Osage Campus
Laura Pritchard
Special Education Coordinator
Mrs. Pritchard was born and raised in Texas. She earned her bachelor's degree in Kinesiology from St. Edward's University in Austin. After a few years of working in the medical field, she obtained her teaching certification. She worked for 10 years in elementary and middle schools with a range of students, including those with severe needs, mild/moderate needs and without disabilities but at risk for falling behind. She joined Colorado High School Charter in 2018 and really fell in love with teaching and decided to obtain a master's degree in Instructional Design, which she completed in August of 2021. She is very proud of her three daughters. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her family and friends camping, hiking, biking, boating, stand up paddling and kayaking.
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Shalom Sanchez
Special Education Teacher
Shalom Sanchez is excited to be part of the CHSC team. She grew up in New Mexico and is a proud Aunty of 25 nieces and nephews. She has taught in Kansas, New Mexico, California and now Colorado. While in California she started mentoring students in Los Angeles and training them to run marathons and has been addicted to running ever since. She loves the theatre, hiking, snowboarding or really anything outdoors and has climbed the highest peak in the continental United States.
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Marisa Santarella
Social Worker
Marisa grew up in Littleton, Colorado where she spent most of her time playing soccer and hiking with her dogs. She earned her Bachelors of Arts in Sociology and Anthropology from Lewis & Clark College, and her Masters of Social Work with a concentration in Children and Youth from the University of Denver. Marisa has worked in four school districts across the country including Seattle, Dallas, and Denver. She loves to laugh, hike, bike, and cook. Her passion is working with young people in schools and communities to help them develop skills that promote self-empowerment and healing. Marisa is thankful for all of the young people, professors, colleagues, friends, and family who have shared their knowledge and stories shaping her mind and understanding of the world.
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Rigo Tostado
Concurrent Enrollment Counselor
Rigo comes to Colorado High School Charter after spending nearly 10 years as a Program Director for the “I Have a Dream” Foundation. He is excited by the opportunity to keep working with youth in Denver and supporting them as they discover their own paths towards successful careers. Rigo is a graduate of the University of Redlands where he earned a degree in Spanish and in Race and Ethnic Studies. Originally from San Diego, Rigo grew up just north of Denver in Longmont and has been living in Denver since he graduated from college. Rigo enjoys traveling, trying new foods in new places and meeting new people. He is also a big sports fan, especially baseball and soccer.
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Sandy Vasquez
Office Manager
Miss Sandy was born in El Paso, Texas; Texas born Colorado raised! Her family moved to Denver when she was 8 years old because there were not enough good job opportunities for them in Texas. Miss Sandy graduated from Skyview High School in Thornton, CO. Miss Sandy is fluent in Spanish so our Spanish speaking families and guests can count on an additional support in our office. She is a dedicated scholar support system and is always looking for ways to improve school culture both among staff and students and, of course, our Colorado High families! She is ecstatic to bring her enthusiasm to this team!
Liz has worked at CHSC since 2011. She earned her Master’s Degree in School Counseling from Northeastern University and completed her license in Administrative Leadership and Policies Studies at CU Denver in 2017.
Liz loves helping to direct policy at school that empowers youth to express themselves in authentic ways and grow academically and personally.
Liz got her undergraduate degree from Gettysburg College where she also played on the Women’s Soccer Team. In her free time, she enjoys practicing yoga, listening to live music, traveling and spending time with friends, family, and her dog, Lola.
Liz Feldhusen
Principal
303-892-8472, x1106
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Mr. Neely is fortunate to have had many dynamic teachers in his life and credits this as a main reason for working in education. He also loves to learn and hopes to empower his students to think critically about the world.
Mr. Neely has over ten years of teaching experience at both the collegiate and secondary level, and he joined CHSC in 2015. He has a BS in Geography and an MA in Education from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and originally hails from Wisconsin.
Mr. Neely loves the American West and moved to Colorado in 2014. He travels as much as he can and enjoys the mountains for skiing, rock climbing, and backpacking. He also enjoys sports, film, and literature, and dabbles creatively as a guitar player, screenwriter, and cook.
Gabriel Neely
Assistant Principal
303-892-8475, x1108
Connor Dillon
Math Teacher
Mr. Dillon was born in Southampton, England, but moved between England and different parts of the United States during his entire childhood. Mr. Dillon graduated with a B.S.A. in Mathematics from the University of Texas, and a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of North Texas.
He is passionate about creating a classroom environment where all of his students feel safe and are excited to come to class. When he is not teaching he loves to travel, hike, watch movies and tv shows, listen to music, root for the Boston Celtics, and spend time with his dog.
Jay Fuhrman
Language Arts Teacher
Jay has been an English teacher at Colorado High School Charter since 2018. He is originally from central Connecticut and holds a BA from St. Lawrence University and an MA from Middlebury College. Before joining CHSC, Jay taught English and coached a variety of sports at schools in Connecticut. He enjoys adventuring throughout Colorado outdoors with his wife and two dogs.
Gracie Grant
Language Arts Teacher
Originally from Montclair, New Jersey, Ms. Grant is a passionate educator with a thirst for knowledge and relationship-building. Before becoming an educator, Ms. Grant gained both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (GO HEELS!). As an undergrad, Ms. Grant graduated with her degree in English with honors and Linguistics. Then, as a graduate student, Ms. Grant earned a Master of Arts in Teaching. As an educator, Ms. Grant seeks to share her passion for reading and critical conversation. But, when she is not teaching, you can find Ms. Grant hiking, reading, watching reality tv, or doing anything in the sun!
Clark Callahan
Executive Director of CHSC
(720)305-8516
Clark has a deep passion to help all young people realize the value, freedom, and responsibility that comes with education. Clark received his B.S. in Communications and Economics from the University of Northern Colorado, an MBA from Fairfield University and an Ed. M in Urban Educational Administration from Columbia. Bringing 15+ years of experience working in education. When Clark is not at school, you will find him enjoying a medium rare cheese burger with sweet potato fries and a soft and chewy chocolate chip cookie with a little vanilla ice cream on top. A dedicated family man, Clark values every moment he gets to spend with his wife and three children. Clark also enjoys running, skiing, hiking, knitting, and painting.
Jennifer Lilly
Director of Finance
Jennifer joined CHSC in 2020. She has an accounting degree from University of New Mexico and an MBA from Colorado State University. She is a CPA. She spent the first part of her career doing financial analysis and the second part doing taxes. Having had more fun than anyone has a right to have doing taxes, she decided another career change was in order. Working in the educational environment has been a breath of fresh air. While she doesn’t directly work with students, she does strive to keep the wheels on the bus behind the scenes! When she’s not at work, you’ll find her on her bike, remodeling her house, or taking things out of her puppy’s mouth. She loves to travel and spend time with her kids.
Colorado High School Charter
Front Office Staff
Meet the Osage Staff
If you would like to contact any of the teachers or staff, please click the email button below their description.
Manuel Sanchez
Math Teacher
Manuel “Manny” Sanchez has worked at CHSC since 2020. He has been in education for over 22 years, 15 years in teaching Intro to Drafting, Multimedia (Adobe Suite, 3D Printing) and 7 years teaching Mathematics. He enjoys unhinging student’s minds, changing their perspective on education while expanding their horizon, and igniting their intellect. Manny is a graduate from Azusa Pacific University. He has a B.A. in Human Development and a M.A. in Educational Technology. He is from Southern California and enjoys traveling, spending time with family, making noise on his drum kit, and playing golf with his boys.
Alexander Garst
Social Studies Teacher
Alexander is a devoted Social Studies teacher at CHSC, where he has been a faculty member since 2019. Hailing from Philadelphia, Alexander earned his bachelor's degree in history from St. Joseph's University, bringing a diverse educational background to his classroom.
Alexander is dedicated to forming meaningful relationships with his students, understanding their unique needs and interests. He excels in adapting the social studies curriculum, making it relevant and engaging to each individual learner. His teaching style fosters a positive and inclusive environment, encouraging students to connect with the content in ways that resonate with them personally.
Outside the classroom, Alexander enjoys playing soccer and other pursuits that contribute to a balanced and active life. He is proud to be part of the CHSC community in Denver and is committed to making a lasting impact on his students' educational journey
Tug Levy
Science/Social Studies Teacher
Tug is honored and so excited to join the team at CHSC Osage to teach science and social studies starting this 2023-24 school year! He was born on the East Coast, but moved to the Rocky Mountains in Idaho when he was a boy. There, Tug’s already healthy love and appreciation for the outdoors and especially fishing exploded into a full-blown passion that continues to inform and enrich his life today. Tug moved to Boulder to go to CU in 1990. He earned a degree in biology and a master’s in education there.
With the past 20 years spent working as either a teacher for a wide variety of middle and high schools in the Denver/Boulder area, or within the mental health field as a mentor, a teacher and an administrator for education programs within residential treatment programs, Tug brings a unique set of experiences to go with a passion for teaching that is probably genetic considering his father and mother were teachers and so is his younger sister! He sees the potential in all young people and is eager to help any. He is really looking forward to working with the students at CHSC Osage this year!
Being a father has helped Tug to develop insight and compassion for youth and especially the coming-of-age process! Tug has three kids, one of whom is an adult, married with a young daughter, so, yeah, he’s a proud grandpa too! You can often find Tug on one of many Colorado streams fly fishing, which is one of his favorite things to do in life. It is part pastime and part self-care! Tug loves his family, friends, and his dog Dani! He has a huge love for nature and feels happiest outside.
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Amairani Zuniga-Torres
Student Advocate
303-434-1946
Amairani is a Denver native. She was the first one in her family to finish her education. Amairani earned her Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in Human Services from Metropolitan State University. Amairani understands the importance, the adversities, and the opportunities that a higher education brings, first hand. This is why she has a passion to help students succeed. She believes that through dedication and persistence, youth are closer in reaching their dreams. During her free time, Amairani enjoys spending time with family and loves to craft.
Alice Mueller
Science Teacher
Alice is from Loveland, Colorado and moved to Boulder to complete her BA in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from the University of Colorado. After graduation, she moved to Baltimore, MD to conduct research for her MA at Johns Hopkins University.
After earning a degree in Public Health Biology, Alice joined Teach for America to help create more equitable science education in her home state. In her free time, you can find Alice hiking or trail running in the mountains, practicing yoga with her cat, or listening to a podcast on a long drive.
Claudia Graham
Language Arts Teacher
Ms. Graham was born in South Dakota but has really only ever lived in Colorado. She has lived
all over Colorado; from small mountain towns like Victor to all around the Denver area! Ms.
Graham started her higher education journey at Community College of Denver and finished it at Metropolitan State University with a BA in English with a Secondary Education License. Her
experience in teaching has a wide range. She has spent time working with toddlers andpreschoolers at the Auraria Early Learning Center, coaching a high school drumline, and
teaching 7th and 8th grade! The absolute joy Ms. Graham gets from working with youth has led
her to Colorado High School Charter. When she’s not teaching, she’s in the kitchen cooking and
goofing around with any one of her four siblings, her mom, her son, and her husband.
Tabari Totty
Dean of Culture
Tabari brings more than 15 years providing effective academic, career counseling and guidance for at-risk youth and young adults. He is a graduate of the University of Sioux Falls, where he obtained his degree in Business Administration/Entrepreneurship. Tabari is also a licensed barber, where he attended Brown Barber College in Atlanta, Georgia. Tabari’s journey of mentoring and leading youth encompassed McCrossan Boys Ranch, Ridgeview Academy, Mount View Youth Services Center, and the Contemporary Learning Academy. Tabari is passionate about positively impacting the lives of youth struggling with life’s dilemmas and student development. Tabari’s vision would be to see an increase in graduation and decrease in dropout rates. Along with improvement in self-awareness, purpose and accountability for one’s actions and foster partnerships within the community to keep the youth engaged in their future. In Tabari’s free time, he enjoys traveling, fly fishing, cooking, reading, biking, hiking, concerts, sporting events, and museums.
Go Chi Bears!
Marcus Duran
Special Education Paraprofessional
Marcus joined CHSC in the spring of 2021. He has 5 years' experience as a paraprofessional in Elementary, Middle, and High school classrooms throughout Colorado. He is currently earning his Bachelor of Arts in Special Education at Western Governors’ University. He plans to find a position as a special education teacher after finishing his degree. Marcus understands that every student desires a place where they feel understood, supported, and challenged and strives to provide that space for every student he works with. Marcus is a Colorado native and LOVES the Denver Broncos. He enjoys playing board and video games, Watching all genres of movies and tv shows, playing bass in his band, and spending time outdoors
Brian Rocha
Post-Secondary Advocate
Brian was born and raised in Boulder, Colorado and attended Colorado State University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology. Before coming to Colorado High School Charter, he served as an AmeriCorps member and worked as a Post-Secondary Coach with the “I Have a Dream” Foundation of Boulder County. He is excited to bring his experience working with youth over to Denver and be a resource for CHSC and their families. Brian is a huge Colorado sports fan and enjoys being active, whether it’s in the gym or somewhere outdoors.
Steve Williams
para-educator
Steve is a Denver native who earned his BA in Philosophy from the University of Wyoming and his MA in Philosophy from Colorado State University. He loves travelling and has lived, studied, and worked for a combined 5 years across Germany, Japan, China, and Poland with visits to many more countries. Steve has taught in a wide variety of environments including skiing, archery, English language, social studies, and philosophy. He is a Colorado Avalanche fan who loves music, movies, games, reading, and talking about anything with anyone.