Deans
Melissa, Feeler - 6th Grade Dean
About Me: I am a Colorado Native (although I spent some time in Minnesota growing up). My husband and I have two amazing kids, my son Jaxon (6th grade) and my daughter Madelyn (4th grade). I love to watch sports and cheer on all the Colorado teams, spend time with my family, read a good book, travel and be outdoors. I have been in Education for 20 years and look forward to being the Dean of Students for 6th grade this year. I have a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. I look forward to supporting the students and families of Mrachek!
6th Grade Dean
Mrachek Middle School
303-750-2836 ext. 25463
Raymond, Downing - 7th Grade Dean
About Me: I started in APS in 2005 teaching high school at Gateway High School for fourteen years, before I became a dean at South Middle School at the start of the 2019 school year. In my first year at Mrachek Middle School (2022-23), I was the eighth grade dean of students and in my second year I am the seventh grade dean of students. I started my career in APS teaching Business & Computer Education/Technology, and I completed my classroom time teaching Freshman Geography, and Upperclassmen Social Studies courses. I have two degrees in business, with a Masters Degree in Secondary Education.
Prior to coming to Colorado, I was a thirteen year United States Air Force Veteran and I served in support of Operation Desert Storm. Originally I am from North Carolina, and I have lived in Colorado since 1987, when I rotated from Germany. I guess I was destined to finish my working career in education. My mother was an educator for 30 years, and she taught myself, and my older brother and sister when we all passed through the fourth grade. So this is my way of saying thank you to her, and all of my teachers that I taught me from kindergarten, through my high school years by giving back to them, and becoming an educator also.
7th Grade Dean
Mrachek Middle School
(303) 750-2836 ext. 25465
Bicknase, Ana - 8th Grade Dean
About Me:
8th Grade Dean
Mrachek Middle School
(303) 750-2836 ext. 25478
Katie, Nellis - TOSA, Dean of Students - School Assessment Coordinator
About Me: I have been a part of the Mrachek community for 7 years, and I am proud to be a TITAN!! I was an 8th grade science teacher from 2016 - 2020 and I've been serving as a Dean here since then. I support Mrachek staff and students in several roles to include as the School Assessment Coordinator, attendance intervention, and student achievement and instruction.
I have also taught 9-12 grades at Vista Peak Preparatory and middle school in the Montbello community in Denver in math, science, and business over the past 12 years. Prior to teaching, I spent over 10 years in the banking industry. I was born and raised in Northern California, and I have lived in Colorado for over 25 years. I am a proud resident of Aurora where I live with my husband and our two sons: Nathan (8th grade) and Theo (2nd grade).
My educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Colorado at Boulder, a Master's degree in Business Administration, and teaching licensure and graduate work in Education from Purdue University and the University of Colorado at Denver. I completed my Master of Science in Teaching and Learning - Education Leadership Principal Licensure Concentration degree at Colorado State University - Global Campus in June 2022 and hold my Principal's License.
Each day, you entrust us with your child’s academic growth and safety. I take this trust very seriously. I hold myself accountable to be consistent in my communication and actions with our students and families. The parents and guardians of our students are our partners in supporting our students as they develop both academically and socially. That said, please feel free to reach out to me for any concerns or questions that you may have. My contact information is below.
TOSA, Dean of Students - School Assessment Coordinator
Mrachek Middle School
(303) 750-2836 ext. 25418