Directory

Maintenance Technician Oliverio Cervantes started at Graland in 2021. Originally from Centennial, Colorado, Mr. Cervantes has a bachelor’s in aviation technology from Metropolitan State University.

Previously serving the Cherry Creek School District, Mr. Cervantes came to Graland after he was referred by a friend who talked highly of the school's environment. When he is not at Graland, Mr. Cervantes enjoys working out, snowboarding, interior design, and spending time with friends and family.

“Always be curious.”

Marti joined Graland as our head of Middle School in 2017 after working as a middle school English teacher and dean of students. She has a master’s degree in curriculum and pedagogy from the University of Colorado-Denver and a bachelor’s degree in English and African American studies with a minor in music from Bowdoin College in Maine.

Jorge Chavez has been teaching Grade 8 math and algebra at Graland since 2009. Jorge double majored at the University of Notre Dame in Spanish and computer applications, and received a master’s degree in mathematics instruction and curriculum from the University of Delaware.

Prior to joining Graland, Jorge taught for nine years in Wilmington, Del., where he headed the middle school math department at Wilmington Friends School. Before that he taught at St. Lawrence The Martyr in Santa Clara, Calif. In addition to teaching math, Jorge is a Grade 8 advisor and coaches the Grade 8 girls’ basketball team. He is also a co-director and coach for the Gates Invention Program, as well as a member of Graland’s technology cohort.

Jorge loves that the Graland faculty looks out for each other and is always supportive, and that the students are genuine young people who really want to learn. Outside of school, Jorge enjoys spending time with his family and exploring everything that Colorado has to offer.

Learn more about Jorge Chavez

"Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all." - Aristotle

Josh started at Graland in 2002 as the ninth grade English teacher and went on to serve in a lead administrative role in the Middle School. He became the Head of School in 2017. Prior to joining Graland, he taught humanities and drama at a Denver charter school, and later became the co-director of the middle school program there. Josh holds a bachelor’s degree in creative writing and a master’s in English literature from Middlebury College in Vermont and more recently earned a second master’s in education from Columbia University in New York City. Josh loves the blend of progressive and traditional teaching methods at Graland, and how the faculty works to combine diverse strategies in order to best serve their students.

Originally from Boulder, Josh spends a lot of free time with his family, playing tennis, skiing, and hiking. He also loves to write poetry and has traveled extensively in Nepal and India. He is a former Graland parent, with two children who graduated from the school.

“If we teach today's students as we did yesterday's, we are robbing them of tomorrow.” - John Dewey

Learn more about Josh Cobb

Katie is a current Graland parent and a dedicated French instructor who has combined her love for teaching French with an environment that she knows and respects. She received her master’s degree in K-12 foreign language education from the University of Denver. During college, Katie studied abroad at the University of Bordeaux in France, where she perfected her grasp of the French language.

 

Before coming to Graland, Katie gained teaching experience with preschool, elementary and high school French students in the Denver area. Her teaching style includes integrating technology into her student’s learning platform. She says, “I would like to explore additional innovation and creativity in the classroom.”

 

On her own time, Katie has a broad range of hobbies including hiking, yoga, running and baking. Most of all she likes to travel abroad so that she can share her experiences and her enthusiasm for the French language and culture.

Learn more about Katie Cohen

Originally from Madison, Connecticut, Ms. Collins has lived in Colorado for the past nine years. Most recently serving as an education director at a non-profit, Ms. Collins holds a Ph.D. in education, curriculum, and instruction from the University of Denver. In addition, she earned her master's in literacy and reading (birth-Grade 6) and a bachelor's in sociology and elementary education from Fordham University. 

 

Some might not know that Ms. Collins worked at Graland as a Kindergarten support teacher in 2015. When asked what she is looking forward to in her new role, Ms. Collins said, "I was Helen Valiant's Kindergarten support teacher in 2015 and have maintained friendships with the Graland community ever since. Whenever I'm on campus, I am engaged, spirited, and excited about learning. I look forward to collaborating with the Kinder Team, helping students thrive, and applying a new lens and skillset to my craft." 

 

In her free time, Ms. Collins enjoys golfing, strength training, skiing, laughing with friends, cooking new recipes, and trying new restaurants. In addition, Ms. Collins loves to spend time with her family (husband, Ricardo, three-year-old son Wolfgang, and three dogs, Lucky, Sig, and Rigby). 

 

"A well-educated mind will always have more questions than answers." - Helen Keller

Steve has a variety of teaching experiences. He spent 10 years working as a park ranger naturalist for the U.S. National Park Service and also lived and taught overseas in Malawi, Africa, as a volunteer with the U.S. Peace Corps. Since then, Steve has made a career out of teaching middle school science in the independent school environment, most recently at Shorecrest Preparatory School in St. Petersburg, Florida. In searching for his next professional opportunity, Steve says he was impressed by Graland’s "dynamic community of learners and educators who embrace innovation and creativity.”

Since relocating to Colorado, Steve indulges in some of his favorite outdoor activities like hiking and camping. He especially likes to explore and “notice details” about the world around him. Steve also plays the banjo and likes to visit far off, wild places with his family.

“Not all those who wander are lost.” - J.R.R. Tolkien

Learn more about Steve Collins

 

 

 

Art teacher Andréa Crane considers the world her hometown since she’s been traveling all her life. She was born in New Zealand where her father worked for the American Embassy.

Mrs. Crane earned her bachelor’s degree in fine art with an emphasis in drawing and an art education licensure from Metropolitan State University of Denver. She also is a trained chef, with an associate's degree in culinary arts from The Culinary Institute of America in New York. In addition to teaching art to Lower and Middle School students, Andrea is a Gates Invention and Innovation coach and advisor to seventh graders.

Mrs. Crane started at Graland in 2011 as an art intern and enjoys the School’s community of staff and students. “Students show a genuine interest in learning and are always very supportive of each other,” she says.

"Never be afraid to do something new." - Anonymous

Learn more about Andréa Crane