Literacy

As a literacy intervention team, we work closely with classroom teachers, to provide extra reading support and instruction to students. We work extensively with students to help them improve specific reading skills such as letter-naming, initial sounds, phoneme segmentation, and comprehension strategies. We also collaborate with classroom teachers to set learning goals for students that meet their needs. Our goal is to help students develop proficient reading skills that will contribute to their academic growth. 

Mrs. Steyaert

Welcome! I am Jennie Steyaert. I have been on staff at Aurora Academy since 2012 and a reading interventionist since 2017. I am excited to be working with our elementary students on skills thtat will help them become more confident and successful readers. I believe that reading is the fundamental skill that opens all other learning up for discovery.

This is my 18th year teaching in an elementary setting, the majority of which has been in Core Knowledge charter schools.   I hold a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Missouri and a master’s degree in reading and writing curriculum from Lesley University.   I returned to teaching when my youngest child was in elementary school after taking a break to raise four children.  

 Although not native to the state, I have lived here for the majority of my life and I love the opportunity that Colorado offers for outdoor recreation…excluding downhill skiing which has now been deemed too cold and too fast.   Instead I camp, hike, fish, and explore the many beautiful vistas our state has to offer. 

Miss Pilloud:

I am very excited for the 2023-2024 school year! This will be my seventh year at AACS and twelfth year in education. My favorite moments are when students have ah-ha moments and truly develop a passion for a specific topic. My own education includes two undergrad degrees in elementary education, psychology and a graduate degree in educational leadership. 

I grew up in an Air Force family, having lived all over the states and overseas for a few years in Europe. While I enjoy traveling and visiting different cultures, Colorado is home now. I love road- tripping around our beautiful state and finding the best coffee/ tea houses along the way. 


Ms. Forrest

  My name is Mickey Forrest and this is my tenth year teaching reading intervention at Aurora Academy Charter School. My background and experience ranges from preschool to elementary education, high school and elementary special education. I have a dual Bachelor of Science degree in elementary and special education from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.
  I have been teaching for many, many years and enjoy working with elementary school aged children. Teaching children to read has been my passion for a very long time and I enjoy the reward of watching the progress from the beginning of the year to the end of the school year! 
  I have two children of my own. My son is 22 and my daughter is 31. They both live here in Colorado. 
  If your child is a student in one of my reading groups; please do not hesitate to call or email me with any questions concerns or ideas to keep your child reading to achieve grade level success!

Mr. Keller

          Hello! This will be my seventh year teaching at Aurora Academy Charter School! I taught 3rd grade for my first four years and am very excited to continue my role in reading intervention for a third year. I have truly enjoyed my time here so far, getting to know the students and families. Reading is the key to unlocking the world, and I am passionate about helping students gain the skills necessary to explore books!

          My dad was in the Air Force, so we moved around quite a bit for the first few years of my life, but settled in Colorado in 1995, and we’ve been here ever since. I’ve lived in this community forever and love it! (I still remember when Havana Gardens was Buckingham Mall with a Joslins). I spent my childhood in the Cherry Creek School District, and I received my Bachelor’s in Human Development and Education in 2015. I like taking advantage of the nature Colorado has to offer, no matter the season- snowboarding in the winter/spring, hiking in the summer/fall.

          I look forward to working with new students, as well as continuing to work with students I have had in the past, and the parents as well. It truly takes help from everyone to help students be successful- please do not hesitate to call/email me with any questions, concerns, or suggestions!

Mr. Monko
Hello, my name is Evan Monko. I am a Math Interventionist for grades 6th through 8th. I began teaching in Philadelphia, PA where I specialized in Middle School Science. I then moved to Colorado where I taught science for 3 more years. I’m excited to be back for my second year at Aurora Academy. 

I am originally from Johnstown, a small town outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Hockey is one of my favorite hobbies. I am a big Pittsburgh Penguins fan, don’t worry though the Avalanche are my second team. I also enjoy writing, reading, hiking and video games. I also enjoy coaching flag football, basketball, and soccer at Aurora Academy.