Coaches & Support Staff
Kristin Houser: EL & Literacy Coach
Kristin is a Denver, Colorado native. She graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelors Degree in Natural Resources Management, then earned her teaching certification through the Stanley British Primary School program. Kristin loves working with the students at Tollgate, and all of the dedicated teachers who make up the Tollgate crew. In her free time, you can find her relaxing with her husband and chocolate lab Sombra, reading books, or enjoying a cup of tea.
Email: klhouser@aurorak12.org
Carla Chavez: CLDE (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education) Teacher Leader
Carla has worked at Tollgate for one year and absolutely loves the diversity and cultures of the students at Tollgate! She has been a teacher for 20 years and worked in Aurora Public Schools for 14 of those. She enjoys being a lead learner, leader, and advocate for English Language Learners. Carla is a Colorado native and is a very HUGE Colorado State University Rams fan and alumni. She has earned two Bachelor's and a Master's Degree. Carla is a PROUD mother of two amazing young men! She has one son who is 14 and will be attending Regis Jesuit High School and another who is 23 and just graduated from Colorado State University. She spends lots of time watching her sons, nieces, and nephews compete in a variety of sports. She loves to travel, go to the movies and sporting events, shop, and spend lots of quality time with family and friends!
Email: cnchavez@aurorak12.org
Brynn Calender: CLDE (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education) Teacher Leader
Brynn Calender was born and raised in hot, sunny Arizona. There she received her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and her master's degree in Bilingual Multicultural Education from Northern Arizona University and began her teaching career. Nine years ago, she moved to Colorado and began working in APS where she felt immediate connection with the amazing students we serve! Brynn loves learning and working alongside teachers to co-create classrooms where students know they belong and thrive. She recently also became a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach with a focus on functional medicine, so she spends part of her time working with clients at a doctor's office, as well. In her downtime you can find her hiking, cheering on the Broncos, or spending time with family and friends. She's so excited to be part of the Tollgate Crew!
Email: BMCALENDER@aurorak12.org
Nicole Johnson: Social Worker
Nicole is a born and raised Colorado Native. She attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins for her Bachelor's Degree in Social work and the University of Denver for her Master's Degree in Social Work. Nicole has been a school social worker for Aurora Publics schools for the past eight years. She has been at Tollgate all eight of those years while also spending time on the district's Behavior, Evaluation and Support Team. Nicole loves helping students at Tollgate as well as working alongside our incredibly talented and dedicated staff. Outside of school, Nicole loves to camp, garden, root on the BRONCOS and spend time with her family, including her husband Charlie, dog Bradley Chubb and two cats, Champ Bailey and Von Meower.
Email: NAJOHNSON@aurorak12.org
Aimee Moncrief: Social Worker
Aimee was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. She received a bachelor’s of science in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Utah. She then moved to Denver, Colorado and recently graduated from the University of Denver with her master’s degree in Social Work. In her downtime you can find her spending time with her dog, Ralphy, practicing yoga, or reading at a coffee shop. She also enjoys anything crafty such as macramé, cross stitch or painting. She is so excited to be a part of the Tollgate Crew!
Email: AHMONCRIEF@aurorak12.org
District Nurse: Dr. Philip W Keesee ND, MSAc, BSN, RN
Philip graduated from Florida International University, Miami, FL with a Baccalaureate in Nursing in 1985. In 1993 Philip received a Masters of Science in Acupuncture, a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University, Seattle, WA. He worked in a variety of hospital nursing positions in Miami, Boston, Seattle, Hawaii, and Colorado for 26 years including Medical Surgical, Telemetry, Interventional Cardiology, and Pre and Post-op Surgery. Philip started working for Aurora Public Schools as a site-based school nurse at East Middle School in 2006 to 2011. He began working as an itinerant school nurse in 2011 to present working with Sixth Avenue, Lyn Knoll, Peoria, Virginia Court, and Tollgate Elementary Schools.
Email: PWKEESEE@aurorak12.org