Welcome to Kindergarten! For thirteen years, I have been employed at Littleton Public Schools, seven years of which I have taught kindergarten. This is my fourth year teaching kindergarten at Centennial Academy of Fine Arts Education. The energy and discovery within the kindergarten classroom has directed my passion for teaching young children. Therefore, both my degrees’ concentration are in the kindergarten grade level. I received a B.S. in Child Development and a B.Ed. in Elementary Education from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.

Even though I spent my childhood and young adult years in Iowa, many of my adult years I have lived in Littleton. My three children attended Littleton Schools and all three are alumni of Arapahoe High School. My daughter, Natalie is a graduate of CSU. She is currently earning a master’s degree in business at UCD and was recently married. My son, Seth attends Metro College and my youngest son, Graham attends CSU.

Two years ago,I was trained in the Math Recovery program. I also serve as a state board member for Colorado Organization of Kindergarten Teachers Association (COKA). Currently, I am earning a M.Ed. from Regis University. During my free time, I enjoy reading, music, and spending time with my three young adult children.

I believe that the young child makes sense of his world through the eyes of "play". I teach within the framework that inspires children to also "play" with words, sounds, and numbers. Feel free to contact me at my voice mail - 303-734-3051 or my e-mail mailto: marends@lps.k12.co.us.