Administration

Executive Director

Though born and raised in Colorado, Adam Sexton has lived in Australia, Japan, England and Italy. He is passionate about education, cross- cultural communication and foreign language acquisition. Adam has bachelor’s degrees in English and geography from the University of Colorado at Boulder. After college, he worked as a cartographer and also taught in Japan’s public school system. From Asia, Adam moved to London, where he received a master’s degree in international development from the University of London’s King’s College and School of Oriental and African Studies. When he returned to Colorado, Adam worked in program operations at Outward Bound and in fundraising for the University of Denver. Contact him at adam.sexton@dmischool.com.

Academic Director

François Penalver ensures consistent delivery of curriculum and service. He has a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and a master’s degree in Education, both from the University of Lyon. Before serving DMIS, François was the principal of 1,000 students atttending the elementary school in the French Lycee of Bilbao, Spain. During his tenure, he worked with the government of Asturias, Spain to implement bilingual-education programs (Spanish-French) and teacher training for classes in pre-school through 5th grade. In Spain, François also served as the director of Early Childhood Education and Grades 1 and 2 for a school serving 1,900 students in the French Lycee of Valencia. And even before his work in Spain, François served for 20 years in France as a director of elementary schools and a teacher trainer. Contact him at francois.penalver@dmischool.com.

Director of Institutional Advancement

For the past two decades, Diane M. Mourning has worked in the non-profit sector in Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona, primarily in human service organizations and higher education. She spent several years as the executive director of the YWCA of Albuquerque where she piloted a public awareness campaign, “Week without Violence,” that soon became a model for the YWCA of the USA and its affiliates.

Diane’s fundraising career began at Mile High United Way and continued at United Way of Greater Tucson and United Way of Central New Mexico.  Upon returning to Denver in 1999, Diane continued her work in non-profit agency management and fundraising at Five Points Media Center, Mercy Housing Southwest and the Community College of Denver.

Diane holds two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Colorado at Boulder in Journalism and Sociology and a master’s degree in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix.  Diane enjoys traveling, the performing arts and writing.  Growing up in an Air Force family, her passion for travel and the arts was nurtured by living abroad in Italy, Turkey and Libya.  She is a parent to one teenage daughter. Contact her at diane.mourning@dmischool.com.

Director of Early Childhood Education

Carrie Joe has worked in early childhood education for more than 13 years. Before arriving at DMIS, Carrie served as the Educational Trainer and Director of Early Childhood Education at a local childcare center. She trained teachers and supported their professional development in the classroom. She also offered parents instruction in child development. Carrie enjoys live music, movies and spending time with her family. She and her husband have two children. Contact her at carrie.joe@dmischool.com.

Admissions and Extended Day Program Coordinator

Mieke Bushhouse has a bachelor’s degree in organizational psychology from the University of Michigan. She has worked as a teacher’s assistant at the University of Michigan’s Poundhouse Children’s Center. After graduating from college, Mieke traveled throughout western Europe, which sparked her passion for multicultural education and global awareness. Please direct questions about admissions and enrollment to Mieke at (303) 340-DMIS (3647) or mieke.bushhouse@dmischool.com.

Marketing and Communications Manager

Kate Ashley Paquette, a native of Springfield, Mo., has a bachelor’s degree in English from Vanderbilt University and a master’s degree in International and Intercultural Communication from the University of Denver. She has traveled the world. Kate has lived in Edinburgh, Scotland, and Ciudad Colon, Costa Rica. She has traveled extensively throughout Central and South America, the United Kingdom, Western Europe, Japan and Thailand. Kate strongly advocates full-immersion, bilingual education; global awareness and intercultural competency — the core values of a DMIS education. Contact her at kate.paquette@dmischool.com.

Director of Administration and Finance

Lori Pacheco can be reached at lori.pacheco@dmischool.com. More information coming soon.

Finance Manager

Laura Shulda can be reached at laura.shulda@dmischool.com. More information coming soon.

Information Technology Facilitator

Bruce McCormick can be reached at bruce.mccormick@dmischool.com. More information coming soon.

IB Middle Years Program and English Program Coordinator

Hope Forgey holds bachelor’s degrees in psychology and elementary education and is a certified elementary teacher in both Colorado and Massachusetts. She has lived in Taiwan and speaks Mandarin Chinese. In her free time, Hope enjoys spending time with her husband and salsa dancing. Along with teaching Grades 4 and 5 in the English-only program, Hope coordinates the English curriculum. As DMIS makes plans to open a middle school in the fall of 2011, Hope will coordinate the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) authorization process so that our school can offer the Middle Years Program to all students in grades 6 – 8. Contact her at hope.forgey@dmischool.com.

Administrative Assistant

Anne Kercsmar holds a bachelor’s degree in Russian from Duke University and a master’s degree in Slavic Languages and Literature from the University of Kansas. Anne has lived in St. Petersburg and traveled throughout Russia. She greatly values the different perspectives gained through cross-cultural learning and strongly believes in the importance of global awareness. In her free time, she enjoys playing with her dogs and cooking. Contact her at info@dmischool.com.

Facilities Manager

Bob Hall is our very own “Bob the Builder.” He ensures everything about Denver Montclair International School’s grounds and facilities is in working order. He coordinates contractors, addresses myriad repairs himself – and even helps students by serving as a street-crossing guard. He is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and a proud father and grandfather. Bob lives in Littleton, Colo.

Custodial Manager and Campus Support

Tsehay Abede is a native of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She oversees various aspects of DMIS’ facilities maintenance, dining services and custodial services. Tsehay also serves as administrative support staff for DMIS’ faculty. She greets DMIS students with a smile every morning. Tsehay lives in Aurora, Colo.

Bus Driver and Maintenance Support

Marlyn Goranson is DMIS students’ beloved bus driver. He shepherds them to and from school each day and to field-trip destinations. Marlyn also assists with facilities maintenance. He lives in Denver.