Tollgate Elementary School of Expeditionary Learning

701 S. Kalispell Way, Aurora, CO 80017

303-696-0944

303-326-1221

Coaches & Support Staff

Sandra Hollified

Sandra Hollified
Teaching Partner / Instructional Coach

Sandra Holliefield joined the Tollgate crew 2023. She has over 20 years of experience in education. She has been a teacher and teaching partner/instructional coach during this time. She is originally from Arizona and attended Arizona State University for her bachelor’s degree in Education. She also has a Master’s Degree in Reading and her principal license from Regis University. She believes that schools should be a joyful place for learning where students are encouraged to be curious and active learners. Sandra enjoys traveling with her family and being outdoors enjoying the beautiful Colorado scenery.

Email: [email protected]

Nichol Castinado

Nichol Sawyer
Instructional Coach

Nichol Sawyer was born and raised in Colorado, loving all the beauty this state has to offer, especially the mountains! She graduated from University of Northern Colorado with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and received her Masters degree, in Curriculum and Instruction, from the University of Phoenix. She has taught Kindergarten, 1st grade, and a Kindergarten/First Grade combo (K/1) all at Tollgate! She loves serving more students and new teachers as a Teaching Partner (Instructional Coach). She also loves being part of the Tollgate Crew because of how the staff and students embody what it means to be citizens of their community. WE ARE CREW! She is so inspired by students each and every day.

In her free time, Mrs. Sawyer loves to be outside, going hiking, camping, paddle boarding and snowboarding with her husband. She also loves traveling and has been to 9 countries over 5 continents! Mrs. Sawyer became a mom in August 2023 and loves seeing her sweet baby girl learn and grow!

Mrs. Sawyer is honored to work at Tollgate and in the Aurora community!

Email: [email protected]

Holly Russell

Holly Russell
K-5 Interventionist

Holly Russell has lived the majority of her life in Colorado and grew up just east of Denver. She graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver with a bachelor of Liberal Arts with an emphasis in English and Reading. She recently earned her Masters Degree in Educational Leadership. She has taught Kindergarten through 4th grade as a classroom teacher and has served students in the role of Reading Interventionist. Mrs. Russell enjoys supporting all Tollgate students to obtain their academic, social, and emotional goals. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, camping, going on vacations, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Email: [email protected]

kelly holtz

Kelly Holtz
Social Worker

Kelly Holtz is from Minnesota and has lived in Colorado for 13 years. Ms. Holtz attended college at The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, and completed her Masters degree at The University of Denver. She has previous experience working in roles in child protection, drug and alcohol prevention, and dropout prevention programs. Outside of work, Ms. Holtz enjoys hiking, camping, going to dog parks with her rescue dog Zoey, going out to brunch, and spending time with family and friends.

Email: [email protected]

Courtney O'Grady

Courtney O'Grady
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education (CLDE) Teacher Leader

Courtney is from Tampa, Florida and has been in Colorado for 18 years. She graduated from Florida State University and completed her Masters degrees at University of South Florida and Regis University. She has been in APS for 18 years and has taught 1st through 4th grade. She is excited to be part of the Tollgate Crew and help support students and teachers as a CLDE Teacher Leader. Courtney enjoys spending time with her family. She has 2 children who keep her busy. She enjoys running, going to the mountains, skiing and watching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Email: [email protected]

Dawn Medina

Dawn Medina
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education (CLDE) Teacher Leader

Dawn has lived in Colorado her whole life and always wanted to be a teacher. She started playing ‘school’ when she was about seven years old and never stopped! She has been teaching for 36 years. After teaching at a private school for 20 years, she taught Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade and became a CLDE Teacher Leader at Montview Elementary. She is very excited to be joining the Tollgate Crew this year as a CLDE Teacher Leader and Coach. She loves to curl up in bed and read a good book as well as play with her three dogs. She has three children of her own and is a Grandma (GooGoo) to 5 grandchildren ages 14-2. Dawn is looking forward to working with the teachers and students at Tollgate! She believes each child has their own unique gifts and talents and looks forward each day to supporting teachers to bring out the best in each student.

Email: [email protected]