Get to Know Your SSSD Paraprofessionals
Soda Creek Elementary
Jennifer Brossett
Jennifer moved to Steamboat in 2003 and has over 10 years of experience in education, including many years teaching preschool and helping establish the Montessori Charter School. She has three children—two now in New England schools and one entering 3rd grade at Soda Creek. Excited to begin her new role as a paraprofessional, she looks forward to connecting with students and finding the best ways to support families and educators.
Julie Cullen
Originally from Illinois, Julie has called Steamboat home for the past 4½ years. She brings 23 years of experience as a paraprofessional and is the proud mom of three grown children and grandmother to two. Julie loves hiking, kayaking, and spending time outdoors. She finds joy in watching each child grow at their own pace and enjoys adapting curriculum to keep students engaged in class. She considers consistency and academics her strengths and looks forward to seeing students she has supported become more independent as they move on to middle school.
Loretta Mosbarger
Originally from Littleton, Colorado, Loretta is in her third year in education. She enjoys hiking with her dog Willow, kayaking, and playing tennis. Loretta recently became a grandmother to two boys and treasures her time with them. She finds it deeply rewarding to help students reach their goals and is looking forward to both meeting new students and continuing to support those she already knows.
Jessica Violette
Jessica was raised in Boulder after being born in Riverside, California. With over 15 years in education, she has always been surrounded by children, including her five younger siblings, and has found her passion working with them. Jessica enjoys camping, hiking, fishing, concerts, and time on the lake near her home in Stagecoach. She is the proud mom of a son who is a junior at Steamboat Springs High School. Jessica loves working with children and is excited to get to know the new students this year.
Strawberry Park Elementary
Katie Kuc
Katie is originally from Tucson and has lived in five different states. With five years of experience in education and a degree in special education (mild/moderate), she is enjoying all that Steamboat has to offer. Katie is also known for her large earring collection, which she changes daily. She finds it fascinating to watch students strive to reach their full potential, believing the right foundation can help them achieve anything. This year, she looks forward to focusing on what she can control and not stressing over the rest.
Jessica Mergen
Jessica is originally from Minnesota and is entering her third year in education. She shares her home with two cats and is passionate about building trusting relationships with students to help them grow. She finds this work incredibly rewarding and is grateful to be part of the supportive Strawberry Park team.
Katie McElhinney
Born and raised in Routt County, Katie is a proud local from Yampa, Colorado. She has five years of experience in education and is the mother of two children. Katie enjoys working with students to help them reach their potential and values her role as an advocate for children. She is currently working on completing her degree and is excited about this next step.
Kenda Thvedt
Kenda grew up in Kansas and has worked in education for six years. She has lived in Steamboat for more than 20 years, where she and her husband raised their three children. She now has two grandsons who bring her great joy. Kenda values the opportunity to support students during their most important years, especially building their confidence and celebrating their growth. This year, she is excited to welcome and work with the new kindergarten class.
Ashleigh Tibbetts
Ashleigh is from Yampa, Colorado, and has five years of experience in education. A proud mom of two boys, she was born and raised in Steamboat and is currently completing her teaching degree. Ashleigh loves watching students grow academically and personally, celebrating their achievements along the way. This year, she looks forward to finishing her degree and hearing about her students’ summer adventures as they start a new year of learning.
Sleeping Giant School
Kirsten Delaney
Kirsten was born in Minnesota and moved to Steamboat as a high school freshman. She began working in education last year as she pursues her goal of a degree in art therapy. She enjoys art, music, travel, and outdoor activities. Kirsten finds meaning in supporting children during some of the most important and exploratory years of their lives. This year, she is excited to deepen her connections with the students she met last year.
Hannah duMont
Hannah is from Massachusetts and has lived in Steamboat for three years. This is her second year in education. She enjoys snowboarding, yoga, arts and crafts, hiking, reading, and spending time with friends. Hannah loves Halloween and can’t wait for fall! She finds working with children both fun and healing, describing it as a rewarding career. She looks forward to new challenges this year and continuing to grow in her role.
Nisty Tharp
Nisty is originally from Boulder and has lived in Steamboat for just over a year, where she has family nearby. With five years of experience in education, she has taught both high school and elementary art. Nisty enjoys spending time with her dog and has a love for Thai food. She values working one-on-one with students who need extra support and looks forward to helping them grow socially, emotionally, and academically this year.
Steamboat Springs Middle School
Will Donohue
Originally from San Francisco, Will is beginning his first year as a paraprofessional after graduating from college in December 2024 with a degree in psychology. His background includes working with adaptive recreation programs, outdoor literacy adventure camps, Montessori classrooms, and schools for neurodivergent students. Will fell in love with the Steamboat community while living here last winter and is excited to begin his career in education. He looks forward to connecting with students, supporting them in the classroom, and growing in his professional journey.
Sharon Irwin
Sharon grew up in Illinois and brings 21 years of experience in education. As she nears retirement, she is excited to spend this year focusing on building connections with her students while keeping a healthy work-life balance.
Mandy Maass
Mandy grew up on a farm near Ellsworth, Iowa, and brings 16 years of experience working with kids in many roles, including as a paraprofessional, substitute teacher, and high school English teacher. She lives in Oak Creek with her husband, Jason, who works for the Forest Service; their daughter, Poe; their son, Rohan; and their dog, Peanut. Mandy loves traveling, reading, and is currently hosting a Jane Austen Book Club in honor of Austen’s 250th birthday. She also serves on the boards of the South Routt Library Friends and the Steamboat Springs Education Fund. Mandy is excited to return to working with middle schoolers and looks forward to the one-on-one and small group work that drew her back to this role.
Maddy Rodriguez
Maddy is from Houston, Texas, and has lived in Steamboat for five years. She recently graduated from CMC and has four years of experience in education. Maddy has a personal connection to special education through her older brother, who has Down syndrome, and is passionate about helping students find their voice. She looks forward to working across all the schools and getting to know more students and staff this year.
Mariah Starbuck
Mariah grew up in Steamboat Springs and is entering her fifth year with the district. She has a background in the medical field and continues to work as a Physical Therapist Assistant at Casey’s Pond a few mornings each week. Inspired by her mom, who ran a home daycare, Mariah knew from a young age that she wanted to work with kids. She enjoys seeing students’ growth over the school year, both academically and socially, and looks forward to continuing to support their progress in the classroom.
Steamboat Springs High School
Gina Norton
Gina is originally from Minnesota and has four years of experience in education. She enjoys teaching life skills and adapting education so that every student can participate meaningfully. Gina appreciates the variety and challenges that each school day brings and values the lasting connections she builds with students and staff. She looks forward to seeing her students reach new goals and develop lifelong skills this year.
Transportation
Dana Anderson, Bus Paraprofessional
Dana grew up in San Francisco and is beginning her first year in education after a 15-year career in the medical field. She is excited to begin working with students and building connections through her new role in bus transportation.