Meet Our Dedicated Staff
-
"Fatima has been a second home to our family for over 13 years. Our oldest children who started in preschool at OLF enjoy coming back and visiting the school and past teachers. We have been loved and supported by this community and we try to share our love back."
~ Fatima Parent -
"This is our family’s first year to be attending Fatima! We have been truly blessed to join this school and the people here who love their student and families, especially Ms. Taylor and her faculty. Thank you for opening your doors to our family."
~ Fatima Parent
-
Lisa Taylor
Principal
33 Years in Education
ltaylor@olfcs.comMs. Taylor grew up in Denver and attended Notre Dame Catholic School, Saint Mary’s Academy, and Regis University. Before becoming Fatima’s Principal, she taught third grade for thirteen years. In addition to her Bachelor’s Degree from Regis, she also holds a Master of Arts Degree from the University of Colorado in Curriculum and Instruction. Ms. Taylor is currently a student in the Denver Catholic Biblical School. Ms. Taylor enjoys reading, traveling, and cooking with her Italian mother.
Patti Zarlengo
Secretary
24 Years Experience
pzarlengo@olfcs.comDuring her thirty plus years at Our Lady of Fatima, Mrs. Zarlengo has taken on many roles. First, as a parent while her three children attended Fatima from 1981 to 1996. She returned as first grade para-professional in 1999, and Mrs. Zarlengo has been the school Secretary since 2004. The Zarlengo family are pioneers of Our Lady of Fatima Parish and both she and her husband, Bob, are members of the parish community today.
Liliana Macias
ELC/BASE Director & Preschool Teacher
20 Years in Education
lmacias@olfcs.comMs. Liliana Macias' passion has been in Early Childhood Education. She served at the Hope Center Preschool Program in DPS for 16 years and has spent the last 5 in Catholic schools as a Preschool Director and teacher. She is English-Spanish bilingual and enjoys spending time with her family and friends, gardening, and cooking. Her hope is for our students to grow in an environment where they are not only celebrated for their unique personalities, cultures, and needs, but they will develop a love for God. She looks forward to years filled with unlimited learning and fun times.
Isabel Teixeira
Learning Specialist
4 Years in Education
iteixeira@olfcs.comMs. Teixeira, also known as Ms. T, comes to Denver by way of Boston, MA. She is a graduate of Catholic high school and college, and moved to Colorado two years ago to pursue a teaching career at a local Catholic school. Ms. T is a proud "Double Domer," and holds a B.A. in Psychology and an M.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Notre Dame. She is currently enrolled in the Program for Inclusive Education at Notre Dame, earning her certification in inclusive classroom instruction. For many years, Ms. T has felt called to support diverse learners in a Catholic School. After teaching in a general education classroom, Ms. T was thrilled to be able to answer God's call to serve as the Learning Specialist at OLF. In her free time, Ms. T loves watching Notre Dame football, exploring the mountains with her dog, Millie, and skiing with her family! Ms. T is excited to join the Our Lady of Fatima family and is looking forward to supporting our students and families!
Nancy Waring
School Nurse
39 Years in Nursing
Mrs. Waring, better known as “Nurse Nancy”, holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Nursing. She enjoys working with the students, especially during the 9Health Fair that she organizes for Fatima every year. She and her husband, Bruce, have two sons. Mrs. Waring loves spending time with her family, camping, hiking, and biking.
Kim Simonson
Preschool Teacher
24 Years in Education
ksimonson@olfcs.comMrs. Simonson is a native of Colorado. She attended Catholic school from kindergarten through high school. Mrs. Simonson attended the University of Northern Colorado and has been teaching for 18 years. She is married and has two daughters and two dogs. Her daughters attended Catholic primary school and are currently students at Holy Family High School. Outside of school, she loves to spend time with her family, bake cookies, take cooking classes, and watch the Broncos.
Jessica Carter
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
22 Years in Education
jcarter@olfcs.comMrs. Jessica Carter is a Colorado native who has 20 years of Early Childhood experience. Twelve of those years were spent teaching Pre-Kindergarten at St. Joan of Arc Early Learning Center, the parish in which she grew up. She is so excited to become a part of the Fatima team as this was her grandparents’ parish. In her free time she loves taking care of her small homestead with her husband of 10 years, Nate. She loves to hang out with her 14 chickens, 2 potbelly pigs, and Barley the dog.
Shelby Spies
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
1 Year in Education
sspies@olfcs.com
Olivia Koch
Kindergarten Teacher
4 Years in Education
okoch@olfcs.comMiss Olivia Koch was born and raised in Denver. She attended St. Catherine of Siena and graduated from Bishop Machebeuf High School. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from Northern Arizona University and has been working with children since then. She is happy to be in the classroom at Our Lady of Fatima and looks forward to sharing her faith and love of learning.
Alayna Lilovich
Kindergarten Teacher
6 Years in Education
alilovich@olfcs.comMs. Lilovich grew up in Indiana. She attended Purdue University where she majored in Early Childhood Education. Since graduating, she has lived in downtown Chicago where she taught Pre-Kindergarten for four years. Ms. Lilovich is excited to join the Our Lady of Fatima team as a Kindergarten teacher and to be a Colorado resident! Ms. Lilovich enjoys hiking, yoga, traveling, and cooking in her spare time.
Michelle Rodriguez
1st Grade Teacher
17 Years in Education
mrodriguez@olfcs.comMrs. Rodriguez has taught both pre-kindergarten and first grade at OLF and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in International Business and a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Regis University. Before teaching, Mrs. Rodriguez worked in the corporate world and then worked at home with her two children whom she and her husband feel are blessed to have been students at Fatima, from Pre-K thru 8. She greatly enjoys working with the younger “kiddos” as they venture into school as “big” first graders.
Julia Vohland
1st Grade Teacher
10 Years in Education
jvohland@olfcs.comMrs. Vohland was born and raised in Colorado. She received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Northern Colorado. Her first teaching position was at Holy Family Catholic School in Grand Junction. Since then she has taught preschool through 2nd grade. Mrs. Vohland loves to read and hopes to inspire young students to find their passion for books as well. When she is not teaching she loves to spend time with her husband and two children (who also attend OLF) and travel.
Mary Leintz
2nd Grade Teacher
19 Years in Education
mleintz@olfcs.comMrs. Leintz is a native of Denver. She went to Most Precious Blood, St. Mary’s Academy, and Regis University. Mary continued her education with a Master’s Degree in Education from Regis University. She has been married to Steve for 35 years and has three children and two grandchildren. When Mary is not teaching, she enjoys traveling to visit her daughter in Florida. She is also an avid reader and enjoys her book club. Mary looks forward to her walks around the neighborhood lakes with friends. She participates in 5K events, although she has been walking more than running these last few years.
Kristina Fox
3rd Grade Teacher
8 Years in Education
kfox@olfcs.comMrs. Fox is originally from Connecticut but came out to Colorado to attend CU-Boulder and never left! She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and after working in finance for two years, she realized that teaching was her true calling. She went on to get her teaching license from Metropolitan State University of Denver and her Master’s Degree in Education with a focus in Curriculum and Instruction from Adams State University. This is her seventh year teaching and her fourth year at Our Lady of Fatima. She taught fifth grade at Fatima for three years and took last year off to be with her daughter, Nora, who was born in August of 2020. When she is not teaching, Mrs. Fox enjoys reading mystery novels and playing tennis. She is excited to teach third grade this year and looks forward to a wonderful year together!
Tiffany Moeder
4th Grade Teacher
21 Years in Education
tmoeder@olfcs.comMs. Moeder comes to us from California. She spent her primary years in San Diego and made a move up north to California State University, Chico where she graduated with a degree in Education. Ms. Moeder spent three years teaching for the Oakland Diocese in Berkeley before moving to Colorado in 2000. She then joined the Archdiocese of Denver and is pleased to be a part of the Fatima family. Outside of teaching Ms. Moeder enjoys photography, traveling, and all outdoor activities.
Robyn O’Toole
5th Grade Teacher
10 Years in Education
ro'toole@olfcs.comMrs. O’Toole’s passion for teaching began at age 16 when she decided to be a teacher’s aide for the special education classroom in her high school. It was the first time she experienced the incredible joy of witnessing someone learn to read. Mrs. O’Toole went on to pursue a career in Special Education and Elementary Education at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. After graduating in 2013, Mrs. O’Toole went on to teach special education for 5 years both in Kansas and Colorado. In her 5th year, she taught both part time special education and half day kindergarten. This year, Mrs. O’Toole comes to Our Lady of Fatima because she realized that she could no longer teach in an environment where she could not talk about Jesus with her students. She is thrilled to finally be able to share her love for God and the Catholic Faith with her new class. In her spare time, you might find Mrs. O’Toole trying a new recipe, enjoying a long evening walk, or playing Irish music with her husband, Devin.
Laura Larkins
Middle School Language Arts
llarkins@olfcs.comMs. Larkins grew up attending Catholic schools in various locations across the US eventually attending Holy Family High School here in Colorado. She studied Spanish and Italian at the University of Washington in Seattle, WA where she earned her Bachelor’s degree. An avid reader, Ms. Larkins worked as a volunteer with Reading Partners here in Denver providing reading support in Denver Public Schools while her daughters were young. After substitute teaching in Jefferson County Public Schools, Denver Public Schools, and at Arrupe Jesuit High School she is thrilled to be pursuing her teaching license and teaching middle school students here at Fatima full time. While she loves being in the classroom, her favorite job has and will always be "Mom" to Piper (Fatima class of 2026) and Olivia (Fatima class of 2024). In her free time Laura enjoys playing tennis, traveling, studying foreign languages, spending time with her family, and reading!
Stephanie Koch
Middle School Religion & Math
36 Years in Education
skoch@olfcs.comMrs. Koch teaches 8th grade Algebra, 7th grade Pre-Algebra, 6th grade Math, and Religion to 6th through 8th grades. She is currently studying at the Catholic Biblical School and loves it! She grew up in Michigan and Florida, graduating from Florida Atlantic University with a Bachelor’s in Education in 1984. That same month, she married her husband, a native of Colorado, and moved to Denver. They have four daughters, all of whom attended Catholic school, and two of whom also teach at Our Lady of Fatima! Mrs. Koch has taught in both Catholic and public schools. She has focused mostly on middle school and (believe it or not) preschool. She loves teaching middle school students with all of their ups and downs, their keen sense of justice, and humor. She loves reading, baseball, hiking, gardening, and cooking.
Sara Theisen
Middle School Science & Religion
5 Years in Education
stheisen@olfcs.comAlthough she grew up in Colorado, Ms. Theisen received her college education in Kansas. After graduating with a B.A. in Physics Education and a minor in Mathematics from Benedictine College, she taught high school chemistry in Leavenworth, Kansas, before returning home to Lakewood. Ms. Theisen’s liberal arts, Benedictine education has prepared her academically to teach through a Catholic lens, as well as spark an even deeper love for the faith that she hopes to pass on to her students. When not in the classroom, she enjoys going for walks around town, playing trumpet, and hanging out with her cat, Dinah.
Taylor Sandusky
Middle School Social Studies & Language Arts
7 Years in Education
tsandusky@olfcs.comMrs. Sandusky is a Colorado native. She attended the University of Colorado at Boulder and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in religious studies. After graduating, she worked with patients with traumatic brain injuries at Craig Hospital before realizing she was called to education. Mrs. Sandusky then earned her teaching license from Regis University. She previously taught middle school in the Archdiocese and looks forward to teaching fifth and sixth grade. In her free time, Mrs. Sandusky enjoys spending time with her husband, family, and friends. She enjoys traveling, hiking, camping, kayaking, and arts and crafts. Mrs. Sandusky is excited to be joining the Fatima family.
Andrea Aquino
Middle School Social Studies
7 Years in Education
aaquino@olfcs.comMrs. Aquino was raised in rural Indiana and attended Manchester University where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She taught 6th, 4th, and 2nd grades in Catholic schools in Indiana. She then became a stay-at-home mom of Madalyn 19, Avery 18, Hannah 15, Landon 13 and Carter 11. She and her family moved to Colorado in 2014 and has been a regular substitute teacher here at Our Lady of Fatima for the past 3 years. She is very excited about becoming part of the amazing faculty here at OLF as a part time 6th grade teacher. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, embroidery, reading, playing the piano and being surrounded by the many friends she has met here in Colorado. She is very passionate about a Catholic school education and cannot wait to continue the path of helping make disciples out of our students here at Our Lady of Fatima.
Samantha Skubal
Art Teacher
5 Years in Education
sskubal@olfcs.comMiss Samantha Skubal was born and raised in Littleton, Colorado. She completed her B.A. of Fine Arts and minor in Business Administration at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. After graduating, while trying to find a career path, she took a position as an Instructional Paraprofessional at an elementary school in Dodge City, Kansas, thinking that education would only be a temporary stepping stone on the way to her future career. After completing one year as a Para in Kansas, she returned to Colorado, finding herself again as an Instructional Paraprofessional for an elementary school in Jeffco Public Schools. During her three years at that school, and realizing that education was not just a "pit stop" on the way to better things, but rather her vocation; Miss Skubal completed her Master’s Degree in Secondary Education through Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. In completing her undergraduate degree at a Catholic college, and her Masters at a Christian university, Miss Skubal recognizes the importance of learning through a lens of faith and hope. In her free time, Miss Skubal enjoys baking, hiking, painting, playing the ukulele and singing, and spending time with family and friends. She is looking forward to sharing her joy and love of the Visual Arts and is excited for her first year as part of the Our Lady of Fatima family.
Marty McGovern
Music Teacher
16 Years in Education
mmcgovern@olfcs.comMr. McGovern graduated from Colorado State University and then joined the staff at Holy Family High School, teaching English and journalism and supervising the school student newspaper, the Lamp Post. Years later he left HF to work as a tutor and mentor for kids in the neighborhood in Denver known as Sun Valley. Flowing alongside these careers, photography and music have always been special to Mr. M, and he is now thrilled to be teaching music at Our Lady of Fatima.
Jim Stevens
PE & Health Teacher
28 Years in Education
jstevens@olfcs.comMr. Stevens grew up in Santa Barbara, California. He attended Regis College in Denver. Mr. Stevens has taught Physical Education and Health for 22 years for the Archdiocese of Denver. “I love teaching and coaching all age groups,” says Mr. Stevens. Mr. Stevens has also coached many sports over the years including tennis, basketball, and volleyball. Mr. Stevens enjoys being a member of the Fatima family. Mr. Stevens is married and together, the Stevens’ enjoy playing tennis, riding bikes, and traveling. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens are parents to a sweet golden retriever named Sadie and an adorable kitty, Abby.
Trinidad Vera
Spanish Teacher
16 Years in Education
tvera@olfcs.comMy name is Trinidad Vera and I am the “new” Spanish teacher. I have previously taught at Our Lady of Fatima from 2008 to 2012. I am very happy to be back. I am originally from Lima, Peru but have been living in the USA for the past 30 years. My family and I moved from Dallas, Texas almost 19 years ago and we love living here. This is my eleventh year working for the Catholic schools in Denver. I am working at Our Lady of Fatima two days a week and the other three days I work at Notre Dame Catholic School in Denver also teaching Spanish. In my free time I enjoy dancing Zumba and working on Sudoku puzzles. During summer time I enjoy hiking and camping. I have two adult children, Pablo and Elsa. I feel really blessed for the opportunity to teach at Our Lady of Fatima.
Stephanie Chaney
Librarian
17 Years in Education
schaney@olfcs.comMrs. Chaney grew up in Nebraska where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Nebraska. Shortly after that, she moved to Colorado and stayed home with her two children. Once they were in school, Mrs. Chaney earned her Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Denver. Mrs. Chaney spent nine years working at Bishop Machebeuf High School. This is Mrs. Chaney’s second year at Our Lady of Fatima. Mrs. Chaney loves reading and loves to talk about books - just ask her! She also loves to watch Nebraska football, Broncos football, and Avalanche hockey!
Chris Vogelsang
Athletic Director
Lynn Martinez
Primary Paraprofessional
Kris Macauley
ELC/BASE Paraprofessional
Hilary Thornham
ELC Paraprofessional
30 Years in Education
hthornham@olfcs.comMs. Hilary Thornham is a Colorado native. She attended Colorado State University for her undergraduate degree in Human Development with a focus in Early Childhood, Denver University for teacher education, and the University of Colorado Denver for her Master of Art Degree. Her 30+ years of teaching experience have been teaching Preschool, Kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, and Reading Intervention. She is married to a teacher and they have a 19-year-old son. In her free time, Ms. Thornham enjoys going for walks around Sloan's Lake, hiking in the mountains, and reading a good book. She also enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and extended family, who fortunately live in the Denver area.