6th Grade - Derek Richardson

I am entering my 16th year at Euclid Middle School and 19th year in education.  Originally from Nebraska, I have 3 kids who attend Gaskill elementary and my wife is a 1998 Littleton High School graduate.  I am an avid reader and spend much of my free time with my kids and wife.  We like to camp, travel and watch football together.  My graduate studies include a little bit of curriculum and instruction and a whole lot of psychology/school counseling.  When my teaching career comes to an end I hope to be a Licensed Professional Counselor and work with school-aged students in a capacity that is similar yet different from my current role.  I believe the most important consideration in teaching is building relationships with students and families.  Although this year is my first official year as a GT facilitator for 6th grade I have many years under my belt of working with students on ALPs and helping them to improve their work habits and their grit.

7th Grade - Val Grenawalt

I am a long-time LPS educator, serving at different times as an instructional coach, GT Facilitator, LA, and STEAM teacher. I enjoy the energy and enthusiasm of middle level students. As a teacher, my passion is for helping students develop a life-long love of reading and develop as writers. With a husband who taught at Heritage, and two children who recently graduated from the LHS IB Diploma Programme, I am a strong believer in the partnership between LPS teachers and families. I hold a B.A. in history and English from Tufts University and a master's degree from DU in education and in library science.

8th Grade - Jon Call

This is my third year teaching, all of which have been at Euclid Middle School. I was born and raised in Cody, Wyoming, but I moved to Colorado from Chicago, where I attended Lake Forest College and participated in the student newspaper, literary magazine, and Writing Center. I graduated college in 2020 with a BA in English Literature and a Master's in Teaching. I've taught at both the middle school and high school levels in Waukegan and on the Southside of Chicago. Through these experiences, I developed a student-first philosophy, creating relationships with my students and establishing a comfortable, caring environment in the classroom. While I've been developing my skills as a teacher these past three years, I also sponsor the Creative Writing Club, which gives students a space to be creative and talk about writing. I am excited to learn more about teaching and advocating for Gifted and Talented students, and I am more than happy to work with you if you have any questions or concerns.