Our Team

Jen is originally from New Jersey… South Jersey. Just a 15 minute drive over the bridge to Philly! You might hear her “accent” when you talk to her. She moved to Breckenridge, Colorado in 2017 with her husband Bobby and dog Moose. (You’ll definitely see Moose around Sacramento Creek Ranch – begging for love!) They immediately knew they belonged in the mountains and that this was the place where they wanted to raise a family. They have been living in Placer Valley (Alma) since 2019.

When she’s not working, Jen stays busy playing outside and spending time with her family. She has a 6 year old daughter, Ziggy who attends HRCS and is in kindergarten. Some of her hobbies are mountain biking, snowboarding, splitboarding, cross country skiing, hiking, yoga, and baking bread. She also spent a lot of time “down the shore” surfing when she lived in NJ.

Jen has been teaching since 2017. She began her career at Breckenridge Elementary as the k-5 Special Education teacher. She built some really meaningful relationships with her students and discovered how to individualize her teaching to meet the needs of the many diverse learners. Mrs. Noto has been a friend of Jen’s since 2017, so when she reached out to Jen about a teaching opportunity at HRCS, Jen was stoked because her true passions are now aligned with her career.

Jo is a Vermont native who has been living in Fairplay for 4 years. She is the Assistant Unit Director of the Boys & Girls Club in Fairplay, has taught at the school on and off since 2020, and loves being involved in her mountain community in any way she can. She has her B.S. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Champlain College. Youth development has always been a passion of hers and she is excited to be part of the High Rockies Community School family.

Julia is a fifth-generation Coloradan who feels deeply connected to the mountains and landscapes that have shaped her life. In 2024, she and her husband Jeff moved to Fairplay and quickly fell in love with the community and the surrounding wilderness. Mount Silverheels has long been a favorite peak of hers, and living so close to it now feels especially meaningful. Jeff serves as the Program Manager and Education Coordinator for Malt, the organization that owns Sacramento Creek Ranch and partners with High Rockies. Our family lives and works on the ranch property, so you will be sure to see the Jordan’s while you are here.

At home, Julia stays busy with her one-year-old daughter, Eleanor, along with their black dog Lula, who visitors may see around, and two cats, Tapa and Tio. When she’s not teaching, Julia enjoys hiking, backpacking, and skiing both downhill and cross-country. She enjoys listening to podcasts, as well as, playing backgammon or cribbage.

Julia has been teaching since 2016. She began her career at an expeditionary learning school in Denver, where she developed a passion for hands-on, place-based education. That path ultimately led her to outdoor education, and she is thrilled to be teaching at High Rockies where learning, nature, and community come together.

Kristine has a Bachelor’s degree in Science from Colorado Christian University and a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology from UC Denver. She started her career teaching outdoor education at Denver Audubon where she guided kids as they discovered the birds, wildlife, and pond creatures that lived in Chatfield. She transitioned into teaching in 2014 where she taught 4th grade for 3 years at charter schools in Denver and then taught 8th grade science in Bailey for 4 years. In 2021, Kristine started Curiosity Clubhouse to provide enrichment opportunities for students in Park County. She has owned and operated this business for the past 4 years offering STEAM enrichment programs on Fridays and in the Summer. Kristine is an avid birder, hiker, naturalist and reader who enjoys exploring the world around her.

Laura Noto is a passionate educator with over a decade of teaching experience working with diverse learners. She holds a BA in Elementary Education, Special Education, and Psychology as well as a Master of Education in Literacy from Wagner College. She began her teaching career in the New York City Public School System in Brooklyn, NY, before moving to Colorado and teaching in various rural mountain communities before finding her home at HRCS.

Laura has held numerous roles in education throughout her career including classroom teacher, Special Education teacher, English Language Learner teacher, Title 1 Interventionist, Literacy Coach, and at times even substitute principal. She is a lifelong learner who continues to grow her expertise through classes and training, and she loves sharing that knowledge with students and other educators.

Laura grew up in Pennsylvania playing sports, was a Division 1 Water Polo goalie in college, and has coached water polo, basketball, and the Girls on the Run program. She is also a published author, contributing her Master’s thesis as a chapter in the Handbook of Research on Effective Communication in Culturally Diverse Classrooms. When not educating, Laura enjoys hiking, skiing, sailing, reading, and spending time with her family.

Laurel Dumas is a dedicated and passionate leader with over 20 years of experience in education. Her career began as a paraeducator, evolving through roles as a Teacher, Gifted and Talented Coordinator, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and Principal. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and a Master’s degree in Teaching Mathematics. With a deep-rooted passion for teaching, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her current role as Head of School.

During high school, Laurel served as a student board member on the local school board, an early indication of her commitment to educational leadership. Over the past four years, she has honed her leadership skills, and now serves as a coach for principals in the Early Literacy Pathway in the Colorado Department of Education’s Principal Leadership Institute.

A true mountain mom, Laurel enjoys hiking and rock climbing with her husband and 7-year-old daughter, as well as watching live music and trying new vegan recipes. She is an avid reader and lifelong learner, always seeking new knowledge and experiences.

With her extensive background in education, leadership, and a genuine passion for teaching, Laurel continues to inspire and lead with a focus on fostering a love for learning in every student and educator.

Shannon is from the Arizona desert but is a mountain girl at heart. She fell in love with the Colorado Rockies when she lived in Keystone in 2021. She returned to Colorado in 2023, relocating to Fairplay while working as the Grant and Community Partnership Manager for Summit County Government. She has a background in teaching, school administration, special education, early childhood programs, and grant funding, with over 17 years of leadership experience that includes system building, strategic planning, and community partnerships. She has a B.A. in Elementary Education from Arizona State University and an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University. Shannon loves spending time outside with her dogs, playing games with friends and family, and contributing to her community.