This is my first term serving on the DCSM Board of Directors.  Being a member of the Board has been a very rewarding and educational experience.  I have been an active volunteer at the school since my children began attending DCS Montessori.  My daughter Gabby started as a P4 and is now in 3rdgrade.  My sons, Andrew and Alex, also started as P4’s and are currently in 2nd grade.   My husband John and I are both children of educators, so finding the right school for our children was very important.   We believe in the Montessori philosophy and have been thrilled with the education our children have received at DCSM over the years.

I was raised in Central Illinois and have a Bachelors degree in Economics from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana.  Prior to starting a family, I worked in the Financial Services industry in a variety of channels; most recently, as a Regional Sales Director for a Global Foreign Currency Company.

My husband and I have been married for 11 years and have lived in Castle Rock since 2007.  We are very blessed to have our families close by in the Denver metro area.  We enjoy spending our free time traveling and getting together with our family and friends.

Jillaina Wachendorf has been an active volunteer at DCSM since the 2003/04 school year.  Over the years, she has served in nearly every leadership role available to parent volunteers and has thoroughly enjoyed them all.  Her daughter, Samantha, completed 1^st through 6^th grade at DCS and was excellently prepared for middle school.  Sami will be starting the International Baccalaureate program at Douglas County High School next year.  Her son, Ethan joined DCS at age 3 and is now rockin’ 5^th grade. Jillaina is committed to the Montessori philosophy and passionate about the success of DCSM.  She is grateful to have a public charter school offering this curriculum.  Jillaina retired from her career as a senior executive in the cable and satellite communications industry seven years ago in order to spend time with her family.

I was elected to the Board beginning the 2009-2010 school year.  I graduated with Bachelor degrees in Psychology and English Literature from Washington University in St. Louis, and received a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver.  I am now a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and have worked with children and adults with AD/HD, learning problems, behavioral issues and mood disturbances using Quantitative EEG and neurofeedback for the past 19 years.  In addition, I have a private practice providing psychotherapy for adults.  I have 4 children at DCS Montessori who have attended since their pre-3 year. I chose DCS Montessori after undergraduate studies in education led me to view the Montessori curriculum as the best foundation for learning.

Watching my children grow, I have become even more passionate about the value and importance of Montessori education. I love being on the Board because I feel I am offering a significant contribution to the quality of the education offered at DCS Montessori and ensuring that DCS Montessori continues on a path of excellence in Montessori education.

Steve Tucker was elected to the DCS Montessori Board in 2011 as a Community representative member.  He retired from General Electric after 33 years in various positions from Aerospace Engineer, designing jet engine control systems, to college recruiter, and Program Manager of Higher Education for the GE Foundation.  He and his wife Patty moved from the east coast to Colorado in 2002 and have since been blessed with 2 grandchildren who are currently enrolled in the DCS Montessori School.  With undergraduate studies at Purdue University and graduate work at the University of Cincinnati he has a continuing interest in supporting education.

Kimberly Van Auken was born and raised in Mission Hills, Kansas.  She studied at the University of Kansas and has a B.S. in Business Administration with a minor in Spanish.  Kimberly and her husband, Matt, have lived in Colorado for ten years and have three children, ages 7, 6, and 3, all who attend DCSM.  She is an employee of the Castle Rock Recreation Center and Village Fitness Club as a group fitness instructor and teaches six classes per week.  Kimberly enjoys volunteering at DCSM, playing golf, and running in her free time.  This is her first term on the DCSM Board and she also volunteers as Room Parent in two of her children’s classes.