Head of School
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.
Director of Outreach
Marcie Prokupek
Marcie joined the Compositive Primary team in 2018 as Director of Outreach, focusing on marketing, admissions, and operations. A fast starter and reflective leader, Marcie quickly gains an understanding of situations, needs, and obstacles, and then develops and implements strategic solutions. She is known for bringing together the right people and resources, including project teams, cross-functional staff, and external community partners, to launch new and manage existing programs and organizations.
Marcie’s multi-faceted career includes diverse business and community experience, including consulting to businesses in the education, finance, and restaurant industries, corporate banking, and not-for-profit development. As founder of Spring Consulting, Marcie provided client relationship, strategic, and operational support to clients including Graland Country Day School, OnePoint Accounting, and Tava Kitchen. She gained valuable experience managing relationships and making financial recommendations while employed with Geronimo Financial, M&I Bank, and First Chicago Bank. Marcie also spent several years working in non-profit development at the Milwaukee Art Museum, where she co-managed the annual giving program and generated exhibition sponsorships.
Community board work in recent years involves the Global Livingston Institute, Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, Kent Denver School, and Graland Country Day School. Other volunteer experience includes Young President’s Organization, Teach for America, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Colorado Children’s Campaign, and Webb-Waring Institute. Marcie earned an MBA from the University of Michigan and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Northwestern University. She has two daughters and enjoys traveling, the arts, and being active (yoga, cycling and running are current favorites) in her free time.
Dir. of Inquiry & Instruction
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.
Facility Manager
Mike Collins
Mike joined the Compositive Primary team in 2020 as the Facilities Manager, focusing on implementing procedures and standards to ensure all facilities are properly maintained and in safe operations. Through his military service, Mike gained an extensive understanding of situational awareness and attention to detail and holds safety and security at the highest level of importance. He is known for his ability to fix just about anything that comes his way.
Mike holds an A.A.S. in Power Utility and has trade completions in facility maintenance and overhead line construction. He has a wealth of experience in carpentry, electrical, plumbing, HVAC and fine woodworking. He served in the U.S. Army as a Combat Engineer, where he participated in two campaigns, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. Recently, he held different positions while working for the State of Colorado. During his time with the Colorado Community College System, he was responsible for making necessary repairs and maintaining the Lowry Campus, a 313 acre campus devoted to higher education. Also, he worked for the Department of Human Services as a Youth Services Specialist where he coached and mentored high-risk youth within the behavior management program and role modeled pro-social behavior. Mike gained an appreciation for the development of high-risk youth, having learned appropriate engagement and guidance were essential for their success. He is passionate about serving others around him and gains a high level of happiness in life by doing so.
Mike is a proud husband, father of two boys, and dog owner of three. Outside of Compositive Primary, he enjoys remodeling his house, playing video games with his kids, and going to different parks around Denver. He loves to fish, making him a frequent visitor to Aurora, Quincy, and Cherry Creek Reservoirs.
Administrative Assistant
Kiyana Newell
Kiyana has a Bachelor’s in political science with a minor in philosophy from the University of Kentucky. In her discipline, she learned about topics such as elections in developing countries and legal philosophical ethics in the American government. During her academic career she also studied abroad in Costa Rica. While studying abroad, she wrote an analysis of Costa Rica’s stable economy due to its increase of tourism.
As a research assistant in the political science department, Kiyana was able to study quantitative data within a population that was affected by felon disenfranchisement. From there she led and managed focus groups, which required her to manage time, stay organized, and work first hand with participants. Being a research assistant also gave her the skill set of working with election data. Lastly, she performed typical office assistant duties such as scheduling events, completing tasks within a deadline, and having a professional demeanor.
Kiyana has spent time in the energy industry. Her experience equipped her with the skills of thinking on her feet and staying on a structured and timely schedule. This employment gave Kiyana the opportunity to work both individually and as part of a team. The face-to-face interactions and phone conversations with people allowed her to fine tune my interpersonal skills.
In her free time, Kiyana enjoys being on the Denver scene with her friends. She likes rollerskating, eating tacos, and catching up on local Denver events!
Administrative Assistant
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.
She previously worked in event and program development for nearly three years at Railroad Park, a nationally award winning urban park in downtown Birmingham. While at Railroad Park, Sabrina executed programs that provided free health and wellness and financial education classes to everyone, promoting a stronger community.
Prior to graduating from the University of Montevallo with a bachelor’s degree in Communication and a minor in Public Relations, Sabrina interned with Alabama Rivers Alliance, Shelby County Children’s Advocacy Center, and Shelby County Newspapers, Inc., all organizations working to reveal imperative messages.
In her personal time, Sabrina enjoys paddling on a river, traveling, reading or trying out a new dance class.
Early Childhood Lead Teacher
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.
Storytelling Atelierista
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.
Early Childhood Lead Teacher
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.
K/1 Lead Teacher
Meaghan Fitzgerald
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 her husband and three small children, running, bouldering, or learning to play the guitar.
Resident Atelierista
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.
Resident Teacher
Nick Magles
Nick Magles brings with him to Compositive a diverse set of experiences both in and out of the classroom, and a life-long love of learning. He finds joy in connecting with students to discover their interests and helping them find and pursue their own motivations to learn.
Nick graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Washington. He then discovered the rewarding nature of teaching as an English instructor in South Korea. He later continued teaching English in Mexico, then moved back to his native Seattle, where he worked with the Boys & Girls Club. He then joined Creative Coding, teaching computer programming to kids in after-school classes and camps. He soon branched into curriculum development and became the company’s Development Manager. Having moved to Aurora with his wife, he hopes to use his knowledge of technology education to help enrich the experience of Compositive Primary’s students.
Outside the school, you may find Nick relaxing with his wife and two cats, playing or designing board games, or watching the Sounders beat the Rapids.
Resident Teacher
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.
K/1 Lead Teacher
Natalie Roth
Natalie Roth joined the Compositive team for the 2019-2020 school year. Natalie’s past experiences are rooted in elementary and early childhood education. She began her career as a teacher at the Birch Wathen Lennox School, an independent K-12 school in New York City, where she taught in the 2nd and 3rd grade classrooms and coached the lower and upper school squash teams. Since moving to Denver, Natalie has worked at the Primrose School at Stapleton, where she most recently served as the School Director. Natalie is passionate about working with teachers to create welcoming and engaging learning environments for students.
Natalie graduated from Hamilton College with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and received her Master’s degree in Childhood Education from Fordham University. When Natalie is not working to support teachers and students, she can be found skiing with her husband, hiking with her dog, relaxing with a good book, or playing games with her three kids.
Resident Teacher
Hallie Schmidt
Hallie joined the Compositive team in 2020 as an early childhood Resident Teacher. Hallie grew up outside of Baltimore, Maryland, holds a BA in Studio Art and Art History from the University of Maryland in College Park, and just completed her MAT in Elementary Education at Johns Hopkins University.
Hallie began her teaching career at Green Acres School, a coeducational independent school in North Bethesda, Maryland, where she taught art to grades 1-8. She decided 30 minutes once a week was not enough time with her kiddos, and made the decision to relocate to Baltimore to pursue her master’s degree in elementary education, where she has been interning and teaching in both public and charter schools for the past year, with 1st and 3rd grade learners.
Hallie believes in catering to the whole child, through student-led and curiosity-driven teaching practices that honors the social/emotional growth and individual learning needs of each student.
As a new Colorado resident, Hallie is so excited to start exploring Denver, and can’t wait to climb big rocks, run long trails, and camp with her doggo in the Rockies!!
Resident Teacher
Elysée Stansbury
Elysée is an enthusiastic educator with a passion for student-centered and inquiry-based learning. Much of her career as a teacher has also been combined with her love for the outdoors. She has spent the past 8 years teaching students ages 3-18 in a variety of nature-based programs designed to support the social and emotional needs of students. These programs include Northwest Youth Corps in Oregon, TRAILS Carolina in North Carolina, and Concordia Language Villages in Minnesota where she served as Assistant Dean of a wilderness French immersion program. Fueled by her interest in progressive education, Elysée traveled to New Zealand to join the organizing team of the 2015 International Democratic Education Conference and work with some of the world’s most innovative leaders in education. This experience furthered her passion for creating meaningful and engaging learning experiences tailored to students’ interests. Elysée then went on to spend three years teaching at High Trails Outdoor Science School in California.
Elysée graduated from Hendrix College with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and French. When she is not spending time with students, she loves rock climbing, cooking, canoeing, and traveling.
