-8 music director at Ben Franklin Academy since 2012. She is responsible for directing performances and after school classes as well as teaching elementary general music and middle school music and theatre electives.

          Ms. Johnson holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from University of Redlands and a Masters in Music Education from University of Colorado, Boulder. She holds a vocal coaching certification from New York Vocal Coaching. She also has her Orff Schulwerk certification. This certification focuses on training music teachers to implement the creative music and movement approach developed by Carl Orff and Gunild Keetman. This approach is known for using instruments such as xylophone to improvise and compose music. Training includes recorder and movement classes.

          Outside of Ben Franklin, Ms. Johnson is a music director for Audience of One, Spot On Theatre and Mountain Vista High School. Prior to BFA, she taught band and orchestra at three Douglas County schools and K-8 general music at a charter school in Denver.

          Ms. Johnson truly believes in the power of the performing arts and is thrilled BFA is a STEAM school. Her role as a music teacher is to teach skills that will help students succeed in school and in life such as working with others, listening, storytelling, speaking in front of a group, being a good audience and accepting other people’s interests. Through the arts, she has seen students come out of their shells and embrace learning. 

          Faculty Favorites

            Beth Konesky

            Middle School S.T.E.A.M.

            bkonesky@bfacademy.org

            With a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Creighton University, more than 10 years in the computer industry as a programmer and network engineer, along with many years as a Technology Teacher, Beth has a plethora of ideas and hands-on activities to inspire and challenge students. A die-hard Broncos fan, Beth loves Colorado, the outdoors, her two teenage daughters, and learning new things!

            Faculty Favorites

              Craig Macias

              Middle School PE & Health

              cmacias@bfacademy.org

              I am a sixth year teacher and a graduate of Colorado State University.  My course work and life have prepared me to be an informed, dynamic, professional in the Health and Physical Education field. In high school I was on the baseball, football and tennis teams where my coaches taught me the value of hard work, dedication, being a stand up individual and many other life lessons that I hope I can pass along to my students.   I do not only teach Health and Physical Education, I also live it.  I like to think that I practice what I preach!  Some of my favorite hobbies are exercising and playing/coaching different sports.  I have coached elite youth baseball, football and golf throughout the last ten years which has helped inspire me to pursue my dream of becoming a Health and Physical Education teacher and Athletic Director.  I love to try new things and spend time with my family and friends.  Lastly I truly love and have a lot of passion for what I do.  I believe I have the best job in the world, and get up every day thankful that I get to do what I do.  I love working with all my students, and having the opportunity to teach them how to be healthy and physically fit.

              Faculty Favorites

                Kyle Nolting

                STEM Coordinator

                knolting@bfacademy.org

                Kyle Nolting is the STEM Coordinator at Ben Franklin Academy. Kyle is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in education from the Morgridge College of Education at the University of Denver. He has a background in K-12 science and technology education while teaching for the New York City department of education. In the classroom, he has interests in STEM curriculum design, ASD Education, Gifted & Talented Education, Multicultural Teaching Practices, LGBTQ+ Youth Advocacy and DEI Work. Outside of the classroom, Kyle is interested in hiking, birding, fly fishing and general all around spending time outdoors. He is excited to meet you on campus!

                Faculty Favorites

                 

                    Laura Tickle

                    K-5 Technology

                    ltickle@bfacademy.org

                    Teaching has always been a passion of Laura’s, and she loves being a member of the Ben Franklin Academy staff. Laura has taught for 15 years. She has taught fourth grade and currently is the K-5 Specials technology teacher. Technology is important to BFA and Laura is able to help effectively integrate technology into the hands of students at BFA.

                    Laura received her Bachelor’s degree in 2009 in Elementary Education from Purdue University. She has her certification in Linguistically Diverse Education from the University of Colorado at Denver, as well as a Masters in Information and Learning Technologies from the University of Colorado at Denver. Laura also received an award for ‘Outstanding Student in the Program’ at the end of her Masters program course work. This ILT program not only allowed Laura to grow with her own personal education, but it helps bring many of the latest ideas and projects related to technology into the classrooms at BFA. 

                    A Colorado native, Laura loves working out, watching football and spending time with her family.

                    Faculty Favorites