Embedded Files
For Homeschool Families
WHO WE ARE
WHO WE ARE
Larry Thigpen, Principal
Larry Thigpen, Principal
Larry is very excited to be the leader of the Options program! He has had a passion for education ever since middle and high school when he had great mentors. He has spent his life creating positive relationships with students and inspire them to reach their future goals. He has been in education since 1996 and with Aurora Public Schools starting in 1999. He has been happily married to his wife Julie since 1998. They have two wonderful children, Sabrina and Jeremiah. He spends much of his free time being with family and enjoying the outdoors (hiking, running, biking, golfing, and scuba diving). His real passion is for my two favorite teams (Denver Broncos and Florida State Seminoles).
Larry is very excited to be the leader of the Options program! He has had a passion for education ever since middle and high school when he had great mentors. He has spent his life creating positive relationships with students and inspire them to reach their future goals. He has been in education since 1996 and with Aurora Public Schools starting in 1999. He has been happily married to his wife Julie since 1998. They have two wonderful children, Sabrina and Jeremiah. He spends much of his free time being with family and enjoying the outdoors (hiking, running, biking, golfing, and scuba diving). His real passion is for my two favorite teams (Denver Broncos and Florida State Seminoles).
Lisa McKenna, Office Manager
Lisa McKenna, Office Manager
Lisa has been involved in education for over 40 years! She has been a homeschooling mom, public/private school teacher, Options coordinator, Book room coordinator, and office clerk. She has been with Options since 2003 and became the Options school Office Manager in 2017. She loves being in the front office helping all homeschoolers!
Lisa has been involved in education for over 40 years! She has been a homeschooling mom, public/private school teacher, Options coordinator, Book room coordinator, and office clerk. She has been with Options since 2003 and became the Options school Office Manager in 2017. She loves being in the front office helping all homeschoolers!
She has been married to her husband Larry for over 40 years and they have two adult sons in their 30s. Their sons thrived at the Aurora Options site. She homeschooled them until their Junior years of High School when they attended Pickens Tech College and CCA.
She has been married to her husband Larry for over 40 years and they have two adult sons in their 30s. Their sons thrived at the Aurora Options site. She homeschooled them until their Junior years of High School when they attended Pickens Tech College and CCA.
She spends her free time hiking with her husband/friends and golden retriever, watching movies, traveling, and teaching Bible studies.
She spends her free time hiking with her husband/friends and golden retriever, watching movies, traveling, and teaching Bible studies.
Leda McDonald, Aurora Coordinator and Options Registrar
Leda McDonald, Aurora Coordinator and Options Registrar
Leda started volunteering with Options when her twins began attending 1st grade in 2017. Then it turned into an assistant position at the Aurora Options that allowed her to experience the opportunities that the program offers to students, families and employees. In 2023 she became the coordinator for our Aurora site and uses her experience as a business owner and nurse to continue developing the program and encouraging homeschooling families. In the fall in 2025 she took on the responsiblity as our Registraras well. When not at Options, Leda can be found supporting her children with their activities or tending to the animals on her farm.
Melanie Schilling, Bookroom Coordinator
Melanie Schilling, Bookroom Coordinator
Melanie is the definition of no career is forever and you never know where life will lead you. After getting her degree in English from CU Denver, she worked in Marketing and Special Events Planning for seven years. Making her first career change, she got her Radiologic Technologist degree and worked for UCHealth Hospital for the next three years. Then she began her favorite job, being a stay-at-home mom. She homeschooled her three kids, Elliott, Hope and Hannah, for nine years, including through high school. With them going off to college, it was time for a new opportunity in her life. She works with Denver Options and in the Bookroom as our cooridnator. When Melanie is not in the office, she can be found at home reading, woodworking and doing a variety of crafts, enjoying her family, or making wonderful memories traveling.
Sharon Gore, Brighton Coordinator
Sharon Gore, Brighton Coordinator
Sharon Gore lives in Broomfield, CO and has been married 30 years. She has one son and a daughter-in-law. She homeschooled her son for 8 years and he attended Options. She was a substitute for Options at that time.She has a Masters in Education and was a school counselor for many years before becoming the Brighton Options coordinator. She loves to travel and her two "happy places" are the beach and the mountains. Her family goes to Mexico every year. In the summer they go to the mountains weekly to hike and to fish. She loves to watch football, especially the CU Buffs and the Broncos. She has a big heart for homeschool families!
Sharon Gore lives in Broomfield, CO and has been married 30 years. She has one son and a daughter-in-law. She homeschooled her son for 8 years and he attended Options. She was a substitute for Options at that time.She has a Masters in Education and was a school counselor for many years before becoming the Brighton Options coordinator. She loves to travel and her two "happy places" are the beach and the mountains. Her family goes to Mexico every year. In the summer they go to the mountains weekly to hike and to fish. She loves to watch football, especially the CU Buffs and the Broncos. She has a big heart for homeschool families!
Jessica Diaz, Denver Coordinator
Jessica Diaz, Denver Coordinator
Jessica Diaz has worked at Denver Options since 2021 when she was hired as the kindergarten teacher. She took on her role as Coordinator in the 25-26 school year. Jessica grew up in Colorado and received her Masters in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education from CU Denver. She taught for Aurora Public Schools before staying home to homeschool her own sons, who now attend Denver Options as well. When she is not at work, Jessica loves being in nature with her family, reading and working on stained glass.
jdiaz@aurorak12.org
Jenny Phillips, Greeley Co-Coordinator
Jenny Phillips, Greeley Co-Coordinator
Jenny Phillips has worked at Greeley Options since 2016, when she started as an Administrative Aide. She is now loving Co-Coordinating with Jillian. She loves keeping the program running smoothly and supporting homeschool families. Jenny grew up in Southern California where she met and married her high school sweetheart. Jenny graduated with her BA in Liberal Studies, along with required Education classes for a California teaching credential. She homeschooled her three, beautiful daughters who attended Greeley Options as well. Jenny loves animals, weather, watching movies, and playing board games with her husband and family.
Jenny Phillips has worked at Greeley Options since 2016, when she started as an Administrative Aide. She is now loving Co-Coordinating with Jillian. She loves keeping the program running smoothly and supporting homeschool families. Jenny grew up in Southern California where she met and married her high school sweetheart. Jenny graduated with her BA in Liberal Studies, along with required Education classes for a California teaching credential. She homeschooled her three, beautiful daughters who attended Greeley Options as well. Jenny loves animals, weather, watching movies, and playing board games with her husband and family.
Jillian Misuraca, Greeley Co-Coordinator
Jillian Misuraca, Greeley Co-Coordinator
Jillian Misuraca has been teaching at OPTIONS since 2012. In 2019 she began the start of being Co-Coordinator. Jillian loves teaching the awesome students at Options but was very excited to move to the coordinator position. When not at school, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Marc and 2 kiddos, Oakley and Cohen. They can usually be found playing outside. Jillian loves sports; watching football and basketball are her favorites. Jillian loves making Options school days the "best day of the week."
Jillian Misuraca has been teaching at OPTIONS since 2012. In 2019 she began the start of being Co-Coordinator. Jillian loves teaching the awesome students at Options but was very excited to move to the coordinator position. When not at school, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Marc and 2 kiddos, Oakley and Cohen. They can usually be found playing outside. Jillian loves sports; watching football and basketball are her favorites. Jillian loves making Options school days the "best day of the week."
Kari Laudenslager, School Nurse
Kari started at Denver Options as a parent in 2011 and did everything to avoid lunch duty. After 5 yrs of lunch duty twice a week as an Educational Aide, she is now the school nurse for all of APS Options splitting her time among all locations. While moving every few years with her military husband, she homeschooled her daughter for Kdg through 8th grade, and survived the transition to a large public high school and college. She has a B.S.N from Auburn University and a M.S.N. with a specialization as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner from Northwestern State University in Shreveport, LA. She also works part time at the VA Medical Center in Aurora in primary care. She enjoys getting outside in her yard, audiobooks, and traveling.
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