Oak School Teachers and Staff
LuAnn Wilhelm
Lead Teacher, Preschool/PreK
Mrs. Wilhelm is a wealth of wisdom and knowledge, bringing to Oak years of experience in Early Childhood Education. An artist herself, she facilitates process art as a vehicle for child-led development and adores being a part of each child’s journey of growth and discovery.
Mrs. Wilhelm’s classroom style is emergent, based in inquiry and a play based curriculum. Her teaching philosophy is simple: when a child feels loved, safe, supported and listened to, they learn to give themselves permission to interpret their world around them. They learn new ways to express themselves and discover independence, self competence, confidence, empathy and connection to the people and the world around them.
She lives in Lakewood with her husband and two dogs, and loves spending time with her granddaughters and three adult children.
ChaRLotte (Charlie) Murphy
Lead Toddler Teacher
Charlotte (Ms. Charlie) is from a family of 10 and was homeschooled, learning from an early age how to teach both herself and her siblings. As a certified Lead Infant & Toddler Teacher, she has three years experience teaching the Reggio Emilia style of learning and is a firm believer in facilitating the genius in each individual child.
Ms. Charlie believes in fostering a welcoming and loving environment where each child is seen and feels safe. Through keen observation skills and the power of relationship, she meets each child at their developmental stage.
Ms. Charlie enjoys creating provocations for open ended questions and leaves room for growth and exploration through their own world and environment. This child-led and holistic approach maintains the imagination and brilliance in each child where they will be able to be individuals in a community.
Charlie also works part time at a bathhouse providing body work and sound baths. Her hobbies include writing, photography, hiking and spending free time with her two children and husband (also Charlie!) in Golden, CO where she grew up.
Jen Levy, M.ED.
Lead Teacher, PreK
Ms. Jen is a versatile early childhood specialist with the talent to develop inspiring hands-on lessons that will capture a child's imagination. As a Theatre Artist, Jen believes in the power of dramatic play in literacy development and uses social storytelling to create a cooperative community in the classroom.
Ms. Jen celebrates a welcome return to the Reggio Emilia approach, having trained at Christopher House under leadership who experienced Reggio first hand at the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre in Italy. More recently, Jen earned her early childhood Montessori credential through NAMC, and uses a combination of constructivist practices from both Montessori and Reggio here at Oak. She is skilled in adapting to students' diverse learning styles and creating a classroom atmosphere that is stimulating and encouraging.
A Chicago native, Jen enjoys all that Colorado has to offer, including snowboarding, concerts, swimming, and hiking with her husband Elliott and daughters River (4th grade) and Willow. Family is at the heart of Jen's work as an Educator, and she's happy to have Willow enrolled in PK at Oak!
Zali HOck
Lead Teacher, Outdoor Educator
Zali is an outdoor environmental educator, passionate about helping children connect with the natural world through exploration, art, music, science, stories, and play. She has a degree in Psychology with minors in Education and Environmental Studies, pursuing a MA in Early Childhood Education.
Zali cares deeply about providing child-centered, hands-on learning experiences, developing supportive relationships and communication skills, and fostering innovative and caring environments conducive to holistic development in which children can learn and thrive. She sees nature as both the perfect classroom and teacher to invoke curiosity, encourage exploration, creativity, and imagination, and nurture personal passions and growth.
Zali grew up in Boulder, CO and loves hiking, running, camping, reading, and spending time with friends and family. She is thrilled to be at The Oak School!
Cassie Noble
Assistant Teacher
Cassie’s passion and enthusiasm for education and child development is apparent through her daily movement and interactions with both the children and her colleagues. A team player, she supports and facilitates our cohesive environment where all can thrive. On a day to day basis, Cassie supports co-teachers and the director with duties inside and outside the classroom.
Cassie is a Colorado native who married her high school sweetheart. Together they have three children and enjoy spending time outside hiking, fishing and camping.
Malia Steinke
Support Staff
Malia joins us as she trains in pediatric nursing. She is a natural with the children having grown up with her teacher mom and younger siblings in tow. She brings an energy that is loving, warm, kind, and affectionate; we are thrilled to have Ms. Malia with us here at Oak.
Ms. Malia runs our aftercare program for children 3 and up.
Joan Bolton
Artist In Residence
Joanie has been an artist her entire life. She graduated with a BFA from DU and integrated her art practice into the landscape of education for almost 20 years while working at Treasure Land Preschool and Sewell Child Development Center. Her personal art practice includes a daily self-portrait first thing upon waking. It is a study of expressing the inner-self, outwardly. Both nature and children are her muses and her favorite art mediums are paint and playing with clay. She’s currently learning to play banjo.
Joanie has three adult children Lizzie, Charlie, and Molly and lives with her husband David. She spends a lot of time with her three grandchildren Henry, Bear, and Willow. We are thrilled to have Ms. Joanie as our artist in residence!
Tricia Martin-Owen
Teacher/Owner
Tricia assists and supports her co-teachers inside the classroom daily. She loves forming and maintaining relationships with the children and her colleagues, alike. Teaching and building strong foundations of social-emotional skills for both the individual child, the teacher, and the classroom as a whole are her life’s work.
Tricia believes that when we are able to relate and accept ourselves for who we are, we can extend that same graciousness to others. Children naturally love themselves and others; it is our job as adults to protect, nurture and guide these inherent human qualities. The future demands that emotional intelligence to be put front and center, equal to other aspects of education for the betterment of humanity. Because the basis of strong, courageous leadership and a positive impact for the future are, after all, emotionally intelligent humans.
Travis greenlee
Guest Teacher & Parent Consultant
Mr. Travis values helping a child learn through experience and in different contexts. This offers diversity and real life growth to their development. Specializing in the “outdoor classroom” has given him the opportunity to organize and support many educators, families and schools with integrating a variety of experiential and unique learning opportunities, therefore helping children to take their knowledge and learning beyond the conventional classroom, expand their learning palette and develop a closer relationship with the natural world around them.
He loves storytelling, playing his guitar and writing music, tree climbing and spending as much time as possible with his wife, Bonnie, his new baby boy, and his wild husky companion, Juna.
Mary Huff
Administrative & Technical Support
Mary is our behind-the-screens administrative lead. She handles enrollment, tour scheduling, our family management system, and the Oak School website. She is committed to upholding our goals and providing our families with any technical and email support they need. She holds a BBA from Georgia State and has managed several small businesses for the last 6 years across the country.