Carlin Nielsen, Dean of Inclusion Department
Since her days growing up outside Chicago, Carlin has explored the different ways people operate and thrive. After concentrating in sociology and creative writing at Hamilton College in upstate New York, she found her calling while teaching English in the Peace Corps. Her Master’s degree is in Multicultural Special Education from CU-Boulder, and she holds teaching licenses in Special Education, ESL, and Gifted & Talented education. In 2016-17, she earned an additional Master's in Educational Leadership from High Tech High School's Residency Program where she focused on the inclusion of neurodiverse students. Since her year at HTH, she has remained committed to bringing more inclusive programming for students in Durango. Carlin enjoys trail running, cooking, and world travel.
Department Roles and Responsibilities:
Email: [email protected]
Phone:
(970) 247-2474 x.2332 [Office]
(970) 403-5017 [Cell]
Office hours:
Email or call Carlin for availability.
Department Roles and Responsibilities:
- Inclusion Department Head - supporting our school community in providing equitable access for all students, advocate on behalf of students with exceptional learning needs, and supervisor of other Inclusion Department staff.
- Inclusion Specialist - providing direct support for students and guiding staff in the use of inclusion practices.
- Special Education Coordinator - coordinate efforts between students, teachers, and families to maximize learning and growth for students who qualify under IDEA; administrative designee for CSI's Special Education Director.
- 504 Coordinator - coordinate efforts between students, teachers, and families to provide appropriate accommodations for students who qualify under ADA.
- Resilience Coach - supporting other teachers' emotional health and effective educational practices through structured activities and coaching conversations.
Email: [email protected]
Phone:
(970) 247-2474 x.2332 [Office]
(970) 403-5017 [Cell]
Office hours:
Email or call Carlin for availability.
Heather Prekup, Special Education Teacher/Compliance Coordinator
Heather moved to Durango in 2013 from Keller, Texas. Many of her relatives have lived across southwest Colorado for decades, so she and her family, including her sister, brother-in-law, niece, nephew, grandmother, and parents decided Durango was the perfect place to live, work, and raise their families. She is ecstatic to be living on a beautiful piece of property in Hermosa with her husband, son, and daughter. Heather and Joseph had their first baby, Chamberlain Dean, in November 2013, and their daughter, Cheyenne Elaine, in November 2020. Heather graduated from Texas Woman’s University with a Bachelors of Science in Child Development, and from there she went on to receive her teaching certificate from Texas Teachers Teaching Program. She holds licenses in Early Childhood Education, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education, Elementary Education, and Special Education. Heather’s career in Special Education began in 2010 in a Keller, TX intermediate school as a Special Education Paraprofessional. It was in this position that Heather found a passion for working with exceptional students. She has worked with a variety students of all ages and disabilities and has grown to love this field more and more over the years. Heather began working as the Special Education Teacher at Animas High School in 2013, and is now responsible for a variety of duties within the Inclusion Department. When not at AHS you can find her working in her garden, cooking, or enjoying locally grown and prepared artisan foods at various restaurants around town with her husband, son and daughter.
Department Roles and Responsibilities:
Email: [email protected]
Phone:
(970) 247-2474 x.2333 [Office]
(970) 403-5379 [Cell]
Office Hours:
Email or call Heather for availability.
Department Roles and Responsibilities:
- Special Education Teacher - provide support and services to all IEP and 504 students.
- Compliance Officer - Write and maintain all learning plans (IEP, 504, ALP) to be compliant with state requirements.
- SSD Coordinator - state testing accommodations coordinator.
- Administrative Assistant - send, receive, and maintain records for all IEP, 504, and ALP students.
- MTSS Coordinator - coordinate efforts between students, teachers, and families to provide appropriate interventions/accommodations for students who are not already identified with a learning plan.
Email: [email protected]
Phone:
(970) 247-2474 x.2333 [Office]
(970) 403-5379 [Cell]
Office Hours:
Email or call Heather for availability.
Charlie Newton, Academic Coach
Charlie hails from Kansas City and had his first experience coaching youth through U-12 rugby clinics when he was still in high school. After high school, Charlie joined the military and once he returned home he decided to travel and pursue playing rugby all over the US and even in in the UK, coaching at high school and collegiate levels. Charlie moved to Colorado got his Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism from Western Colorado University. He spent time outdoor guiding and eventually found his way to Durango in 2017, working in wilderness therapy with Open Sky where he served as a Field Guide and Field Medic. He spends his free time traveling to rugby tournaments and recreating in the outdoors with his friend
Department Roles and Responsibilities:
Email: [email protected]
Phone:
(970) 247-2474
Office Hours:
Email Charlie for availability.
Department Roles and Responsibilities:
- Provide Special Education services under the direct supervision of the Dean of Inclusion Department.
- Provide 504 supports under the direct supervision of the Dean of Inclusion.
- Student support - academics, executive functioning, behavior
- Support teachers and students toward Inclusive practices
Email: [email protected]
Phone:
(970) 247-2474
Office Hours:
Email Charlie for availability.
Genevieve Buzan-Dansereau, Academic Coach
Genevieve grew up in Denver where she cultivated a love for adventuring in Colorado’s mountains. She attended Colorado College and was heavily involved with the outdoor education program before graduating with a B.A. in Environmental Science and a minor in Education. In May 2018, Genevieve moved to Durango to work as a wilderness therapy guide through Open Sky, where she taught social-emotional and wilderness skills to adolescent teams in the field. She left as a senior guide to pursue a teaching career and earned her teaching license in secondary science through the Public Education and Business Coalition (PEBC). Genevieve completed her PEBC residency at Animas High School during the 2022/23 school year while working with 9th grade students in science and math. She is excited to continue her work with the Animas community!
Department Roles and Responsibilities:
Email: [email protected]
Phone:
(970) 247-2474
Office Hours:
Email Genevieve for availability.
Department Roles and Responsibilities:
- Provide Special Education services under the direct supervision of the Dean of Inclusion Department.
- Provide 504 supports under the direct supervision of the Dean of Inclusion.
- Student support - academics, executive functioning, behavior
- Support teachers and students toward Inclusive practices
Email: [email protected]
Phone:
(970) 247-2474
Office Hours:
Email Genevieve for availability.
Andrew Allison-Godfrey, Academic Coach
Andrew Allison-Godfrey grew up in Connecticut and moved to Colorado Springs to attend Colorado College. Andrew graduated with a BA in Religion and then stayed on at Colorado College to work in the Outdoor Education Department running the Ritt Kellogg Memorial Fund. After a stint in Jackson, Wyoming working as a baker, Andrew moved to Denver and then Durango and started his own bagel business, Mabel’s Bagels along the way. He is currently in graduate school pursuing a dual masters in Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling. When not working or studying, Andrew enjoys skiing, mountain biking and camping with his wife and their perfect dog, Mable.
Department Roles and Responsibilities:
Email: [email protected]
Phone:
(970) 247-2474
Office Hours:
Email Andrew for availability.
Department Roles and Responsibilities:
- Provide Special Education services under the direct supervision of the Dean of Inclusion Department.
- Provide 504 supports under the direct supervision of the Dean of Inclusion.
- Student support - academics, executive functioning, behavior
- Support teachers and students toward Inclusive practices
Email: [email protected]
Phone:
(970) 247-2474
Office Hours:
Email Andrew for availability.