Mrs. Ana Melton
Hi! My Name is Ana. Melton! I live in Aurora with my husband Jason & our 3 year old son, Wyatt. I enjoy traveling & being with friends and family. I will be your child’s 2nd grade teacher for the 2018-2019 school year!
In May of 2002, I graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Humanities: Sociology, Psychology, & Spanish from Fort Lewis College. In May 2008, I graduated from University of Phoenix with a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. In 2012, I earned a certification in Literacy & Language Development for ELLs from Colorado University of Denver.
This will be my 11th year teaching & my first year at Pine Ridge Elementary & I am excited to make this my best year yet!
Hi! My Name is Ana. Melton! I live in Aurora with my husband Jason & our 3 year old son, Wyatt. I enjoy traveling & being with friends and family. I will be your child’s 2nd grade teacher for the 2018-2019 school year!
In May of 2002, I graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Humanities: Sociology, Psychology, & Spanish from Fort Lewis College. In May 2008, I graduated from University of Phoenix with a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. In 2012, I earned a certification in Literacy & Language Development for ELLs from Colorado University of Denver.
This will be my 11th year teaching & my first year at Pine Ridge Elementary & I am excited to make this my best year yet!
Mrs. Christina Romero
Hello! My name is Mrs. Christina Romero! I will be your child’s 2nd grade teacher for the 2018-2019 school year. This is my first year teaching at Pine Ridge Elementary, and I am looking forward to getting to know all of my students and their families!
I graduated from UNC with a degree in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Instruction. Prior to graduation, I worked at Pine Ridge as a paraeducator for four years. I have seen education through many lenses and feel that having had these experiences has made me a strong and passionate educator!
I have been happily married to a Denver Fire Fighter for fourteen years. We have three boys, all of whom attend Fox Ridge Middle School. We also have a Westie puppy named Poppy.
Hello! My name is Mrs. Christina Romero! I will be your child’s 2nd grade teacher for the 2018-2019 school year. This is my first year teaching at Pine Ridge Elementary, and I am looking forward to getting to know all of my students and their families!
I graduated from UNC with a degree in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Instruction. Prior to graduation, I worked at Pine Ridge as a paraeducator for four years. I have seen education through many lenses and feel that having had these experiences has made me a strong and passionate educator!
I have been happily married to a Denver Fire Fighter for fourteen years. We have three boys, all of whom attend Fox Ridge Middle School. We also have a Westie puppy named Poppy.
Mr. Scott Mulligan
Hello everyone! My name is Scott Mulligan and this will be my seventh year teaching and my third year here at Pine Ridge. I am so excited to be back in the Cherry Creek School District. Before teaching 2nd grade here at Pine Ridge, I taught a dual 3rd & 4th grade in Jeffco Public Schools and also 2nd grade in Aurora Public Schools. I got my M.A. degree at Regis University in 2012 and have loved teaching ever since! I have known that I wanted to be an elementary school teacher since I was in 2nd grade. I hope to inspire all of my students as I was in school to reach for the stars! Last year, I earned my second Masters Degree from Regis University in Administration and Principal Licensure. I hope to be an Assistant Principal within the next few years in the Cherry Creek School District.
When I am not teaching, I try to stay as active as I can! During my first M.A. program, I opened and managed my own online bakery. Because of this, I love to bake all sorts of desserts. I feel that my iPad is my endless cookbook and love experimenting all the time with foreign and crazy foods! I enjoy hiking, skiing, cooking, and traveling with my friends and family! I have been to 9 countries across our amazing world ranging from France, Japan, Germany, Switzerland and Ireland. I am currently planning my next big trip to New Zealand & Australia. I absolutely love to travel and try and travel at least once a year. My favorite country that I have ever been to has to be Japan because Japanese is my second language and absolutely love the culture the country has to offer! I have an English Bulldog, Emi Lou, who is one of my best friends and also a French Bulldog named Ozzie. Named after the amazing St. Louis Cardinals player, Ozzie Smith. I love bringing them wherever I can to make others smile and laugh as they do for me every day. Over the summer, I married my best friend. We are enjoying married life and settling in to our brand new house near downtown Denver.
Teaching is something that I wake up every morning and am excited to do as my profession. I am so honored to be a teacher here at Pine Ridge and hope to establish wonderful relationships with every student and family member that walks through our classroom door! I hope to meet you all and let's have an amazing year here in 2nd grade!!
Please click on my name above to find my class website.
Hello everyone! My name is Scott Mulligan and this will be my seventh year teaching and my third year here at Pine Ridge. I am so excited to be back in the Cherry Creek School District. Before teaching 2nd grade here at Pine Ridge, I taught a dual 3rd & 4th grade in Jeffco Public Schools and also 2nd grade in Aurora Public Schools. I got my M.A. degree at Regis University in 2012 and have loved teaching ever since! I have known that I wanted to be an elementary school teacher since I was in 2nd grade. I hope to inspire all of my students as I was in school to reach for the stars! Last year, I earned my second Masters Degree from Regis University in Administration and Principal Licensure. I hope to be an Assistant Principal within the next few years in the Cherry Creek School District.
When I am not teaching, I try to stay as active as I can! During my first M.A. program, I opened and managed my own online bakery. Because of this, I love to bake all sorts of desserts. I feel that my iPad is my endless cookbook and love experimenting all the time with foreign and crazy foods! I enjoy hiking, skiing, cooking, and traveling with my friends and family! I have been to 9 countries across our amazing world ranging from France, Japan, Germany, Switzerland and Ireland. I am currently planning my next big trip to New Zealand & Australia. I absolutely love to travel and try and travel at least once a year. My favorite country that I have ever been to has to be Japan because Japanese is my second language and absolutely love the culture the country has to offer! I have an English Bulldog, Emi Lou, who is one of my best friends and also a French Bulldog named Ozzie. Named after the amazing St. Louis Cardinals player, Ozzie Smith. I love bringing them wherever I can to make others smile and laugh as they do for me every day. Over the summer, I married my best friend. We are enjoying married life and settling in to our brand new house near downtown Denver.
Teaching is something that I wake up every morning and am excited to do as my profession. I am so honored to be a teacher here at Pine Ridge and hope to establish wonderful relationships with every student and family member that walks through our classroom door! I hope to meet you all and let's have an amazing year here in 2nd grade!!
Please click on my name above to find my class website.
Mr. Matt Ihme
I am very excited to be a part of the second grade team here at Pine Ridge Elementary. This is my 2nd year teaching second grade and I am blessed to be on a fabulous team. I have taught 1st grade for three years here at Pine Ridge as well. I grew up in the Cherry Creek School District and graduated from Cherokee Trail High School in 2009. My education continued at the University of Northern Colorado where I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse endorsement. I just finished my masters in Sports Coaching and Administration.
I was born and raised in Aurora, Colorado. I enjoy the outdoors and spend a lot my time hunting, fishing, and camping in the mountains. I also love playing golf, spending time with family and friends, and traveling. As I grew up I played a variety of sports such as football, basketball, golf, and mainly baseball. I played Varsity baseball at Cherokee Trail and lettered all 4 years. After graduating Cherokee Trail, I was offered a coaching position and have enjoyed coaching there the past several years.
I married my high school sweetheart, Kimberly Ihme. We are blessed to have started our lives together; each having teaching positions. We make each other better people and teachers as we are consistently reflecting upon one another’s experiences. We were blessed to welcome our baby boy Hunter in the world in April of 2016. We are expecting another boy that will be here this September!!
I am thrilled to start this school year and continue my involvement with this amazing community! I hope to form lasting relationships with all of my students and each of their families. Together we can make a great foundation of learning for these awesome kiddos. Welcome to Pine Ridge! We’re going to have an exciting year together!
I am very excited to be a part of the second grade team here at Pine Ridge Elementary. This is my 2nd year teaching second grade and I am blessed to be on a fabulous team. I have taught 1st grade for three years here at Pine Ridge as well. I grew up in the Cherry Creek School District and graduated from Cherokee Trail High School in 2009. My education continued at the University of Northern Colorado where I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse endorsement. I just finished my masters in Sports Coaching and Administration.
I was born and raised in Aurora, Colorado. I enjoy the outdoors and spend a lot my time hunting, fishing, and camping in the mountains. I also love playing golf, spending time with family and friends, and traveling. As I grew up I played a variety of sports such as football, basketball, golf, and mainly baseball. I played Varsity baseball at Cherokee Trail and lettered all 4 years. After graduating Cherokee Trail, I was offered a coaching position and have enjoyed coaching there the past several years.
I married my high school sweetheart, Kimberly Ihme. We are blessed to have started our lives together; each having teaching positions. We make each other better people and teachers as we are consistently reflecting upon one another’s experiences. We were blessed to welcome our baby boy Hunter in the world in April of 2016. We are expecting another boy that will be here this September!!
I am thrilled to start this school year and continue my involvement with this amazing community! I hope to form lasting relationships with all of my students and each of their families. Together we can make a great foundation of learning for these awesome kiddos. Welcome to Pine Ridge! We’re going to have an exciting year together!
Mrs. Kathy Ankenbruck
I was born and raised here in beautiful Colorado. This will be my twelfth year teaching and have taught at Pine Ridge for seven years. Over the years, I have taught both fourth and second grade, and earned my Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Development.
I have been married for 5 years to a wonderful man named Jeff. We have two little boys’ named Carter and Jack. Carter just turned 4 and Jack will be 2 in October. They brighten all of our days with their big smiles and eagerness to explore the world. Our summer was filled with Carter learning to ride a bike without training wheels and Jack just tried to keep up with his big brother! As a family, we love to hike, camp, and find new adventures. Also, my family lives very close and we have many weekend events!
Teaching has been a passion of mine since I was a little kid. I have high expectations for my students and strive to meet their individual needs! I am always thinking about what is best for the child. They will have fun, be challenged, learn about each other, and grow into responsible students.
I believe open communication is the key to developing working relationships with families. I believe for the students to be successful we must work as a team. If one person struggles, the whole team struggles. If one person excels, we all excel. As well as with your support and partnership your child will have a positive second grade year. I look forward to getting to know each of you and your child.
Let the year begin!
Kathy Ankenbruck
I was born and raised here in beautiful Colorado. This will be my twelfth year teaching and have taught at Pine Ridge for seven years. Over the years, I have taught both fourth and second grade, and earned my Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Development.
I have been married for 5 years to a wonderful man named Jeff. We have two little boys’ named Carter and Jack. Carter just turned 4 and Jack will be 2 in October. They brighten all of our days with their big smiles and eagerness to explore the world. Our summer was filled with Carter learning to ride a bike without training wheels and Jack just tried to keep up with his big brother! As a family, we love to hike, camp, and find new adventures. Also, my family lives very close and we have many weekend events!
Teaching has been a passion of mine since I was a little kid. I have high expectations for my students and strive to meet their individual needs! I am always thinking about what is best for the child. They will have fun, be challenged, learn about each other, and grow into responsible students.
I believe open communication is the key to developing working relationships with families. I believe for the students to be successful we must work as a team. If one person struggles, the whole team struggles. If one person excels, we all excel. As well as with your support and partnership your child will have a positive second grade year. I look forward to getting to know each of you and your child.
Let the year begin!
Kathy Ankenbruck
Mrs. Holly Reifman
Hi! My Name is Holly Reifman! I live in Aurora with my husband Andy, who is a fire fighter for SACFD, our 15 year old son, Hunter who attends Cherokee Trail High School and my two dogs Lola and Stella. I enjoy photography, traveling, time with friends and family & being a baseball mom! I will be your child’s 2nd grade teacher for the 2018-2019 school year! This will be my 20th year teaching & my eighth year at Pine Ridge Elementary & I am excited to make this my best year yet!
I was born in St. Louis, Missouri and my family moved to Aurora, CO when I was 6 years old, so I feel as if I’m a Colorado native! I have 1 sister and 1 brother. I attended St. Therese for elementary, Mrachek & East for middle school and I graduated from Gateway High School.
In December of 1998, I graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Behavioral Science and a minor in Reading from Metropolitan State University of Denver. In May 2003, I graduated from University of Phoenix with a Master’s Degree in The Diverse Learner.
Hi! My Name is Holly Reifman! I live in Aurora with my husband Andy, who is a fire fighter for SACFD, our 15 year old son, Hunter who attends Cherokee Trail High School and my two dogs Lola and Stella. I enjoy photography, traveling, time with friends and family & being a baseball mom! I will be your child’s 2nd grade teacher for the 2018-2019 school year! This will be my 20th year teaching & my eighth year at Pine Ridge Elementary & I am excited to make this my best year yet!
I was born in St. Louis, Missouri and my family moved to Aurora, CO when I was 6 years old, so I feel as if I’m a Colorado native! I have 1 sister and 1 brother. I attended St. Therese for elementary, Mrachek & East for middle school and I graduated from Gateway High School.
In December of 1998, I graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Behavioral Science and a minor in Reading from Metropolitan State University of Denver. In May 2003, I graduated from University of Phoenix with a Master’s Degree in The Diverse Learner.