Middle School Teachers

Our Middle School team works together to deliver a rigorous, integrated curriculum that builds on the Primary regimen and connects across all academic disciplines. Our teachers value creativity and are responsive to the needs of students in this emergent learning environment, where the learning process is embedded in trust and takes place in the context of relationships.

English

• Katie Noraseng

  She/Her/Hers  
  Upper School English  
  B.A. in Socio-Legal Studies and History, University of Denver 
  katie.noraseng@du.edu

  Katie began working at Ricks about five years ago in different roles as an undergraduate student at University of Denver (DU). This will be her second year as the ELA teacher. In the classroom, she challenges and encourages students to connect class material to themselves and the world around them to help them understand what they are learning. She also fosters community in middle school by building positive relationships with students through different activities. Outside of school, you’ll find her spending quality time with family and friends, reading, and doing crafts.

Mathematics

• Mataya Harrold

  B.A. Behavioral Science, Metropolitan State University of Denver
  Elementary Education License
  
  Mataya Harrold is a dedicated and experienced educator with a strong background in math, technology, and curriculum development. She has over ten years of teaching experience spanning various grade levels and subjects, from elementary school to high school equivalency with the vast amount of her career being focused on mathematics instruction in grades 4-8. She specializes in differentiating instruction to challenge and support gifted and advanced learners. Her instructional methods are informed by both data analysis and student interest. Mataya enjoys making learning engaging by incorporating real world problems, using hands-on applications and tools, and building relationships with her students. She particularly enjoys working with high-achieving and gifted students because of their eagerness to learn and make connections. 

  Mataya enjoys snowboarding, hiking, watching movies, traveling, and spending time with her family. Her family has chickens for pets!

• Jeff Cathrall

  Upper School Math Teacher/Instructional Coach
  B..A. in Mathematics, Stanford University
  M.A. in mathematics, specializing in probability and game theory, University of Colorado at Denver

  Jeff attended Stanford University on a full tennis scholarship and earned an undergraduate Mathematics degree. During that tenure, the tennis team won three consecutive NCAA team championships. Following his scholastics, he played professional tennis and achieved an ATP ranking in the top 400 worldwide.  In 2019, he was inducted into the Colorado tennis hall of fame. For most of his corporate career he worked in the financial industry as a software tester, actuary and mathematics analyst. During that career, he extended his education by obtaining a masters degree in mathematics, specializing in probability and game theory from University of Colorado at Denver.  He was the winner of the Top Graduate Student across all colleges for his thesis work.  Jeff has taught mathematics at the middle school, high school and college level for five plus years.  His approach to teaching is based on the thinking classroom model that emphasizes hands-on discovery learning through exploration of patterns and experiences. He serves as a guide to a collaborative quest for knowledge while developing key problem solving skills. His other passions include soccer, volleyball, bridge, reading and competition math.

Science

• Barbara Washington

  Upper School Science Teacher 
  B.B.A. in Business Administration 
  M.A.. in Educational Psychology 
  EdD, Curriculum & Instruction Gifted Education  
  Barbara.washington@du.edu

  Dr. Barbara is excited to return to the Ricks Center. She previously taught at multiple levels at Ricks for 12 years, including middle school Science/SETM, before leaving to complete her doctoral research. Gifted education and and gifted students are her passion, starting with her own three children who are now gifted adults. As an educator and advocate of gifted learners she strives to: 
  • Promote real-world problem solving and inquiry based learning 
  • Provide students with choices, interest and ownership in learning 
  • Empower students to express their voices and change the world 
  She looks forward to sharing her background in developing curriculum that incorporates critical and creative thinking with our middle school students. Dr. Barbara enjoys traveling to Greece once a year, watching movies with her family, and creating art when she gets the chance. The mosaic in the school's entryway was a Ricks community art project that Dr. Barbara designed. 
   

Social Studies

• Katie Noraseng

  She/Her/Hers  
  Upper School English  
  B.A. in Socio-Legal Studies and History, University of Denver 
  katie.noraseng@du.edu

  Katie began working at Ricks about five years ago in different roles as an undergraduate student at University of Denver (DU). This will be her second year as the ELA teacher. In the classroom, she challenges and encourages students to connect class material to themselves and the world around them to help them understand what they are learning. She also fosters community in middle school by building positive relationships with students through different activities. Outside of school, you’ll find her spending quality time with family and friends, reading, and doing crafts.

Instructional Specialist

• Ashley Johnson

  She/Her/Hers
  Upper School Math  and Social Studies Teacher/
  B.A. in Psychology
  M.A.. in Integrated Marketing and Communication
  ashley.johnson@du.edu

  Ms. Ashley  is a passionate and versatile educator with deep experience working with gifted students and a lifelong commitment to helping young people thrive. As both a teacher and the parent of two gifted children, she brings professional expertise and personal insight to her work, fueling her dedication to differentiation and cultivating a true love of learning.
  
  She is known for creating classrooms where gifted learners feel both challenged and supported, weaving reflective practices into her teaching to help students excel academically while also growing in self-awareness and resilience. Her teaching experience spans sexuality education, art, world religions, languages, mindfulness, general education and spans early childhood through postsecondary levels. She has directed programs for more than 250 children, directed youth camps, trained educators nationwide and managed teams.
  
  In addition to her work in education, Ms. Johnson built an extensive corporate career with focus in customer retention, data analysis, marketing and client experience. She is recognized for bringing authenticity, vulnerability and clarity to leadership and now runs a successful consulting practice that blends business strategy with personal coaching for entrepreneurs—all serving to enrich her passion for growth, self reflection and learning.
  
  Fun fact: Ms. Ashley is an avid traveler and has a knack for finding wisdom in the most unexpected places.