Staff Bios

Experience and Dedication.
The staff at Denver Teacher Residency brings a diverse range of backgrounds and professional experience to the table. They oversee all aspects of the program, ensuring that every child in Denver Public Schools has what it takes to succeed – an effective teacher.

Shannon Hagerman, Program Director - Shannon joined the Denver Teacher Residency in August 2012. She is dedicated to continuing the development of the program and demonstrating how urban teacher residencies are uniquely able to prepare highly effective teachers. Prior to joining DTR, Shannon was the Executive Director of Innovation Schools with Denver Public Schools and Principal of the Montclair School of Academics and Enrichment. It was during her time as principal that she became familiar with the Denver Teacher Residency; Montclair was one of the program’s first host schools. Shannon holds a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Colorado, Boulder and a PhD in Educational Administration and Policy Studies from the University of Denver. She lives in the Denver area with her husband and two young daughters.

Julie Rottier, Manager of Program & Curriculum – Julie is starting her 18th year in education. Her work with Denver Teacher Residency includes collaborating with faculty from University of Denver’s Morgridge College of Education to develop and align curriculum with the needs of Denver Public Schools teachers; teaching for the DTR program; collaborating with multiple partners to select DTR host school site partners, mentor teachers and adjunct professors; and working with program staff to create professional development for mentor teachers. Julie has been a teacher, instructional specialist, and assistant principal in DPS for the last 9 years. Before joining DPS, she taught elementary special education students in Fort Lupton and Jefferson County schools in Colorado, and at the American School of Lima in Peru. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degree in special education from the Pennsylvania State University and acquired her administrative licensure through the University of Denver.

Jouanna Crossland-Wells, Field Manager – Jouanna has experience in various levels of education, including math and social studies teacher, assistant principal in both middle and high schools, adjunct professor in the College of Education for pre-service teachers/teacher candidates, and as an educational consultant for Mid-Continent Research and Education for Learning (McREL). As a classroom teacher and teacher leader, Jouanna worked with other teachers to implement instructional strategies to include cooperative learning and differentiated instruction with an emphasis on technology. As an Assistant Principal, Jouanna facilitated weekly data team meetings with academy teams and served as the administrative liaison to AVID, Advanced Placement teachers, CU Succeed Professors, CCA Professors and UCD Teacher Candidates. She has planned and facilitated a variety of professional development activities for teachers, both district and schoolwide. Jouanna earned her Bachelor’s in Education and a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio.

Sarah Flanders, Field Manager – Sarah has been involved in the Denver Public Schools for more than 20 years. A parent of three children and former DPS student, she began to teach for DPS in 1992, focusing on special education at Montclair Elementary School, Smiley Middle School and McMeen Elementary School. Most recently, Sarah was the Denver Teacher Residency site coordinator at McMeen. She earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education at Michigan State University, a master’s degree in special education at University of Northern Colorado and her administrative license from University of Denver.

Andrea Ring, Teacher Education Coordinator - Andrea began her work with the Denver Teacher Residency in the fall of 2009. Her primary responsibilities are to support the program at both the University and District level in order to promote the teaching, learning and research of the faculty, staff and students of the program. Andrea earned a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University in 2004 and was awarded her teaching license through an Alternative Licensure program in 2006. She taught Kindergarten for two years in Austin, TX before returning to Colorado to enroll in a graduate program at the University of Denver. Andrea recently earned her masters’ degrees in Curriculum & Instruction and Mass Communication from the University of Denver.

Madda Evenson, Executive Secretary – Madda joins Denver Teacher Residency as the executive secretary. She has worked for Denver Public Schools since 2004. She held previous positions in DPS at Doull Elementary and most recently at CEC Middle College of Denver for over five years. Her primary responsibilities are to support the DTR staff, residents, and alumni with administrative and budgeting tasks, ensure accuracy and timeliness of reporting and scheduling, and to work with potential program candidates to support the recruiting and application processes. Madda graduated as an Executive Bilingual Secretary at the Secretarial Academy Madres Canadienses in her native Lima, Peru and has worked for organizations such as United Nations, Bechtel, and Shell.