Meet your 24/25 R5 High School Staff!

Now in my third year as the lead learner at R5 High School, I love being with my family and spending time engaging in outdoor activities. I grew up in Colorado and enjoy hiking, camping, biking, skiing, and everything else Colorado offers. I've also developed a love of reading which took me many years to grow. I enjoy reading books about how to improve myself as a person and learning from the experiences of other people. 

I am an autodidact who loves to learn and grown which has led me to the amazing work I am blessed to be able to do at R5.  I have been in education for two decades now and I continue growing each day.  I believe everyone can become whomever they want to be and I deeply enjoy encouraging our learners each day to pursue their dreams and become their best selves.  I believe there's nothing better in life than helping others. 

If you need to reach me, please email me at nick.steinmetz@d51schools.org

I was born and raised in the Grand Valley and am a proud graduate of R5 High School. 

I have worked in D51 for 18 years, 11 of those at R5, GMYSC Detention School, and the Expulsion Program.

I have two adult sons, one of whom also graduated from R5. I enjoy camping, hunting, watching football and hockey, and chasing around students at R5. I have extreme pride in our school community and love helping our students achieve their goals.

If you need to contact me, please email me at cortney.valerio@d51schools.org

I am Liza Hines and am delighted to be the counselor at R5. I am a Grand Junction native and this is my second year on the R-5 team, but I have been a high school counselor for almost 18 years!

I am a parent of a high schooler and a guardian of a couple of rescued chihuahuas. I spend my time making art, growing plants, running rapids and listening to audiobooks and podcasts. Also, I am not going to say that I watch too much Tik Tok, but I am not going to say I don't.

If you need to reach me, please email me at liza.hines@d51schools.org

I am originally from Oklahoma but have lived in Colorado for over half my life and in the Grand Valley for the past 14 years.

This makes year 9 in education and my second year at R5. I have taught middle school science and 7th-grade math. I am blessed to have discovered this hidden gem of a school! Our R5 community is the most welcoming where people are uplifting towards one another and valued. This quarter, I am excited to blend my love of science and yoga for a club on Fridays, Science of Mindfulness. When not working, I love hanging out with my pupperdoodles, Daisy and Buddy. You can also find me taking classes to learn new things, pondering the cosmos, hiking, snowboarding, or taking a road trip!

“The value of an education in a liberal arts college is not the learning of many facts, but the training of the mind to think something that cannot be learned from textbooks.”- Einstein, 1921

If you need to reach me, please email me at michelle.thomas@d51schools.org

Hi! I am Katie Allender, a Restorative Practice Interventionist but formerly an ELA teacher. This will be my eighth year in education and fifth year at R5 High School.

My favorite part of working at R5 is building relationships with our learners and helping to problem solve the varied obstacles that life throws at each of them.

Outside of work, some of my favorite pastimes include my two kids, reading, running with my pup (Dobbs), and being outdoors and in the sunshine. Laughing and smiling are my favorite! 

If you need to reach me, please email me at katie.allender@d51schools.org

I was born in Colorado Springs. I was adopted when I was 2 months old and have lived in Grand Junction since.    

I earned a business degree from CMU and my Teacher Licensure from Western State College.  

This is my 5th year at R5 High School after teaching middle school and elementary school for 12 years.  I love my job at R5.    

When I am not at school I love hanging out with my kids more than anything.  I have been blessed to be able to coach both of my kids in sports for many, many seasons.   I am currently coaching my daughter’s basketball teams and watching her play and helping her is the highlight of my life.

If you need to reach me, please email me at mike.hirons@d51schools.org

Hi there!

I’m Dionna Martinez, but everyone calls me Dee.

I am a behavioral para and this will be my fourth year here at R5. I love being able to build relationships with our learners and being a listening ear for them. I was born and raised here in Grand Junction, Colorado and outside of work I love reading, watching movies and spending time with my daughter and family.

I am always trying to have a positive point of view and you can always catch me laughing or with a smile on my face.

If you need to reach me, please email me at dionna.martinez@d51schools.org

I am thrilled to be teaching at R5 this year.

I was raised in Grand Junction and attended Fruita Monument High School.  After graduating from FMHS, I attended Mesa College and earned a BA in English and earned a MAT in Humanities from Colorado College.   I began my teaching career at Central High School  in 1987 where I taught English and directed the theater program.  I transferred to FMHS and worked there from 1990-1994 teaching English and directing theater.  In 1994, I transferred to Grand Junction High School.  I taught English and Music Theater and was the Orange and Black adviser until 2018. 

In 2018, my husband and I moved to Galena, Alaska which is a small village on the Yukon River in interior Alaska.  I taught English and was the theater director, Drama, Debate and Forensics coach, Jr/Sr class adviser, National Honor Society Adviser and the Educators Rising adviser.  

In 2023, we moved back to Grand Junction in order to spend time with our six wonderful grand children and their parents.  We have four grown sons and three terrific daughters-in-law.  When I'm not teaching, I love to travel.  I've been all over the world and have loved seeing many iconic places and learning about people and culture.  .  In my spare time, I sew, crochet, read, hang out with my grand children  and play with my new puppy, Pearle.

If you need to reach me, please email me at sutton.casey@d51schools.org

I'm a person in progress who is learning and growing each day. I enjoy getting to know people, spending time with family and friends, having fun, adventuring in the outdoors, working out, listening to music, and eating chips and salsa!

This is my second year at R-5 teaching ELA and I can honestly say I enjoy being here with everyone each day.

One interesting fact about me, is I own **at least** 150 rubber ducks - they are my favorite animal. Yes, I know what I said.

My favorite quote is: "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't - you're right." --Ralph Waldo Emerson

If you need to reach me, please email me at candace.jay@d51schools.org

Mario Morales is a Grand Junction native joining the R5 team after two years as a Mentor at Colorado Mesa University.

Mario has two children, a teen and a seven year old. He spends his time coaching esports at CMU, reading, watching movies and spending time with his kids. Mario enjoys hiking, camping and kayaking as well.

Mario is thrilled to be an ELA teacher here at R5, and taught for six years at Fruita Monument High School and spent a year teaching overseas in Japan as well. He is ready and excited to meet and connect with students!

If you need to reach me, please email me at mario.morales@d51schools.org

Hi, I'm Forrest.  I teach math here at R5.  I am a second-generation American who runs a small rance.  The river is my second home.  If I'm not working, that's where you can probably find me.

'We have an unknown distance yet to run, an unknown river to explore'. - John Wesley Powell

If you need to reach me, please email me at forrest.diaz@d51schools.org

Hi! My name is Kauai Alpha Fitt and I was lucky enough to grow up in Grand Junction, taking full advantage of everything the Grand Valley had to offer!

I graduated from Engineering College at CU Boulder and accepted a job that moved me straight up to Alaska.  I spent over a decade living in Alaska and loved every minute of it, but once our family began to grow, we decided to move back down to the 'Lower 48'.

This is my first year teaching, and I am thrilled to be sharing my passion for math with our R5 students.  I believe feeling comfortable with math is crucial in life, and I am looking forward to helping our students along their individual high school math adventures.

Grand Junction is, and always has been, my home.  There is no place in the world that I would rather play outdoors and raise our boys!  When I am not working, you can find me trying out a new recipe, landscaping our never-ending yard, practicing yoga, falling trees at the cabin, or attending our boys' basketball games. 

The light in me sees the light in you.  Namaste.

If you need to reach me, please email me at kauai.fitt@d51schools.org

Before joining R5, I was a track & field coach and a sport psychology consultant.  I work with all sorts of students and athletes of all ages.

I also taught Nutrition, Sport Psychology, and Coaching courses at Adams State University in Colorado and Ave Maria University in Florida. I enjoy hiking and running on the trails with my wife Riley and our dog Rod.

If you need to reach me, please email me at brian.glassey@d51schools.org

My name is Christine Harty and I am so excited and honored to be at R5 teaching science!

I received my bachelors in Fish and Wildlife Biology which took me on countless adventures throughout the western US.  My love for nature and the outdoors eventually pulled me towards education where I could share my passions with younger generations.  This will be my 16th year teaching and am looking forward to learning and growing with the learners at R5! 

In my spare time I enjoy being with my husband and two kids exploring the outdoors and all that Grand Junction has to offer.

"We are all connected.  To each other, biologically.  To the Earth, chemically.  To the rest of the universe, atomically." Neil deGrasse Tyson

If you need to reach me, please email me at christine.harty@d51schools.org

Interesting things about me coming soon!

If you need to reach me, please email me at JD.Sheffield@d51schools.org

This is my 6th year at R5 High School. I am a native of Grand Junction, graduating from Grand Junction HS and earning my undergraduate degree from Colorado Mesa University in History.  Currently working on my MA in American History through Gettysburg College.

Favorite Book- Anything from Rick Atkinson and Timothy Snyder

 Hobbies- Taking advantage of Colorado's beautiful scenery! Hiking, Hunting, fishing, Gravel riding, road bike riding.  I also love sitting on the beach doing absolutely nothing!

Quote(s):  "Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail." ---Ralph Waldo Emerson

"I can alter my life by altering my attitude. He who would have nothing to do with thorns must never attempt to gather flowers."---Henry David Thoreau

If you need to reach me, please email me at jon.mariz@d51schools.org

Interesting fact: I love bike races, vintage postcards, and exploring our beautiful state! 

Quote: "Wildness reminds us what it means to be human, what we are connected to rather than what we are separate from."

― Terry Tempest Williams

If you need to reach me, please email me at

jessica.wells-longshore@d51schools.org

My name is Amy Hrubes.

This school year is my 5th year at R-5 High School and my 13th year of teaching!

I was born and raised in the Seattle area, but have lived in the Grand Valley since 2007.

My background is in teaching Math, English, and Special Education. I truly love my job and working with the learners and staff at R-5!

When I'm not working, you can find me enjoying the outdoors hiking, paddleboarding, camping, and skiing with my family. I absolutely love being in the fresh air, watching college basketball, and cheering our three kids on in all their favorite activities.

If you need to reach me, please email me at amy.hrubes@d51schools.org

My name is Jennifer Reid and I was born and raised in Grand Junction.

I have worked at R-5 for 10 years, first as a para and for the last five years as a special education teacher.

Fun fact: I am an R-5 graduate! I love hanging out with my family (I love spending time with my daughters!) I love my shih tzu- poodle Zoey. I love traveling anywhere a plane or car will take me but especially the beach, and I love going to concerts! R-5 is my passion and I hope to work here for as long as I work!

If you need to reach me, please email me at jennifer.reid@d51schools.org

Hello, My name is Kassie Heit. I am the Director of the Young Parent Program Child Care Center at R-5 High School. This is my third full year as the director. I have been with R-5 High School for 5 ½ years. I have been in the Early Childhood field since Oct 2016, in which I graduated in May 2019 from CMU with 2 of my Early Childhood Certificates and this December I will graduate with the last 2 Early Childhood Certificates CMU has to offer.

My family and I have lived in the Grand Junction area for 11 years. We came from Houston, TX. I have been married to my wonderful husband for 12 years. I have 2 children. I have a 2 ½ year old grandson and he is my everything when I am not at work. 

I volunteer with my church children's groups on Sundays working in the church nursery during morning service and Impact Girls during evening services and Wednesdays I am helping the infant/toddlers children's ministries.

In my free time, I love hanging out with my family, binge watching all different shows and movies, and I enjoy photography and traveling when I can.

If you need to reach me, please email me at kassie.heit@d51schools.org

Aloha!

My name is Kierra Barba but everyone calls me Kia!

I work in the Young Parents Program as a teacher in the toddler room. I have been working in a daycare for about 9 years now and I love my job. I was born and raised on the Island of Kauai. I moved to Grand Junction in 2009 for college and fell in love with the outdoors that Colorado has to offer.

I love any type of food, I especially love surfing and the outdoors. I am a mother to a beautiful 2 year old boy and two dogs. They are my world. Mahalo Nui Loa =)

If you need to reach me, please email me at kierra.barba@d51schools.org

I was born in Chihuahua Mexico, lived in Clifton Co for 16 years, and married for 26 years.  My husband is originally from Cuba.  My two children Jennifer and Carlos, born in Glenwood Springs Co, two Pitbull dogs (Rocco & Chula).

I love my job and I am blessed because it gives me the opportunity to be around wonderful people like children.  Every day I learn a lot from them, they are persevering, transparent, loving and with a big heart.

I enjoy fishing, camping, karaoke nights with family and friends, cooking for my family.  I consider myself good at listening to people.

I obtained by CDA Certification, (Child Development Associate Credential) at Red Rocks College in Glenwood Springs, Co.

Nací en Chihuahua México, viví en Clifton Co durante 16 años y estuve casado durante 26 años.  Mi marido es originario de Cuba.  Mis dos hijos Jennifer y Carlos, nacidos en Glenwood Springs Co, dos perros Pitbull (Rocco y Chula).

Amo mi trabajo y me siento bendecido porque me da la oportunidad de estar rodeado de personas maravillosas como los niños.  Cada día aprendo mucho de ellos, son perseverantes, transparentes, cariñosos y de gran corazón.

Disfruto pescar, acampar, noches de karaoke con familiares y amigos, cocinar para mi familia.  Me considero bueno escuchando a la gente.

Obtuve mediante Certificación CDA, (Credencial de Asociado en Desarrollo Infantil) en Red Rocks College en Glenwood Springs, Co.

If you need to reach me, please email me at maria.castillo@d51schools.org

Hello, my name is Jeanie Eccher.

I have been with the R-5 High School Young Parent Program for 8 years as an Early Childhood Lead Teacher in the infant room. I have been in the Early Childhood field for over 40 years with all ages. I graduated from CMU in May of 2024 with a certificate in Early Childhood.

My passion has always been working and caring for young children, and being a good role model for young parents in our program. I am married to my husband of 38 years. We have two adult kids and I am a proud first time grandma to my grandson. 

If you need to reach me, please email me at jeanie.eccher@d51schools.org

Hello my name is Caleen Street.

I have been with the R-5 High School Young Parent Program for 18 years as an Early Childhood Lead Teacher in the infant room. 

I graduated from CMU in May of 2024 with a certificate in Early Childhood. We have two beautiful daughters, 2 son-in-laws, and 3 wonderful grandkids, they are my everything including my kitty Baby. I enjoy spending time with my family, shopping, and watching movies.

If you need to reach me, please email me at caleen.street@d51schools.org

My name is Lindsey and this is my 4th year at R5 High School. 

I am the building secretary so my job is to take care of all of the behind the scenes stuff.  If your kiddos need a bus for a field trip - that's me.  If we have to order special supplies for special projects - that's me too.  And if we send out a newsletter - I'm the one that puts it all together! 

I've lived in the Grand Valley my entire life and graduated from Central High School.  I have three children - one daughter that is enrolled at CMU, one son that just graduated from Grand Junction High School, and one puppydog that might as well be my child.  

I love working at R5. We are here to support, teach, and encourage not only your learners, but the staff too.  We are all works in progress!

If you need to reach me, please email me at lindsey.chitwood@d51schools.org

Hi, I’m Nicole Lee.

The 24/25 school year marks my 6th year with R5 High School and my 4th year as the Registrar. 

I was a stay at home mom before I started at R5 and have enjoyed the relationships I have built with our students and my coworkers.

I love animals and people like to tease that we have a mini zoo!  We have 2 box turtles (that I have had since I was 8 years old), a bearded dragon, 3 dogs, 2 cats and 2 guinea pigs (one is a skinny pig, a hairless guinea pig).  I also have 2 beautiful daughters who keep me busy with cheer, track and competitive dance.  I have been married to my husband Mark for 18 years this year.  When we aren’t traveling for cheer or dance or at football games on Friday nights we love to go camping, boating or be out riding our townie bikes.

If you need to reach me, please email me at nicole.lee2@d51schools.org

I am Miss Katherine and this is my 7th year at R5 High School and my 19th year within District 51. I can typically be found hanging out with friends and family, at a heavy metal concert or in Disneyland.

My motto is to always be kind and treat others like you want to be treated. 

If you need a hug, come find me!

If you need to reach me, please email me at katherine.oleary@d51schools.org

Sabrina is a Registered Nurse who went to Fort Lewis College and graduated with a Degree in Interpretive Science in Outdoor Education.

She worked as a EMT-I/Fire Fighter reservist and volunteer with Durango Fire and Rescue for 7 years before attending Regis University for her Bachelors of Science in Nursing.

She has been an RN for 10+ years and lives in Fruita with her husband and soon to be 8 year old son.

She loves to paint and has her own small fine arts business. Sabrina and her family enjoy rafting, camping, skiing, mountain biking, hiking and traveling.. This is her 6th year as a school nurse with R5 and loves its school culture and students.

If you need to reach me, please email me at sabrina.motta@d51schools.org

Interesting things about me coming soon!

If you need to reach me, please email me at julia.reiner@d51schools.org