Embedded Files
For Homeschool Families
WHO WE ARE
WHO WE ARE
Larry Thigpen, Principal
Larry Thigpen, Principal
I am very excited to be the leader of the Options program! I have had a passion for education ever since middle and high school when I had great mentors who I looked up to. I wanted to spend my life creating positive relationships with students and inspire them to reach their future goals. I have been in education since 1996 and with Aurora Public Schools starting in 1999. I have been happily married to my wife Julie since 1998. We have two wonderful children, Sabrina and Jeremiah. I spend much of my free time being with my family and enjoying the outdoors (hiking, running, biking, golfing, scuba diving). My real passion is for my two favorite teams (Denver Broncos and Florida State Seminoles).
I am very excited to be the leader of the Options program! I have had a passion for education ever since middle and high school when I had great mentors who I looked up to. I wanted to spend my life creating positive relationships with students and inspire them to reach their future goals. I have been in education since 1996 and with Aurora Public Schools starting in 1999. I have been happily married to my wife Julie since 1998. We have two wonderful children, Sabrina and Jeremiah. I spend much of my free time being with my family and enjoying the outdoors (hiking, running, biking, golfing, scuba diving). My real passion is for my two favorite teams (Denver Broncos and Florida State Seminoles).
Jennifer Lohner, Ed.D., Assistant Principal
Jennifer Lohner, Ed.D., Assistant Principal
Jennifer is thrilled to be working with the Options Program. Jennifer's experience includes working as an Instructional Dean and Professional Learning Coordinator with Denver Public Schools, as an Assistant Principal, principal intern, and teacher (Options Program) with Cherry Creek Schools, and as an affiliate faculty member at Colorado Christian University School of Education. Jennifer is a volunteer researcher with The University of Colorado Denver and supports schools across Colorado with applied research projects.
Jennifer is thrilled to be working with the Options Program. Jennifer's experience includes working as an Instructional Dean and Professional Learning Coordinator with Denver Public Schools, as an Assistant Principal, principal intern, and teacher (Options Program) with Cherry Creek Schools, and as an affiliate faculty member at Colorado Christian University School of Education. Jennifer is a volunteer researcher with The University of Colorado Denver and supports schools across Colorado with applied research projects.
Jennifer believes the Options Program is the most unique, welcoming, and fun learning opportunity that exists in education today and is thrilled to support teachers, parents, and students at all of the Options sites. Jennifer is a graduate of The University of Michigan (B.A.), Colorado State University (M.Ed), and The University of Colorado (Ed.D.). She has three children.
Jennifer believes the Options Program is the most unique, welcoming, and fun learning opportunity that exists in education today and is thrilled to support teachers, parents, and students at all of the Options sites. Jennifer is a graduate of The University of Michigan (B.A.), Colorado State University (M.Ed), and The University of Colorado (Ed.D.). She has three children.
Lisa McKenna, Office Manager
Lisa McKenna, Office Manager
Education has been in my blood for over 40 years! I have been a homeschooling mom, public/private school teacher, Options coordinator, Book room coordinator, and office clerk. I have been with Options since 2003 and became the Options school Office Manager in 2017. I love being in the front office helping homeschoolers!
Education has been in my blood for over 40 years! I have been a homeschooling mom, public/private school teacher, Options coordinator, Book room coordinator, and office clerk. I have been with Options since 2003 and became the Options school Office Manager in 2017. I love being in the front office helping homeschoolers!
I have been married to my husband Larry for over 40 years and we have two adult sons in their 30s. Our sons thrived in the Aurora Options site. I homeschooled them until their Junior years of High School when they attended Pickens Tech College or CCA.
I have been married to my husband Larry for over 40 years and we have two adult sons in their 30s. Our sons thrived in the Aurora Options site. I homeschooled them until their Junior years of High School when they attended Pickens Tech College or CCA.
I spend my free time hiking with my husband/friends and our golden retriever, watching movies, traveling, and teaching Bible studies.
I spend my free time hiking with my husband/friends and our golden retriever, watching movies, traveling, and teaching Bible studies.
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 is now excited to connect with Options families through the Bookroom on their own home school adventures.
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.
Michelle Cole, Counselor
Michelle is excited to join the Options Program as a school counselor. Michelle has been in education since 1998, began in Options in 2017, with a brief 3 year break before returning for the 2025/2026 school year. The relationships she builds with students and families is the best part of being a counselor. Over the years, Michelle has gained specialized training in neurodiversity, trauma informed care, learning challenges, behavior support, and post graduate planning.
When she isn’t working with students, Michelle spends time with her husband, three teenage children, and two dogs. Most weekends are spent supporting her children’s activities in the mountains, hiking, or reading a good book.
Sharon Gore, Brighton Coordinator
Sharon Gore, Brighton Coordinator
I am Sharon Gore, and I live in Broomfield, CO. I have been married 30 year adn have one son and a daughter-in-law. I homeschooled my son for 8 years and he attended Options. I was a substitute for OPtions at that time. I have a a Masters in Education and was a school counselor for many years before being the Brighton Options coordinator. I love to travel. My two "happy places" are the beach and the mountains. My family goes to Mexico every year. In the summer we go to the mountains weekly to hike and to fish. I love to watch football, especially the CU Buffs and the Broncos. I love the options program and has a heart for homeschool families!
I am Sharon Gore, and I live in Broomfield, CO. I have been married 30 year adn have one son and a daughter-in-law. I homeschooled my son for 8 years and he attended Options. I was a substitute for OPtions at that time. I have a a Masters in Education and was a school counselor for many years before being the Brighton Options coordinator. I love to travel. My two "happy places" are the beach and the mountains. My family goes to Mexico every year. In the summer we go to the mountains weekly to hike and to fish. I love to watch football, especially the CU Buffs and the Broncos. I love the options program and has a 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 is very excited to step into her new role as Coordinator for 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 homeschools three, beautiful daughters who attend 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 homeschools three, beautiful daughters who attend 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 spending teaching in the gym and working with the awesome students at Options but was very excited to move to the office. 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 is excited for another great year at Options and to make it 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 spending teaching in the gym and working with the awesome students at Options but was very excited to move to the office. 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 is excited for another great year at Options and to make it the Best Day of the Week.
Leda McDonald, Aurora Coordinator/Registrar
Leda McDonald, Aurora Coordinator/Registrar
Leda started volunteering with Options when her twins began attending 1st grade in 2017. This quickly turned into an assistant position that allowed her to experience the opportunities that the program offers to students, families and employees. In 2023 she became the coordinator for our Iliff/New Life sites in Aurora and is looking forward to using her experience as a business owner and nurse to continue developing the program and encouraging homeschooling families for many years to come! When not at Options, Leda can be found supporting her children with their activities or tending to the animals on her farm.
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 4 sites. While moving every few years with her military husband, she homeschooled her daughter K-8, 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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