APS Options
For Homeschool Families
WHO WE ARE
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). My real passion is for my two favorite teams (Denver Broncos and Florida State Seminoles).
Dr. Jennifer Wiggs, Ed.D., Assistant Principal
Jennifer is thrilled to be working with the Options Program again this year. 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.
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!
I have been married to my husband Larry for 39 years and we have two adult sons, 29 and 32. Our sons thrived in the Options New Life program. I homeschooled them until their Junior year of High School when they attended Pickens Tech College or CCA.
I love to spend my free time hiking with my husband and our golden retriever, traveling, and teaching Bible studies. We also love the movies and go as often as we can or watch them at home.
Tracy Knapp, Registrar
Hi! I'm Tracy Knapp and I'm here to get your kids enrolled with our program. I've worked for Options for over six years, starting at the Denver site as a clerk and then moving to the office. I have homeschooled both of my daughters and have loved being able to spend that time with them and the freedom it affords. They each were a part of the Options program and they loved it. I have been married to my husband since 1994 and we are homebodies who love watching hockey and football. Send registration questions to me!
Options Counselor
My name is Fran Covelli and I am excited to join the Options Program this year as your School Counselor! I recently retired from my position as a High School Counselor after a 40 year career in education. In addition to high school counseling, my background includes K-12 counseling and college level admission/academic advising. I am lucky to have worked in small school settings which allowed me to provide more personalized support for students and families in the areas of academics, college/career planning and social emotional counseling. I look forward to providing individualized assistance to homeschool students to help them achieve their goals!
My husband and I have 3 grown children who graduated from a small K-12 school. They have gone on to careers in education, nursing and agriculture. We have five grandchildren in elementary school are also a big part of our lives. We enjoy family activities, traveling, camping and outdoor fun. Wishing you your best school year ever!
Brenda Chedid, Curriculum Coordinator
I am former homeschooler and an avid book lover! I homeschooled my son until high school and know the struggles that homeschooling can present. I helped out in the bookroom for five years and took the helm as Bookroom Coordinator in May 2022. We have many great resources for families in the bookroom. Come by on a fair day (Spring and Summer) or during the year to see what we haveto offer. Also check the bookroom website at https://optionsbookroom.aurorak12.org/.
I am passionate about books and helping homeschoolers! If you ever have book questions about the bookroom, please email me at apsoptionsbooks@aurorak12.org
Sharon Gore, Brighton Coordinator
- Sharon Gore, Lives in Broomfield, CO
- Has been married 28 years.
- Has one 22 year old son, who is a pilot and sometimes even subs at Options.
- She homeschooled her son for 8 years and he attended Options and Sharon subbed at Options back then.
- Sharon has a Masters in Education and was a school counselor for many years before being the Brighton Options coordinator.
- She loves to travel. Her two "happy places" are the beach and the mountains. Her family goes to Mexico every year. In the summer she goes to the mountains weekly to hike and to fish.
- Sharon loves to watch football, especially the CU Buffs and the Broncos. She loves to go to CU football games.
- She loves the options program and has a heart for homeschool families!
Lanae Klap, Denver Coordinator
I am Lanae Klap. I am honored to be the coordinator of the Denver Options Community. I grew up in Evergreen on an Arabian Horse ranch. My father was a Public School Superintendent and my sisters are all teachers. I have been married 25 years, and have 2 great kids.
Our Family joined Aurora Options in 2002 when we decided to homeschool our son. My own children grew up in Denver Options. They are 23 and 20 now and successful adults. I am so thankful for the role homeschooling played in their childhood. We have experienced every form of education in those years. It likely taught me the most. I taught at New Life Options their first year, which was 2003-04. Then I was a parent at Denver Options for the beginning of 2004-05. I was rehired to take over for a teacher who left, and taught homeschoolers there until Dec of 2007 when I took over as Denver Coordinator.
I love watching children learn and grow and thrive together. I love helping kids and their parents experience learning in a fun interactive ways and build self confidence in the process. I am inspired by our Denver Options Teachers, and love watching parents build family memories with their great kids. Options has given me so many wonderful things, as a parent, as a teacher, and as a Coordinator. I am thankful for this amazing program and for the hundreds of kids who have passed through the Denver Options doors for fun, interactive, hands on adventures in learning.
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.
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.
Leda McDonald, New Life and Iliff Coordinator
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. Now this will be her 9th year on lunch duty, working as an Educational Aide. She also works for the larger APS Options program as the school nurse, with her office based at the Denver site. She homeschooled her daughter K-8, survived the transition to a large public high school, and now college. She has a B.S.N from Auburn University in Nursing and a M.S.N. in Nursing with a specialization as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner from Northwestern State University in Shreveport, LA. After 20yrs of military moves, she’s settled in Aurora and still isn’t sure what to be when she grows up. She enjoys getting outside with her dog, audiobooks, and traveling