our staff

jessica carlson

resource consultant/
Curriculum Advisor

My name is Jessica Carlson and this will be my fourth 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.

deborah dearmin

resource consultant

I am originally from the New York City area, raised in the suburb of “Hicksville” on Long Island. I never wanted to be anything but a teacher and have been teaching in various capacities since 1970. I have taught 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th grades in the Bronx and in Florida. I have taught adults about Early Childhood Education through workshops and college level courses for over 20 years. My daughter, Jodelle, used to tell people “My Mom teaches teachers to teach.” Jodelle now lives in Tampa, FL. She is a social worker.

My husband Pat and I like to camp, travel and white water raft whenever we have time. We moved to Delta in April of 2007 from Golden. We love the small town atmosphere and intend to stay here.

My educational philosophy is to help develop creative, independent individuals, able to make healthy life decisions. I feel if we are able to accomplish this, children may grow up to be healthier adults.

juanita ensley

resource consultant

jennifer hunt

resource consultant

I am a Vision graduate and an Art enthusiast. I love to learn, and I believe that all kids do as well, some just do not know it. I believe the Vision Program provides kids with more educational diversity, allowing them to find how and what they love to learn. I am a painter, and I have a large extended family that I spend a lot of time with.

nan latta

resource consultant, Powerschool Administrator

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 14 year-old daughter and an 12 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.

lisa nortnik

resource consultant

I have a college degree in Marketing in Business Administration from Regis University. My 'first career' was in sales and marketing and I had the opportunity to work at several Fortune 500 companies such as Coca-Cola, Anheusuer Busch, and Colgate Palmolive. I am now happily married with four children and my first two children, Evan and Emily (twins!), were born in 1999. Noah and Ben followed in 2002 and 2006. Needless to say I have been very busy raising children for over 10 years and I am thrilled to balance this family life with my fulfilling work at Surface Creek Vision. I enjoy using my “real world” experience, coupled with my parenting experience, to help our learners achieve their educational goals and find their way to a bright and healthy future. I also enjoy yoga, running, hiking, camping, and gardening.

lynn schanen

resource consultant

My name is Lynn Schanen and I started working for the Surface Creek Vision Home and Community Program in 2009. This is the best job I have ever had and I really believe in the Vision program. I have a degree in Biology from Lakeland College in Sheboygan, WI. I am originally from a town about the size of Cedaredge called Pecatonica, IL. I enjoy traveling and looking for the next adventure whether it is scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef, skydiving in New Zealand, dog sledding in AK or skijoring on the Grand Mesa. I have been married since 2006 to my husband Ted who also works in education as a science teacher and wrestling coach. We have a son named Sterling and sled dogs and beagles. I am also an Educator for SC Vision and will often teach science, scrapbooking, and personal finance classes at the vision office. I enjoy playing volleyball and watching wrestling. In my free time I like hanging out with my dogs, hiking, and scrapbooking.

sara sharer

resource consultant

Sara is delighted to be a Resource Consultant for Surface Creek VHCP. She has a wide variety of educational experience that she draws on each day including: 16 years of experience working with Special Education laws and advocacy for students birth to 21, and a 20 year history of involvement in alternative education developing school cultures and curriculum in several diverse settings.

The following is synthesis of the educational foundation that guides my work:

There is no one learning style that captures every student. The uniqueness of each individual needs to be honored by reflection on how they best learn and want to learn. A familyÂ’s search for alternatives to the traditional school is driven by the desire to access different learning environments and teaching techniques so that their children will love to learn, for their whole lives.

When a student can begin from a place where anything is possible, they have the freedom to imagine what can be. From the excitement created by “what can be”, they gain a focus for their learning. A successful match of style and structure means an optimal learning environment, one in which the family and the student are comfortable, supported, and most importantly, about which they are passionate. True learning takes place when a student is an active participant in his/her education.

All students should have an educational program designed around their individual needs. Every child deserves the time and attention of a group of teachers, mentors and family to enhance their strengths, strategize about their weaknesses, and collaborate on their future.

It is an honor to be part of VHCP, a school that provides a place for an education where anything is possible.

kim signs

resource consultant

Kim joined the VISION team in 2010 as a Resource Consultant. She is a 2nd generation teacher in her family and received her degree in elementary education from Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado.

“I believe children are our most precious resource. When children are given the opportunity to learn in a caring, trusting, environment they can grow in amazing ways.”

Kim loves reading, biking, hiking, scrapbooking, and ANY time spent with her family. Though not a Colorado native she is married to one. She loves living in this beautiful area with her husband, seven children, two cats, one dog, and a very large lizard.

mari-emilie sweigart

resource consultant

A graduate from Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina with a BA in Political Science, Mari-Emilie lived in the metropolitan D.C. area for several years. There she was a docent for the National Colonial Farm and conducted school tours. She also worked at Mt. Vernon, the home of George Washington! Mari-Emilie felt a calling to drive across the country to attend the University of Alaska Fairbanks to obtain her elementary education certification. Later she relocated to Woodland Park, CO and taught second grade for five years.

After visiting the Western Slope and seeing all the vineyards and orchards, she decided, “This is the place for me.” That summer, she packed up the U-Haul and made her home in Cedaredge. She substituted at many of the Delta County Schools and began working at SCV in the summer of 2008. Mari-Emilie enjoys the flexibility of the program, working with SCV staff, and learning new and exciting things from her families.

Mari-Emilie, her husband, John, and son, Ian, enjoy many outdoor activities including hiking, biking, camping, and swimming. She is learning the LifeLine Technique and practices holistic health.

terrie watts

resource consultant

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.