Heather B. Mock

An engaging and energetic leader, Heather Bushnell Mock is the founding head of school at Compositive Primary. In her 21 years as an educator, she has come to view herself as a “warm demander” and has grown to embrace the social and emotional development of the student as the most effective means to success in academics and life.

Heather’s experience covers the full primary through secondary journey, having taught and administered grades K-12. She comes to Compositive Primary from Dawson School in Lafayette, Colo. As associate head of school and K-8 director, she oversaw 270 students and 45 faculty members in both the middle and lower school divisions at Dawson. During her seven-year tenure, the school saw record levels of applicants, student retention and parental engagement. Prior to Dawson, Heather was an upper school class dean at Kent Denver School, shepherding the class of 2011 from their freshman year through successful graduation. She was responsible for everything from nurturing students’ academic achievement and character development, to serving as the main administrative point person for families and handling the logistical imperatives of class scheduling and discipline. Heather has also held teaching and/or administrative positions with progressively increasing responsibilities at The Maple Street School (Manchester, Vt.), The Head-Royce School (Oakland) and Sandia Preparatory School (Albuquerque).

She has served on four Association of Colorado Independent Schools (ACIS) reaccreditation teams and received multiple awards for excellence in teaching. Additionally, she has served on the boards of The Joshua School Boulder and Montview Community Preschool & Kindergarten.

A graduate of The Spence School in New York, Heather earned a bachelor’s degree in art history from Princeton University and a master’s degree in elementary education from Teachers College at Columbia University. She is also a graduate of the National Association of Independent Schools’ (NAIS) Aspiring Heads Institute. In addition, she attended the Harvard College Admissions Institute (2009) and spent a semester in Patagonia with the National Outdoor Leadership School (1992). Married with two teenage children, Heather is a marathon runner, has performed in community theater productions, and has been a certified Wilderness First Responder.

Gail Sonnesyn

Dr Clare Hammoor

Dr Clare Hammoor is a playful educator whose practice is animated by inquiry and joy. With a passion for collaboration and arts integration, Clare brings experience working with a diversity of folks to create genuine questions and deep learning.

Clare comes from Blue School in Manhattan where he was the Theatre Specialist and Director. During his time at Blue, Clare collaboratively developed an arts integration curriculum with a team of children, teachers, materials, administrators, and arts specialists. While in New York, Clare worked with Brooklyn Acting Lab as its Director of Education and directed theatre professionally. Clare has taught at New York University and University of Denver and given lectures across the US. He has led classes and workshops internationally and his writing appears in articles, chapters, and journal editorships. Clare’s passion for joy and justice has also led him to teach university courses in prisons for the past nine years. He is currently an instructor for the DU Prison Arts Initiative where he started a series of play-based arts workshops for children and their incarcerated parents. He is particularly animated by directing theatre with ensembles inside the prison system as a way of collectively imagining a more just and joyful world.

Clare earned a doctorate from NYU where his research focused on the agencies of children and things in play. If you’re looking for a particularly niche conversation starter, his diss is titled Theatre of Children: Absurd Agencies in/of the Anthropocene. He also holds a MA in Educational Theatre from NYU, and a BA in Theatre and Religious Studies from Indiana University. Clare loves reading, cooking, making new theatre, and antiquing with his partner, Ashley Hamilton.

Laura Levy

Laura Levy is an administrative assistant who joined the Compositive Primary team in 2021. She graduated from Wofford College with a B.A. in Art History and French. She spent a semester abroad in France where she studied the local art and French politics. Back at Wofford, she curated an exhibition at a local gallery titled, Religious Art of the American South: Sacred Spaces and Gathering Places, which served as her thesis. 

Before joining Compositive Primary Laura worked in the museum field. She interned at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts in Montgomery, Alabama and the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, Georgia before moving to Denver. She worked at the Denver Art Museum for over five years developing and implementing art based programs for kids and their families, including summer camps. Working in museums equipped Laura with the skills to manage large projects and implement culturally responsive practices. 

In her free time, you can catch Laura dog watching at Wash Park or trying out new bread recipes at home. She also enjoys hiking, yoga, and reading.

Sabrina Zizo

Sabrina Zizo is serving as an administrative assistant at Compositive Primary, bringing significant non-profit and communication experience, as well as personal warmth and dedication. Sabrina works to build and support the school’s mission by being committed to excellence in service, maximizing efficiency, and exemplifying teamwork.

Heather Rose Aguilera

Heather Rose Aguilera (“Heather Rose”) joined Compositive Primary’s team in 2021 as its facility manager. She spent four years at Denver Public Schools doing similar work. She loves being active during the day, juggling multiple projects, and interacting with people.

Heather Rose is a Colorado native and comes from a large family. Outside of work, her passion is baking and she hopes to go back to school to focus on baking and open her own bakery one day. Her favorite dessert to make is a tarte tatin! She also keeps busy doing CrossFit workouts six days a week.

Amira Ababio

Amira joined the Compositive team in 2019 as the founding ECE Lead Teacher. Amira holds a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies from Colorado State University and an M.A. in Early Childhood Education from the University of Colorado Denver.

Amira began her career in early childhood here in Denver, teaching at a non-profit preschool for three years. During her time there, she held various leadership roles including assistant director and manager of curriculum and family engagement. Amira holds a State of Colorado Coaching Credential and has coached preschool teachers in one of Denver’s largest Early/Head Start programs, supporting them in their professional growth and creating a quality educational experience for their students.

Amira believes that every child deserves the highest education possible. She is invested in serving the needs of all children and bringing creativity, diversity and most importantly, joy in the preschool
classroom. As a self-proclaimed foodie, you can find Amira exploring Denver’s plethora of fantastic food options with her fiancé and planning her next big adventure in her free time.

Absinthe Algaier

Absinthe brings to Compositive a perspective developed by an international upbringing. She has lived in 5 different countries throughout her life and enjoys exploring and teaching through a lens inspired by a worldview that celebrates the unique strengths brought forth by every individual!

Absinthe’s career in education began nine years ago in Thailand, where she discovered her love of teaching at Singapore International School, a tri-lingual program in the heart of Bangkok. She developed her teaching practice by obtaining an M.Ed in International Teaching through Framingham State University in 2015. After a quick move to Denver, she received her MA in Education and Human Development with a concentration in Early Literacy from a joint program through the University of Colorado and the Boulder Journey School. In Colorado, Absinthe has worked at Open Air Academy, a Reggio-inspired Pre-K program in RiNo, where she taught in a mixed-age classroom, as well as the Denver Jewish Community Center’s Early Learning School, another Reggio-inspired ECE program where she was the head-teacher for a classroom full of curious 3 and 4-year-olds.

When she is not in the classroom, Absinthe enjoys cooking and eating the spiciest foods she can endure, swimming, painting, reading, traveling, and spending quality time with her partner.

Mickey Alpert

Mickey’s primary classroom experience was as a lead teacher for the early childhood section of an Afterschool Program at St John’s School in Dallas, TX.  He also acted as Assistant to the Head of the Program and worked as co-teacher for several after school classes. These classes focused on theater, working as a team, and creative play.

 Mickey got his BFA in theatre performance from the University of Colorado, giving him a rich background in education, creative problem solving, and team building. He also grew up with seven siblings and is grateful to be actively involved in the lives of his nieces and nephew.

When working with children and adults, his vision for growth centers on kindness, community, and imagination – both for the students and for himself.

Nour Beck

Nour Beck is originally from Damascus, Syria. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from University of Northern Colorado and her Directors Certificate in ECE. She has been working with children for over nine years, six years at Aurora Public School. She believes that meeting the needs of students starts with knowing who they are. She chose teaching because working with children is her passion! Working with students and seeing them learn and grow throughout the school year brings her such joy. Nour loves being able to find different ways to connect with each child. She enjoys seeing the children’s smiling faces each day as they are reaching new milestones. Nour’s spirit leads her to help children work with each other and she feels great joy when children develop stronger relationships with their peers. She enjoys watching children learn to regulate their emotions and express their feelings. It is wonderful watching them solve their problems independently.

Outside of the classroom, Nour likes to travel and explore new places, volunteer, and help others. She loves cooking, crafting, camping, and spending time with her husband, their two children, and friends. Nour also loves gardening! Hands in the soil have definite stress-busting benefits. Painting stones is also what she loves most, as it helps to convey information in an artistic way. She is excited to join the Compositive family and looking forward to exploring with the students.

Izzy Chern

Izzy is joining Compositive for the 2021-2022 school year as a K/1 resident teacher. Izzy is a recent Graduate of the University of Denver holding a B.A. in theatre and a minor in psychology. Originally from Chicago, she moved to Denver four years ago for undergrad. She has always been pulled to the classroom and is overcome with excitement about joining the Compositive Family as her first formal job in education. 

During her time at the University of Denver, she assisted in bringing theatre and creativity into many different communities. She was involved in a program in Zanzibar, Tanzania working with teens to devise a play based on social issues they faced in their community. She has also joined DU Prison Arts Initiative in family days where she helped lead child-forward theatre games with the incarcerated folks and their young family members. During her 14 years as a theatre-maker, accessibility within the arts has become a huge priority. Her goal as an educator is to promote play, creativity, and fun among students from all different walks of life. 

In her free time Izzy likes to make art in any medium she can get her hands on including (but not at all limited to) drawing, poetry, photography, and theatre. 

Danny Goodman

Danny joined the Compositive team in 2019, after relocating to Denver from New York City. As a performer and theater artist, he combines his passion for theater and music with his love of learning. He previously taught and served as music director with Brooklyn Acting Lab for four years with children of all ages. He is excited to foster opportunities for Compositive students to learn and grow through imaginative play and creative discovery.

After completing his BA in theater from College of the Holy Cross, Danny toured with Hampstead Stage Co. bringing theater to elementary schools and public libraries across the country. He subsequently received his MFA in acting from the American Repertory Theater/Moscow Art Theater Institute for Advanced Theater Training at Harvard University, where he had the opportunity to study and perform in Russia. As an actor he has performed all over the U.S. and abroad. He is also a co-founder of CRASH Theater Co. in New York with his wife and schoolmates.

Outside the classroom, Danny enjoys exploring the Colorado outdoors with his wife: hiking, camping, kayaking, and playing tennis. He likes to have a guitar or mandolin nearby whenever possible.

Lindsey Grayson

Carly Koch

Tamarra Nelson

Matisse Newton

Matisse is an enthusiastic educator with a strong passion for hands-on, child-centered learning. She is joining the Compositive Primary family as a Resident Teacher, bringing a focus on compassion, empathy and laughter to the classroom. Matisse has a lifelong love for learning and feels empowered to learn alongside children each and every day.

Matisse began her career in education at Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts where she graduated with a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education. There she interned at several public and private schools around the state and found her first true calling at a play-based, Reggio inspired preschool in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She co-taught in a preschool classroom for 3-4 year olds over the course of four amazing years. With a love for travel she was ecstatic to have the opportunity to teach at a preschool in Taichung, Taiwan for three summers in a row. While in Taiwan, she taught, lived and learned through the lens of a different culture, broadening her perspective on education in general. Matisse visited the mountains of Colorado for professional development and fell in love. Shortly thereafter she moved to Boulder to pursue a Masters in Human Learning and Development from the University of Colorado Denver through the Boulder Journey School Teacher Education Program, where she also taught in a 2-3 year old classroom for a year. 

Outside of the classroom, Matisse can be found in the kitchen, listening to music and cooking up something savory or spicy before heading to a cozy spot to knit or read. She is passionate about hiking and being outside as much as possible and has recently begun a journey in exploring nature through camping whenever the occasion arises. 

Olivia O’Neill

Olivia joined the Compositive team for the 2021-2022 school year as the 2nd grade lead teacher. Olivia’s experience in the classroom came from her job as a 1st grade assistant teacher at an independent school in Denver. There, she enjoyed creating relationships with students and curating an inclusive space for all learners in the classroom.

Before moving out to Colorado to start her career in education, Olivia grew up outside of DC and went on to graduate from Colby College with a B.A in Education. In college, she loved to find where her educational studies intersected with her anthropology and visual art minor. During the academic year, Olivia led a pre-K — 1st grade arts education program at the Colby Art Museum and over the summers, she ran an outdoor adventure summer camp that she founded in her hometown. 

Outside of the classroom, Olivia enjoys running, skiing, hiking, cooking, and most recently, printmaking and gravel biking! She is thrilled to be surrounded by such curious minds at Compositive and looks forward to learning and growing alongside her students.

Meaghan Seelaus

Meaghan joined the Compositive team in 2019 as the founding K/1 lead teacher. She holds a B.A. in Architectural Studies from Connecticut College and a M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education from Lesley University.

Meaghan started her career in Washington D.C. as the founding K-1 teacher at an International Baccalaureate Chinese immersion public charter school. She later moved to the Lowell School, a progressive independent school in D.C., where she taught both Kindergarten and 1st grade.

In 2013, Meaghan founded her own educational company to provide personalized tutoring for students in grades PreK-3 and therapy for children with special needs. In addition, she designed and created the educational iPad app for children Ollie’s Handwriting & Phonics.

When she’s not in the classroom, Meaghan can be found hiking with three small children, running, bouldering, or learning to play the guitar.

Ivory Williams

Ivory Monique Williams has been teaching for 24 years as a preschool teacher and it is truly her passion. Ivory’s love for teaching young children started with watching her mom teach and being her assistant at age 19. She has loved it ever since. 

Ivory strongly believes that encouraging children to love learning starts early to ensure that they remain lifelong learners. She’s learned that following the children’s lead in what they are curious about is the best strategy to give them the skills for success. Inquiry-based and student-driven teaching keeps their attention and motivation to learn. 

Ivory had the opportunity to teach at some remarkable schools: Vista Peak Exploratory P-8, Clayton Early Learning Educare, and the Jewish Community Center. She also taught as a private teacher during Covid. She’s been in countless workshops and trainings, and a few where she was instilled as an Educator. Ivory had the opportunity to be trained by Lilian Katz, writer of ”Young Investigators; The Project Approach.” That’s when she fell in love with inquiry-based learning. She has also been trained in Touch Points and learned so much about the importance of family involvement. Working with Sesame Street was one of the funniest opportunities that she has had thus far. Sesame Street taught her how to use technology in the classroom and get the children involved with learning in the new millennium. 

In her spare time, Ivory enjoys being with her family, especially her two girls, Eboni Rose and Daisy Mae (fur babies). She loves cooking and trying new recipes from Pinterest. Art is her true passion and she’s learning to work with oil pastels.