CIVA Staff Bio's
Betsy Acree McClenahan Artist in Residence
Ms. McClenahan (Ms. Betsy to her CIVA students) is Artist in Residence at CIVA Charter High School. When not at CIVA, Ms. McClenahan is the Program Director for Kaleidoscope Arts Project, a program of Imagination Celebration as well at the Artistic Director of Kaleidoscope Dance Project, a semi-professional dance company showcasing the Pikes Peak region’s premiere dancers. With more than forty years of experience teaching dance and theater arts, Ms. McClenahan is passionate about the thriving arts program at CIVA and coordinates performing arts experiences for Ravens throughout the community. In 2010, Ms. McClenahan helped to create the What If Festival of Innovation which now reaches more than 30,000 visitors to the Pikes Peak region and is on the Board of the Colorado Springs Dance Theater and Arts and Business Education Consortium.
Holly Archer Science Teacher
Ms. Archer earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Vermont and her Master of Science from San Francisco State University. Prior to her arrival at CIVA she worked in molecular biology and ecology labs in San Diego, San Francisco, and more locally at the University of Colorado in Boulder and Colorado State University in Fort Collins. After nearly 13 years as a professional scientist, she decided to leave the lab and pursue another one of her passions, teaching! She maintains many professional and personal connections to the scientific community and is particularly excited to use these connections to the benefit of her students. Ms. Archer is an enthusiastic lifelong learner, and feels that being curious and well-informed is the key to an exciting and successful life! When Ms. Archer isn't teaching Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, or Health, she enjoys hiking, backpacking, and attempting to learn new languages.
Keith Benson Math Teacher
Mr. Benson teachers math and economics. He became a teacher after watching public education take a back seat to most other priorities and knowing that since most problems in our society are rooted in inadequate schooling, wanted to be part of the solution. Mr. Benson has been fortunate to have traveled to 35 countries so loves how CIVA embraces our international students. He is proud of the academic success that CIVA has achieved as SAT scores have trended upwards during the time he’s been at CIVA. Go Ravens!
Jake Daly English/Spanish Teacher
Mx. Daly is currently in their second year teaching at CIVA and is happy to be a part of this wonderful learning community. CIVA provides an educational experience that escapes the common pitfalls of public education that kept Daly away from teaching for so long. Now as an educator, Mx. Daly gets to share their love of language in all its forms and expressions, and help students to not only learn the content but to also learn how to teach themselves and grow in their own personal studies. Mx. Daly believes the most important thing that they can teach the students of CIVA is not in the books that are read, the vocabulary that is memorized, or even the skills that are learned, though these are all important. No, the most important thing is teaching students how to think for themselves and embrace the learning process that creates lifelong growth.
Outside of the classroom, Mx. Daly enjoys a wide variety of hobbies including: chess, rock climbing, lightsaber choreography, musical theatre, dungeons & dragons, and video games. They are very glad to be able to incorporate some of these passions into extracurricular activities for CIVA's student body; such as lightsaber club.
Crystal Dane Registrar
Bio coming soon!
Krasen Daskalov Social Studies Teacher
Krasen Daskalov is from Sofia, Bulgaria where he graduated from the Spanish Language High School “Miguel de Cervantes” in 1996. He studied International Relations at the University of National and World Economy and pursued his first Master's degree in European Studies at New Bulgarian University. In 2002 he moved to Italy and graduated from the University of Bologna with M.A. in European Policy Studies. He moved to the United States in 2004 and spent the following 12 years in Aspen, CO where he developed an appreciation for the beauty and lifestyle of Colorado. In 2016 he finished a postgraduate degree in Education from Colorado Mesa University and moved to Colorado Springs. This is his sixth year with CIVA Charter School where he teaches United States history, European history, and Global Politics, employing his rich life experiences and passion for history, teaching, and world affairs. He uses proven and innovative educational practices in order to prepare our students for the rigors of college, and life.
Sean Dineen Social Studies/English Teacher
Going into the fourteenth year of his CIVA career, Mr. Dineen has filled many roles: from teaching music and directing musicals to coaching multiple sports to his current roles in the English and social studies departments. His bachelor's degree in English education and his Master's degree in religious education make him qualified for the job, but he feels, and many of his students throughout his career have validated, that it is his creativity, humor, and concern for the student as an individual that makes him most effective in his job. Mr. Dineen actually made his first contact with Headmaster Zimmerman as a parent rather than as a potential employee, and now has a CIVA graduate as well as a junior enjoying her third year at CIVA. “I don't think I could give a better compliment to nor express my faith in CIVA any better than by the fact that it's the school I chose for my own kids. It has been amazing seeing CIVA grow over these past thirteen years (including getting top scores on standardized testing and the SAT in the district), and I'm extremely excited to see how we can continue to grow moving forward."
Melissa Hills Math Teacher
Melissa Hills is a native of Wisconsin where she attended the University of WI – Milwaukee. She graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s of Science in Secondary Education and Mathematics. After graduating in 2007, she relocated to Yuma, AZ where she helped to open a large new high school and was the department chair. After 5 years of teaching, she changed careers and worked alongside the Marine Corp. Melissa worked to help develop curriculum for the Marine Corps' advanced flight school. Eventually, Mrs. Hills relocated to the beautiful state of Colorado. She has a passion for reinvigorating student’s interest in mathematics. Her other passions are enjoying the great outdoors, trail running, and enjoying her family life with her husband and son.
Sarah Hogan Yoga Teacher
Sarah stumbled upon yoga twenty five years ago. Once found, the practice became a passion and a way back to herself during seasons of challenge . She has spent time training and instructing in trauma-sensitive, restorative, vinyasa and neurogenic tremoring yoga practices.
Sarah offers expertise, experience and centering to her classes. Her focus is on getting you to move from the big picture, to a more nuanced experience in your body, and to leave class with a well regulated nervous system. She is thrilled to share what she loves, emphasizing safe movement, gentle breath and patient attention. She endeavors to provide you the opportunity to identify truth in your body and to feel companioned in your practice.
Besides being a yogi, Sarah is a boy mom, dog trainer, naturalist and cinephile.
Teddy Lynam Music Teacher
Teddy joined the CIVA family in 2021 after his internship with the previous music teachers. This internship took place right as the pandemic began in March 2020; a baptism by fire into the world of teaching. He has an undergraduate degree in K-12 Music Education from the University of Northern Colorado where he performed in their nationally recognized Wind Ensemble. His primary instruments are the clarinet and saxophone, although he also has experience singing in choirs. In May of 2023, he had the wonderful opportunity to perform "Carmina Burana" with the UNC Choirs at Carnegie Hall in NYC. He plays and performs on the clarinet with the Woodland Park Wind Symphony and on trombone with the New Horizons Symphonic Band. Teddy previously directed the Sonic Harvest New Music Chamber Orchestra in Northern Colorado - an ensemble that recorded and performed music made specifically by living composers. Rock climbing is one of his favorite past times, along with camping, hiking, writing, volunteering in the community, and gardening. Teddy adores the community at CIVA l and always looks forward to another year of music-making with everyone!
Malerie Madson Dance Teacher
Mrs. Madson grew up in Tempe, AZ and became a Royal Academy of Dance Majors Member. However, the lights of New York City beckoned and at 18, she moved to the “Big Apple”. In the spring of 2008 Malerie graduated from Wagner College with a B.A. in Musical Theater Performance and a minor in dance. During her undergraduate work she had the opportunity to intern both at Dance Magazine in Manhattan and Dance/USA in Washington D.C. In 2010 Malerie received her M.A. degree from New York University in Teaching Dance in Higher Education and The Professions with a concentration in ABT Pedagogy. She is a certified teacher of the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum for level Primary-7. She has worked over the last decade at professional regional theatres around the country as an actress and dancer in musical theatre productions. She has also worked teaching Fitness and Health at Northern Arizona University, Mesa Community College, Lifetime Fitness and Club Q. Her dance teaching experience ranges from ages 4-18 at schools, academies and privately owned studios. She is excited to share her fitness and dance experience with the CIVA students!
Nick Madson Theatre Teacher
Mr. Madson is excited to be teaching theatre here at CIVA in his hometown of Colorado Springs. A graduate of Oklahoma City University's prestigious performing arts program, Nick studied theatre, musical theatre, dance, and music. After college, Nick moved to New York City and traveled the world as a professional performer. After more than 2 decades of performing in theatre and television, Nick continues to perform, but is very excited to work with the students of CIVA. Having worked and performed alongside names like Zoe Caldwell, Kristin Chenoweth, Kelli O'Hara, Donald O'Conner and many others, he is thrilled to have a chance to pass along the invaluable lessons and skills he gained to those who may not have the same opportunities to learn directly from such wonderful performers. Mr. Madson loves teaching the dedication, skills, and factual realities of the performing arts to those interested in a professional performing career. At the same time, he believes theatre can teach anyone the importance of working alongside others, communication, and public speaking. Mr. Madson strives to instill an appreciation and passion for the arts at CIVA, in the community and the world large.
Dan Orraj Special Education Learning Specialist / 504 Plan Coordinator
Born in California’s Imperial Valley and raised in Yuma, AZ, Dan Orraj is CIVA’s Special Education / 504 Plan Learning Specialist & Coordinator (also highly qualified in CTE, English Language Arts, Business and Social Studies). Dan obtained his B.A. in Philosophy at St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, CA in 1979 before traveling to Europe to earn his M.A. in Philosophy at the Katholieke Universiteit te Leuven (Leuven, Belgium) in 1983. After returning to the U.S., Dan owned and operated his own insurance agency in Yuma, AZ, for 15 years before moving to Highlands Ranch, CO, in 1998. Over the next 15 years, he worked for several Fortune 500 companies including SAFECO Insurance, Citigroup/Smith Barney, and TIAA-CREF. In 2014, after obtaining a 2nd M.A. in Education (Special Education) from the University of Phoenix, he began his teaching career at Alameda International High School in Lakewood, CO. In November of 2017, Dan and his wife of 37 years, Peggy, decided to move to Colorado Springs. The 2021-2022 school year with mark Dan's 4th year teaching at CIVA. He considers it an honor to work with such an exemplary group of students and educators. Dan and Peggy's 2 dogs, Emmett and Hunter (both mixed-breed rescues), ensure that “empty nest syndrome” will never be an issue.
Emilia Rivera Art Teacher
Bio coming soon.
RaeLynn Robertson English Teacher
Raelynn Robertson was born a military brat and spent most of her childhood bouncing around before settling with her family here in the springs where she graduated from Mitchell High School and went on to Adams State University. She doubled majored in English and Theatre. She joined the CIVA family for her student teaching right at the beginning of the pandemic and stay after it ended to help with in house support and supervising. Doing her student teaching and getting her license during the pandemic has been a learning experience, but she is excited and prepared to teach English and Sophomore seminar.
Elise Robinson Vice Principal/Senior Advisor
Ms. Robinson, a Colorado native, graduated from Northwest University and has been involved with mentoring teens for over 20 years. She works hard to assure that students have the support they need as they work toward achieving their goals. She has an open-door policy to meet with students to discuss schedules, post-secondary plans and share her chocolate.
Rose Souza Administrative Associate
Ms. Rose was born and brought up in Brazil and she speaks Portuguese and Spanish. She obtained a Bachelor Degree in Sports Science in Sao Paulo (Brazil) and she taught Physical Education for seven years. She lived in U.K. for seven years and travelled around the world. After moving to the USA, she earned her Masters in Business Management and worked for Grand Rapids Public Schools in Michigan from 2015 to 2017. On personal front, Ms. Rose loves hiking and camping with her dog, practicing yoga, traveling to new places, refinishing furniture, and learning new skills. She is happy to be a part of the CIVA community and looks forward to meeting everyone.
Rachel Van Scoy Science Teacher
Ms. Van Scoy is thrilled to continue teaching at CIVA. She instructs Chemistry, Environmental and Earth Science classes, and holds licensure in both secondary science and special education from CU Denver. Her background is a bit mixed; she attended Littleton Public Schools, graduated from St. Olaf College in Music History and Literature and completed a year of service while operating a farmer’s market in Minneapolis. Her first career was coaching USA Swimming, which she still does now and then, and she performs with theatrical groups in the Denver area. She is also a new mama, so take the last two things she listed and cross them out for a few years! In addition to content learning, her primary goals while working alongside this amazing student body are to improve their research skills and scientific literacy, as well as build critical thinking, problem solving and astute discussion habits.
Cole Watson English Teacher
Cole Watson is a native to Flagstaff, Arizona but he has traveled and lived around the country and the world. After returning from the Peace Corps in 2019, Cole decided that he wanted to continue serving others and shifted from his former natural resources career to education. Not only is he happy that he did so but he also finds inspiration in the classroom from his students on a daily basis. Cole has a variety of interests and hobbies, but one could probably guess, since he is an English teacher, that he likes to read and write! He also enjoys baking and gardening. He likes to think that making and growing tasty treats is a literal example of reaping what one sows, all the better if they are reaped and enjoyed with good company in beautiful places.
Chris Wolfe Video/Photography Teacher
Mr. Wolfe is a graduate of the Adam State University's Bachelor of Fine Art program. In the past, Mr. Wolfe has had the honor of collaborating on artworks for DC comics. He spends his free time with his darling daughter and further exploring the realms of digital art. He is currently on his third year teaching at CIVA.
Haley Wolfe Math/Science Teacher
This is Haley Wolfe's thirteenth year of teaching at CIVA. She currently teaches Geometry, AP Physics 1, and Pre-Algebra. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) with a double major in biology and chemistry. Mrs. Wolfe later received her teaching certificate through BOCES Teachers in Residence Program. Math has always been a great passion of hers; something she even enjoys doing for fun. She is highly qualified to teach both science and mathematics. When not teaching she enjoys spending time with her children (Violet and Carter), doing arts and crafts, and going to Disneyland!
Randy Zimmerman Executive Director
Randy Zimmerman is originally from Woodruff, Wisconsin. He is a conjectural theorist that has been very fortunate to spend his career in the field of education. He has been the Headmaster/Executive Director at CIVA Charter High School for eighteen years. He is someone who seeks to keep learning and morphing and adapting to new information. He is a father of four boys and greatly enjoys spending time with them.
He moved to Colorado to attend Denver Seminary, earning his Masters of Divinity in Philosophy of Religion. He later studied at the University of Denver in Curriculum and Instruction as well as Educational Leadership and Public Policy. In 2012, he was recognized as the ‘Colorado Charter School Leader of the Year’ by the Colorado League of Charter Schools.
Regarding school leadership he believes, the role of education is to build the source and to inspire curiosity. People are inherently curious, schools should foster this natural inclination. Our curiosity is even more enhanced when it is guided toward self-awareness and achievement.
Our culture and our surroundings shape our experience, they determine how likely we are to explore, to risk and to try. Our school focuses on creating an environment that supports one's sense of agency to engage and explore and express.
Having traveled to 27 different countries, his interest in promoting global/ cultural understanding is enhanced by the school’s focus on hosting international students. He has led school trips to Costa Rica, Peru, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, England, Scotland and Wales.