Rainbow Fish Classroom
The PreK Classrooms at the University of Denver’s Fisher Early Learning Center serve children ages 4 to 5 in a dynamic, play-based environment designed to prepare them for a confident transition to kindergarten. Our educators use research-based curricula, including Creative Curriculum (CC) and Connect for Learning (C4L) and Handwriting without Tears, to provide developmentally appropriate, interdisciplinary experiences that integrate social-emotional development, language and literacy, math, science, and problem-solving into meaningful daily learning.
Through project-based investigations, hands-on exploration, and consistent routines, children strengthen social independence, leadership skills, and a growing sense of responsibility while building strong academic and social foundations. We partner closely with families to create a supportive community where every child feels capable, prepared, and excited to take the next step in their learning journey.
Classroom Teachers
Abbey Love, Lead Teacher
Abbey is excited to be joining the Rainbow Fish community as the new Lead Teacher for the remainder of the school year. She recently celebrated her seventh year at Fisher, and for three of those years she worked directly with Pre-K, including two years in the Rainbow Fish classroom.
Abbey understands that transitions can bring a mix of emotions and is committed to making this change feel smooth, comforting, and positive for all children. She looks forward to getting to know each child—their strengths, interests, and what helps them feel confident and successful at school. Abbey is also excited to collaborate with Mr. Zak. They have worked together in the past and share a close friendship as musicians in their children’s band, A2Z, and she is thrilled to reconnect as co-teachers.
Abbey looks forward to partnering with families to create a joyful, supportive, and engaging rest of the school year. She deeply values strong home–school communication and welcomes questions, insights, or opportunities to connect.
Zak Hathaway, Associate Teacher
Zak Hathaway earned a BA in History and an MA in Teaching from the University of Arkansas before heading west to begin his teaching career. January marks his twentieth year as a lead Pre-K teacher. He taught for nearly a decade in Seattle before moving to Denver in 2014 with his family. Zak has been married for sixteen years, and he and his wife have two sons—a fourth grader and a freshman.
Zak has taught at Fisher for two and a half years, including two years as a lead teacher in the Rainbow Fish classroom, making this a homecoming of sorts for him. Kindness, humor, and enthusiasm are his guiding lights as an educator. He loves being silly with the ABCs and enjoys playing guitar and singing with the children. Zak welcomes conversations with families and is dedicated to ensuring each child in the Rainbow Fish classroom has a joyful final winter and spring at Fisher while building the skills they need to thrive in kindergarten.
Jeremy Burns, Continuity of Care Associate
Jeremy is excited to be at Fisher. He previously worked in behavioral therapy and discovered that his strengths and passions are best suited for care and education. Jeremy loves to perform and has classical training in voice, acting, and several musical instruments.
He believes that children deserve every opportunity to become the best versions of themselves and enjoys supporting and encouraging their growth. In his free time, Jeremy enjoys reading and is teaching himself several languages. He looks forward to meeting families and becoming part of the Fisher community.
