our staff

amy miller

Director

Amy is a licensed elementary teacher who has worked for the VISION Home and Community Program since 2002. She started as Resource Consultant in the Delta program and helped to open the Surface Creek office in 2003.

Amy believes that the heart of a solid education is individualized opportunities coupled with consistent accountability. Every child can succeed if presented with opportunities that match their ability and interests. In the world of high-stakes testing, it is easy to shift our focus to results on a test instead of personal results for individual kids. She consistently wants to be reminded of the needs of individual learners and seek ways to meet those needs. While accountability based on test scores is a fact of life, she believes we cannot lose our focus on our responsibility to every learner to help prepare them to be successful in their own “next step.”

Amy is the mother of four and the wife of a school teacher. She enjoys spending time with her family, whether they are hiking, camping, fishing, or just playing outside!

jessica carlson

K-8 Curriculum Specialist, Scantron Facilitator, Special Funds Committee Coordinator, Resource Librarian

“This will be my third year working for the Surface Creek Vision Home and Community Program. I love working here because of all the great families that I get to meet and amazing people that I get to work with. I have been married for 11 years and have three children. My favorite past times include reading and running... consequently I LOVE when I can listen to a book on my iPod while out on a long distance trail run! I've lived in Colorado all my life and feel completely blessed to raising my kids in one of the most beautiful places ever.”

michele hammel

family advocate/
publications

A Colorado native, Michele moved to this beautiful area in the summer of 2008 after living and teaching in the San Luis Valley. She received her BA in Elementary Education from Adams State College in Alamosa, CO.

Michele began working as the Family Advocate for Surface Creek Vision in July 2009.

“I am delighted to be part of this caring team and working with remarkable families and children. I value what this program offers families and learners. I believe that each child is unique and needs a secure, caring, and stimulating atmosphere in which to grow and mature emotionally, intellectually, physically, and socially. It is especially important to study things that are meaningful and relevant to one's life and interests. Developing a curriculum around the learner's interests fosters intrinsic motivation and stimulates the passion to learn.”

Michele's family is the heart and soul of her life. She enjoys reading, gardening, camping, golfing, fishing, going to the movies, or whatever it is that her family is doing!

dan ihnot

Education Coordinator

Dan's background in education includes a BS in environmental science and education, and 8 years of teaching science and archaeology throughout the west. He has also been a small business owner running a forestry and arbor care company in Ridgway for the past 7 years.

“I believe we all have to find purpose and meaning in our education. When we do, education ceases to be a destination, but is a journey throughout our lives. Vision allows learners to explore their individual learning style, unique interests and personal voice. I feel privileged to have the opportunity to help in that process.”

When Dan isn't working he enjoys gardening, hiking, climbing, boating, camping and skiing with his wife Tracy and their dogs Monkey and Rooney.

tracy ihnot

LAUNCH Coordinator

After receiving a degree in photography from Colorado Mountain College Tracy began working with the Vision program. First, she worked as an educator teaching photography. After running an adventure resort in Baja Mexico for a year and a half she returned to Vision as a Resource Consultant before assisting in the development and subsequently directing the LAUNCH program.

“Each learner is unique in their needs, desires, and goals. It is so rewarding to see these kids join the LAUNCH program and become energized and excited about their education. That is how I know all the individual time and attention we pay to our learners is paying off.”

In addition to being a photographer Tracy is a singer songwriter who plays guitar and performs locally. She is also an avid outdoors sportswoman, hiking, backpacking, boating, and biking all over the western slope with her husband Dan and dogs Rooney and Monkey.

pat tollen

office manager, permanent records

I would say that I am first and foremost a wife to my husband of 45 years, second a mother to two great daughters, and third the grandmother of four very active grandsons. I have always been involved in education, as student, a teacher, and now working in the VISION program. I enjoy serving in my church, gardening, reading, sewing, and just being around people work toward bettering themselves and the world in general.

nan latta

Powerschool Administrator, Monday Receptionist, Learner Records Assistant

I have a college degree in Behavioral Science with emphasis in Elementary Education. My minor is in Geography (something I really enjoy!). My educational philosophy is that every child learns differently. Thus, it is so important that each child be given the best available learning opportunities. I also believe that each day is a new day and may result in a child finally making a connection and “getting it”. And that being able to read is a necessary academic skill in order to be successful in life. I am married and have two children, a 13-year-old daughter and an 11-year-old son. As a family, we like to take our canoe out on lakes and rivers. We also enjoy sightseeing and exploring areas of geological interest. I really enjoy reading a variety of books in my spare time, especially historical fiction and mysteries.

marcia mitchell

Program Finances/
Accountant, Inventory

I was born in Idaho and raised in a ministers home. I have 2 sisters and one brother. I raised two children of my own and then came back into the work force in around 1984. I have worked in banks, as a teller and bookkeeper, for brokerage firms, receptionist, Delta Housing Authority, public schools, and now Surface Creek VISION as the Financial Administrator.

I believe education starts in the home. Everyone else that contributes to a child's education is secondary. I do believe that secondary education should be the best a child can get. We should all be mentors to the children we come in contact with. We should take responsibility for our culture and make a difference in our world. I believe in a variety of ways to educate... reaching all children with hope and a future.

don pyle

Assistant Director
Guidance Specialist

37 years experience in education ranging from teaching language arts at high school, Spanish at high school and adult levels, and teacher development/improvement for adults.

Learning is hard work, but it can be very enjoyable and ideally is a life-long pursuit. Learners excel when they have a high degree of personal freedom to choose when, what, and where they desire to learn. Educational systems should support that freedom to the maximum.

I love gardening, camping, hiking, photography, reading, holding and playing with my grand babies, and socializing with others, to name a few.

My wife and I have 5 married children and 15 grandchildren. We do a lot of my favorite activities and we help our children with their home projects.

By virtue of being a breathing, walking human being I am unique. Each of us is unique in our likes, dislikes, perception of the world, etc. We share many similarities, but each of us is like no-one else.

sara sharer

coordinating director
resource consultant

Since August 2006, I have served Vision Home and Community Program as Coordinating Director for common projects and program-wide communication between the three programs, the Board of Stewards and the Delta County Board of Education. As Coordinating Director, I develop action plans for program-wide issues and find common ground among all participants. I also coordinate VHCP's interface with the State Board of Education waiver process and contract negotiations.

terrie watts

events coordinator

My name is Terrie Watts and I have been working in VISION for the past 9 years. I love to learn myself and believe that people learn best when engaged through an interest or passion. I have homeschooled by own four children and have enjoyed exploring both traditional and alternative methods of education. Two of my children are now in college and I have a 17 year old and a 10 year old still at home. I love to read, garden, study languages, canoe, cook, bike, and travel.