Executive Director

Joy has been with REC since 2006. Her background is in business and insurance, and she genuinely believes we can change the world through education.

Senior Program Director

Jack came to REC with a degree in environmental science and geology. He has worked in the nonprofit world for several years both in his hometown and with a two-year stint in Panama with the Peace Corps. Jack feels he can benefit our students holistically by giving them the opportunity to connect to the outdoors in the beautiful spaces we have around us here in the Grand Valley.

Operations Director

Susette was born in the Philippines and moved to Grand Junction in 1993. She has ties to REC through her family and has always believed in the importance of academics as the foundation for success in life. Susette’s organizational skills and calm approach to solving any problem make her invaluable at REC.

Financial Manager

Landen is from Grand Junction and graduated from Colorado Mesa University in 2019 with a degree in economics and a minor in accounting. Since he enjoyed working with kids, a friend convinced him to work as a REC tutor while studying at CMU. The rest is history. Landen agreed to transition onto our administrative team after graduation. Landen and his accounting skills have been invaluable to REC.

Development Director and Special Projects

Kristen joined the REC team in 2019 to coordinate career and college readiness support. With a background in journalism, marketing, and public policy, her responsibilities are diverse and ever-changing. Kristen is gratified to work for REC, an organization that makes positive changes in peoples’ live every single day.

Human Resources Director

Megan graduated from Colorado Technical University with a BSBA in human resource management. Megan has lived on the Western Slope most of her life. She believes strongly in advocating for others and helping them find their voice.

Secondary Program Director

Mary moved from New Mexico to Grand Junction in 1998. She has a degree in elementary education and worked as a third-grade teacher for several years. She is the founder of REC and was co-Executive Director of REC with Joy for 10 years before deciding to explore other avenues. We are beyond excited that Mary has come full circle back to REC to share her skills with our middle and high school programs.

Elementary Program Director

Jan is a retired elementary school teacher. She taught grades 1-3 for 31 years in School District 51. She is passionate about helping kids reach their potential in school and to become responsible, independent lifelong learners.

Enrichment Coordinator

Robbi grew up in Berlin, Germany. He earned his Master of Education in teaching English as a foreign language and in physics from Freie Universitaet Berlin. Robbi started with REC as a volunteer tutor when he first came to the U.S. in 2014 and has been with us ever since. He has become an integral part of REC’s management team and helps mentor REC’s Team Air robotics club.

Botvin Coordinator and Enrichment Assistant

Originally from Fort Collins, Delaney moved to Grand Junction for college, receiving her degree in K-12 physical education and adaptive physical education from CMU. She has taught in school and outdoor camp settings and was drawn to REC by its mission and the outdoor opportunities it provides. She loves being part of something that has a direct impact on the students of this community and appreciates the mix of helping them academically, building meaningful connections, and providing fun and impactful opportunities.

Operations Assistant

Alan has been a teacher for over 35 years as well as a coach. Alan has taught everything from kindergartners to high school students. Alan was the head robotics mentor at Collbran Job Corps and math teacher at Grand Mesa High School. Alan brings vast amounts of experience, skills, and humor to REC!

Development Specialist / Communications

Mykan graduated from the University of Utah with degrees in English and mass communication. A former textbook and magazine editor, she loves learning about people’s different experiences and perspectives — especially those of children. She is thrilled to help spread the word about the great things happening at REC.

Grand Junction High After-School Program Manager

Edgar has deep roots in REC. He first came to REC when he was in fifth grade, continued participating through middle and high school, and was hired as a REC Youth Leader his senior year at Grand Junction High. He continues to set the example for younger REC students as the GJHS Site Manager while attending Colorado Mesa University. Edgar valued the connections and support he received from REC staff as a student and hopes to do the same for the students he works with now.

Central High After-School Program Manager

Brant is originally from New Orleans and graduated from Louisiana State University with a bachelor's. in psychology. He worked with homeless, foster, and underserved youth in the Grand Valley for four years before coming to REC. He enjoys working alongside youth to help them achieve their goals and is happy to be part of a team of people offering youth the best support possible. He hopes to foster the confidence in REC students to be successful in whatever they pursue, both academically and in life.

Dual Immersion Academy After-School Program Manager

Dixie worked for School District 51 for 31 years, the last 14 years as a teacher, before retiring in 2015. After working for Ariel Clinical Services for several years, she realized how much she missed student/teacher interactions. Another REC site manager told Dixie about REC and it seemed to be just what she was looking for. She loves working at DIA and looks forward to getting to know the DIA kids and families.

Mount Garfield Middle After-School Program Manager

Vivian is from Grand Junction and has taught elementary and middle school for School District 51 for 34 years. She believes in the value of extended learning time for students and is excited about sharing time with REC’s MGMS students.

Grand Mesa Middle After-School Program Manager

Rachel grew up in Denver and spent eight years in Omaha, NE, ultimately earning dual master's in social work and public health at the University of Nebraska, Omaha. She also spent six months in Guatemala participating in a service-learning and language program. She spent her first years in the Grand Valley practicing as a clinical therapist but was hoping to find something more community involved. She loves that REC aims to help ALL kids and families in the Grand Valley and that REC strives to connect them to their community, each other, and the world around them.

Bookcliff Middle School After-School Program Manager

Lena has a bachelor's in psychology with a concentration in counseling from Colorado Mesa University, where she also worked with the TRiO program. Lena has grown up in the Grand Valley and feels a deep connection to our community. She is looking forward to using her customer service and psychology background to serve our community and help our students grow.

Orchard Mesa Middle After-School Program Manager

Andrea is originally from Oregon. She attended OSU and earned a bachelor's in child and adolescent health and behavior. After going several different directions, one of which included earning a master's in pastoral ministry, she applied for a job with REC. She loves that a day at REC can involve any number of activities – from helping eight graders understand fractions to assisting families with needed services to cheering on kids while they rock climb for the first time.

Program Assistant

Prior to becoming a Program Assistant, Deanna was the After-School Program Manager at REC's Bookcliff Middle School site. Previously, she worked at Taylor Elementary for 11 years and also in sales. She is a CASA member and brings her knowledge of resources for at-risk youth and her love for the outdoors to her desire to support REC’s students.

Chipeta Elementary After-School Program Manager

MacKenzie’s dedication to children and her desire to be a consistently trustworthy and supportive adult for them, makes her the perfect fit for REC. She recently graduated from Colorado Mesa University with a degree in early childhood education and has worked with children in a variety of settings. MacKenzie is looking forward to serving the children and families of REC.

Clifton Elementary After-School Program Manager

Sara is a Colorado native who loves living in Colorado because there are so many beautiful places to visit. She has been a teacher for 15 years. Sara has an associate degree in early childhood education. Sara heard about REC from a co-worker and felt being part of REC would fit with her passion for working with children and families. She is very excited to be part of the REC team.

Chatfield Elementary After-School Program Manager

Emily is passionate about education and community. She has lived, studied, and worked all over the country — from science museums, to camps, to the Florida Everglades. A lifelong learner, Emily studied place-based education at the Teton Science Schools. She is motivated by the joy she shares with students as they make new discoveries together.

Nisley Elementary After-School Program Manager

Nickole is originally from Mexico and spent her childhood traveling through various Latin American countries. She has a bachelor's in bilingual elementary education, an associate in Bible. She has taught all ages in both public and private schools. Nickole is enthusiastic about REC’s mission and is looking forward to the opportunity to invest in students’ lives.

Rocky Mountain Elementary After-School Program Manager

A native of the Western Slope, Elizabeth studied social sciences at Colorado Mesa University and brings years of caregiving and administrative experience to her role at REC. She enjoys working with kids and making an impact in the community. She has been a staff member at REC’s Rocky Mountain Elementary site and says that REC “feels like home.”

Fruitvale Elementary After-School Program Manager

Alex was born and raised here in Grand Junction. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with bachelor's in counseling psychology from CMU in May of 2018. She has always loved working with kids and enjoys seeing those “aha” moments when whatever they are struggling with finally clicks.

Pear Park Elementary After-School Program Manager

Hannah is from Bloomington, Indiana, where she graduated from Indiana University. She has been a swim instructor, a ski instructor (in Germany!), a Girl Scout leader, and a youth program manager at Rocky Mountain Youth Corps. New to the Grand Valley, Hannah enjoys creating community and is excited to combine academics and hands-on, outdoor learning in her work at REC.

Dos Rios Elementary After-School Program Manager

Sherri moved to Grand Junction to be near her daughter and grandkids after spending most of her adult life in the Flathead Valley of Montana. She has an associate degree in science, with an emphasis in education, and has worked for District 51 as a READ Act paraprofessional. For the last several years, Sherri has been with REC as a tutor and site lead. Sherri is passionate about the education of these kids who are our future and hopes to make a difference in their lives.