Special Education
Heather Creech
Speech Therapist
hcreech@cherrycreekschools.org
Education
Arizona State University — B.A. Speech and Hearing Sciences
University of Cincinnati — M.A. Speech-Language Pathology
Certification: ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competency
Endorsement: Special Education Generalist
Favorite Quote
“When you value people, accepting them and including them comes naturally.” -unknown
Kate Johnson
Speech Therapist
kjohnson18@cherrycreekschools.org
Education
The Ohio State University - B.A. in Special Education
University of Colorado Boulder - M.A. in Speech Language Pathology
Certification: ASHA Certification of Clinical Competency
Favorite Quote
"To live is an awfully big adventure." - Peter Pan
Lauren Vignali
Occupational Therapist
lvignali@cherrycreekschools.org
Education
Bachelor's Degree (B.S.) in Health Promotion & Sports Medicine, Coastal Carolina University
Master's Degree (M.S.) in Occupational Therapy, Utica University
Favorite Quote
"Believe you can and you're halfway there." -Theodore Roosevelt
Nicole Johnson
ILC Teacher
njohnson52@cherrycreekschools.org
Education
Bachelor of Art in Psychology, University of Virginia
Masters of Teaching in Special Education and Elementary Education, University of Virginia
Professional Teachers License: Special Education Generalist, Elementary Education K-6
Favorite Quote
"I have learned that people will forget what you have said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou
Nicole Lee
ILC Teacher
nlee20@cherrycreekschools.org
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Nutrition - University of Northern Colorado
Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education- Colorado Christian University
Endorsements: -Special Education Generalist (Ages 5-21)
- Elementary Education (K-6)
Favorite Quote
"Magic is believing in yourself, if you can do that, you can make anything happen." ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Jessi Estes
Moderate Needs Teacher
jestes2@cherrycreekschools.org
Education
Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Denver
Master's Degree in Special Education from Regis University
Favorite Quote
"Every child deserves a champion, an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be." - Rita Pierson
Valerie Manspeaker
Learning Specialist
vmanspeaker@cherrycreekschools.org
Education
BA History from Colorado State University
MA Special Education University of Northern Colorado
Favorite Quote
“A child's life is like a piece of paper on which every person leaves a mark.” — Chinese proverb
Adam Parker
Psychologist
aparker38@cherrycreekschools.org
Education
Educational Specialist Degree in School Psychology (Ed.S)
Favorite Quote
“Nothing you wear is more important than your smile.”
Candace Holte
Social Worker
cholte@cherrycreekschools.org
Education
Azusa Pacific University- Bachelor Degree- Social Work and Political Science
Regent University- Master's Degree- Government - Law and Public Policy
University of Denver Master's Degree - Social Work
Licensure: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Certification: Trauma Informed Practice
Favorite Quote
"No matter how busy you are, you must take the time to make the other person feel important."
~Mary Kay Ash
Philosophy and Goals
The mission of the Cherry Creek District is to educate each student to think, to learn, to achieve, and to care. We are committed to this mission and to collaborating with general education teachers to provide quality education for all students, including those with special needs. We recognize the critical need for all students to achieve their highest potential.
Program Highlights
Learning Disabilities
Mrs. Manspeaker and Mrs. Estes provide assessments and services for students with perceptual and communication disabilities that significantly affect student achievement.
Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Lee provide services for students with significant support needs and Autism. The ILC classroom is a place where students learn life skills and instruction driven by the student's individualized education plan. The ILC program also includes adaptations for general education curriculum, and provides opportunities for inclusion within the general education classroom for students with significant disabilities.
Speech/Language
Mrs. Creech provides assessments and services for students with communication disabilities that have an adverse effect on educational performance.
Occupational Therapy
Mrs. Vignali provides assessments and services that help students with fine and gross motor needs as well as sensory needs that significantly impact classroom functioning.
Mental Health Services — Psychologist and Social Worker
Our mental health team provides individual, small group and classroom mental health interventions and supports so students can more readily access learning and be successful. Additionally, Mr. Parker and Mrs. Holte support parents and teachers and administers assessments to understand how students learn best in order to build on strengths and target areas of need.