Meet the Intermediate Team

3rd Grade
Blue Spruce Classroom
Ms. Stacey
I moved to Durango in 2012 for the gorgeous scenery, small town feel, and active lifestyle. I am starting my 10th year teaching in this amazing place and can't wait to grow alongside my students. I have been with Juniper since it opened in 2017 and am excited to continue the journey! I earned my Bachelor's of Science in education from Wilmington College of Ohio with specialties in English Language Arts and Science. I am also an Orton-Gillingham trained reading instructor. I attained my Master's Degree in Teacher Leadership from Fort Lewis College in the Summer of 2021. Teaching is my calling and my passion. Building a strong sense of belonging and community is one of the first priorities in my classroom! I also love getting kids actively learning in the great outdoors, and Durango is the perfect place to do so!

4th Grade
Painted Turtles Classroom
Ms. Erica
Hi all! I’m excited to kick off another year at Juniper. This school and community truly mean so much to me. I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from the University of Arizona Global Campus. Over the years, I’ve had the joy of working one on one with students, teaching kindergarten, 6th and 7th grade science, and now my favorite, fourth grade!
Outside of the classroom, you can often find me mountain biking, road biking, skiing, reading, or cooking. What I value most about teaching are those “ah ha” moments when a concept finally clicks for a student. Those moments inspire me to keep growing, learning, and becoming the best teacher I can be.
My door is always open, stop in and say hello!

5th Grade
Bighorn Sheep
Mr. Matt
I’ve been loving my active life in Durango for the past 14 years, and learning with students as a classroom teacher for 22 years. My talented wife also works at The Juniper School. Helping young people has been a family endeavor for us, and working here is an exciting change! I love free flowing rivers and board sports, and continuously find ways to challenge myself on my snowboard, skateboard, or surfboard. As a lifelong learner, and a nerd with insatiable curiosity, I find teaching to be the perfect challenge and reward for me. I aim to inspire curiosity, develop skills and confidence for our students, and contribute my experience to the phenomenal team that works here. Don’t hesitate to stop in and say hi to the new guy in 5th grade.
