New Skinner 6th graders are excited about their new school! They're making new friends and loving their classes and 6th grade core teachers. As new 6th grader Sarah said, "I love Skinner, especially my teachers."
So we'd like to introduce you to Skinner's excellent 6th grade core team:
Jessica Goebel
Jessica is from San Diego, California. She attended the University of Southern California where she studied Communication and Cinematic Arts. Jessica has been teaching for four years, this is her second at Skinner. Jessica also worked at MTV News as well as in the press office for the mayor of Los Angeles. Her mom inspires her to work hard and achieve her goals. Jessica’s favorite book is The Bell Jar by Silvia Plath. She enjoys the 16th Street Mall as well as all the hiking, snow, special events, venues for live music and restaurants around Denver.
- would most like to visit Peru
- favorite food is sushi
- has a grey and white striped kitty named Panther
- enjoys playing basketball, watching movies, spending time with family and friends and reading magazines
Jessica Hale
Jessica was born in Wichita Falls, Texas, but she grew up in Colorado. Jessica graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and Special Education. This is her 8th year teaching and it’s her 3rd year at Skinner. Jessica’s mother, who is an elementary school teacher, inspired her to teach and support public school. She has had a variety of jobs including substitute teaching, waitressing, and serving in the Air Force Reserve. Jessica lives in Evergreen and loves to hike and play outdoors with her family.
- has a perfect 11 month old son named Caise who loves being outside
- favorite store is Whole Foods
- loves Fuego flavored Takis (which are not found at Whole Foods)
- favorite author is David Sedaris
Christopher Martin
Christopher is from Kalamazoo, Michigan. He attended Western Michigan University where he received a degree in Secondary Education – Biology/Science. Christopher has been a teacher for four years and has been at Skinner for two years. He has held a diversity of other jobs including farm help, cook, barista, at a skateboard shop. Christopher’s college professor Dr. Bielby inspired him to teach. His favorite book is A Brief History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson. Christopher enjoys Colorado’s mild weather, low humidity, mountains, skateparks and fondly describes Denver as the “biggest little city.” He describes South America and Europe as top priorities for places he would most like to visit.
- favorite foods are pizza or anything sweet
- has a handsome cat named Ignacio
- enjoys cooking, skateboarding, biking, snowboarding, yoga, exploring and buying shoes
Meghan Nelson
Meghan is from Denver, Colorado. She studied Human Development and Family Studies at Colorado State University and earned her teaching license from Metropolitan State College of Denver. This is Meghan’s first year teaching and her second at Skinner. Meghan has always had jobs that focus on children, from being a nanny to being a mental health worker at a residential treatment home. Her mother, a teacher for 30 years, inspired Meghan to join the field of education. She enjoys reading non-fiction and two of her favorite books are A History of the World in 6 Glasses by Tom Standage, and A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah. Meghan loves hiking, biking, reading, and playing tennis in the wonderful Colorado weather.
- Would love to travel the world, starting with Africa
- Favorite foods are pizza, sushi, and tinga
- Enjoys cooking, reading, playing with her niece and nephews, and spending time with her two sisters
Luz Torres
Luz is from Juarez, Mexico. She studied Metallurgical Engineering in El Paso, TX and got her teaching license at CU Boulder. Luz has been teaching for fourteen years, 10 at Skinner. Luz also worked as a manufacturing quality control engineer as well as a chemical lab supervisor. Her personal hero is her dad, a retired middle school Biology teacher and an inspiration. She enjoys the weather and the vegetation of Colorado.
- would most like to visit Europe
- favorite foods are enchiladas and chiles rellenos
- depending on the weather, Luz enjoys riding her bicycle, watching movies, listening to music or reading science magazines
Yesterday's Denver Post put Skinner Middle School in the spotlight – the school jumped TWO levels in DPS' School Performance Framework (SPF) evaluation measuring academic achievement, growth, engagement and parent satisfaction. Skinner is now a "green" school.
