IBARMS Officers

pastpresident@ibarms.org

Hope Forgey is the MYP Coordinator at the International School of Denver, an independent school in Lowry. She has been at the International School for the past 10 years and started their MYP programme from scratch. Hope has been an active member of IBARMS since 2011. In addition to coordinating, Hope teaches MYP Design and is passionate about educational technology.

president@ibarms.org

Holly Davis is the DP Coordinator at Dakota Ridge High School in Littleton. She has been an educator in Jeffco Public Schools since 1999, starting her career as a middle school and high school English teacher and moving to the role of DP Coordinator in 2015. Holly is incredibly passionate about the IB program and the powerful impact it has on students’ lives. As a strong advocate for the program, she has worked with other Jeffco schools to bring IB into their communities. Holly has presented at the IB Global Conference and has hosted IBARMS roundtables and workshops. She is very excited for her new role and continuing her work with other IB schools in the region.

sharon@mackintoshacademy.com 

Sharon Muench has been the PYP and MYP Coordinator at Mackintosh Academy, Littleton Campus since 1994 where she also has the daily opportunity to teach MYP Math and Design. She is passionate about inquiry-based learning, interdisciplinary opportunities, and working with kids. She loves rafting with family and friends, trying to grow zucchini, reading, and tinkering on the computer. She also serves with the IB-Americas Educator Network, primarily as a site visitor and workshop leader, and loves the opportunity to support others in their IB journey.

pschkade@psdschools.org 

Paul represents the PYP on the IBARMS board. Since 2003 has he has served as the PYP coordinator at McGraw Elementary School (Poudre School District) in northern Colorado. He has formerly served as president of the IBARMS board. He is excited to have the opportunity to serve again on the board of this outstanding organization. Paul is also a PYP lead educator, workshop leader, online workshop lead facilitator, site visitor and consultant. He is passionate about empowering PYP coordinators, administrators and teachers in their role as pedagogical leaders at their schools.

Brittany.Svaldi@jeffco.k12.co.us

Brittany Svaldi is the MYP Coordinator for Summit Ridge Middle School in Littleton, Colorado. She has been an educator in Jeffco Public Schools since 2012. Brittany’s journey with the IB began as an Individuals and Societies teacher. Her belief in the IB philosophy encouraged her to move into the coordinator role. She has been a member of IBARMS since 2019 and is looking forward to connecting and supporting other MYP Coordinators in their IB Journey.

melissa.knight@asd20.org

Melissa Knight is the Career-related Programme (CP) and the Diploma Programme (DP) coordinator at Discovery Canyon Campus High School in Colorado Springs. DCC is an IB for all, public, K-12 IB continuum school that offers all 4 IB programmes under one roof. DCCHS offers IB classes to all 11th and 12th grade students. In addition to coordinating CP and DP, Melissa also runs IB testing for CP, DP, and course candidates at DCCHS. She also teaches Personal and Professional Skills, the core class of CP, and is the Extended Essay coordinator for DP. Melissa is from Indiana and has lived in Colorado since 2006. She holds a BA in French and Political Science from Indiana University, and a MA in Education from University of Phoenix. Melissa taught MYP and DP French for 8 years before becoming an IB coordinator. She looks forward to her role as IBARMS CP/DP level representative and the opportunity to connect and support IB coordinators in the IBARMS region.

director@ibarms.org

Jan Lotter has been involved with IB programs since 2000 as an MYP Coordinator, DP Coordinator and a PYP Head of School in the Aurora School District. She also enjoys her role as an IBEN member by consulting for new MYP schools, as a workshop leader, and a team leader for MYP program authorization and evaluation. She has been part of IBARMS as a member, Treasurer, President, and currently as the Executive Director.

workshops@ibarms.org

Veena Kumar has served as Assistant to Executive Director and Board, Bookkeeper and Registrar for IBARMS since 2013.  She has been a high school teacher, banker and IB Admin Assistant for DP and MYP. Veena has been involved with IB since 1996. Veena has M.A. B.Ed degree from Kanpur University in India. She enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, travelling, painting and making silk flower arrangements.