Connections

Our Connections Teachers develop classroom content that incorporates diversity, interdisciplinary curriculum, and 21st century skills. Our talented teachers, all experts in their fields, endeavor to meet the needs and encourage the creative passions of each and every student through innovative lessons in art, foreign language, music and physical education.

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  Art

  Students will focus on the technical application of materials, finding their creative voice and confidence through experimentation and persistence.

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  Foreign Language

  Students in 4th grade-8th grade will learn to speak, read, and write in the chosen language and cultivate an appreciation for its culture and history.

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  Music

  Students will learn multi-cultural music that tells a story from countries across the world through rhythm and beat.

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  Physical Education

  Students will participate in activities that incorporate physical movement and social and emotional wellness.

 

Meet our Connections Teachers

Innovation

• Gwynn Moore

  Coming Soon

 

Foreign Language

• Bouchra Rifki- French

  She/Her/Hers
  French Teacher
  B.A. French and English Linguistics, Caddi-Ayyad Univeristy (in Morocco)
  M.A. in Educational Psychology, Univeristy of Colorado at Denver
  Bouchra.rifki@du.edu

  Bouchra is originally from Morocco and moved to France as a young child, where she lived for seven years. Since coming to the United States, Bouchra has taught French at the elementary, middle and high school levels. She likes to help students experience the joy of learning a new language while also accumulating a strong knowledge about the French culture. Bouchra is trilingual in French, Arabic and English. In her spare time, Bouchra likes to spend time with my family and travel to other countries experience the cultures different from my own.

• Aidan Miller - Japanese

  Coming Soon

 

Music

• Carol Smith

  She/Her/Hers
  Music Specialist
  B.A., Piano Performance, Carthage College
  carol.smith@du.edu

  This will be Carol's 26th year teaching at Ricks. Along with her 30 years of music teaching experience, Carol has studied graduate level piano at Florida State University, piano and choral conducting at the Lamont School of Music, as well as gifted education through the Morgridge School of Education at DU. She is a licensed Musikgarten instructor and participates in Orff teacher training workshops. In addition to sharing her passion for music with gifted children, Carol enjoys teaching singing classes for disabled adults, providing piano performances at nursing homes, and teaching her private piano students. Carol loves to play piano, hike in the mountains, golf, and spend time with her family.

 

Physical Education

• Eric Hobbs

  BS, Physical Education 

  eric.d.hobbs@du.edu

  Eric Hobbs brings a diverse and interdisciplinary background in education, the arts, and creative leadership. He began his career teaching in the Chicago Public Schools, where he worked with students across a range of ages and learning needs. During the summers, he taught at Francis W. Parker School, further deepening his experience in progressive, student-centered education.

  Alongside his work in schools, Eric pursued acting and improvisation in Chicago, training and performing within the city’s vibrant theater community. This background continues to inform his approach to teaching and leadership, emphasizing communication, adaptability, creativity, and human connection.

  Eric is also a self-taught photographer and previously owned and operated his own photography studio, where he developed strong skills in visual storytelling, project management, and client collaboration.

  For seven years, Eric co-owned and operated two Reggio Emilia–inspired preschools, where he focused on child-centered learning, inquiry-based curriculum design, and community engagement. Building on this work, he later served as a Project Manager for Higher Ground Education, supporting the development and launch of preschool campuses across the United States and internationally. In this role, he collaborated with educators, administrators, and stakeholders to establish high-quality early learning environments rooted in best practices and global perspectives.

  Eric’s professional path reflects a commitment to education, creativity, and thoughtful leadership, with experience spanning classrooms, studios, school startups, and international projects.

 

 

Art

• Absinthe Algaire

  M.Ed., Early Childhood Education with a concentration in Early Literacy

  MA, International Teaching

  BA, Psychology

  absinthe.algaier@du.edu

  As a third-culture adult, Absinthe brings a global perspective and a deep appreciation for diverse ways of seeing the world into her teaching. A dedicated visual arts educator, she blends creativity, empathy, and hands-on engagement to inspire students to explore, experiment, and express themselves with confidence. She lives in Denver with her partner, Brandon. In her spare time, she enjoys pampering her dog, Lemon, sampling different cuisines, traveling, and spa treatments.