A tuition-free online high school that revolves around how you live
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Meet Our Staff
Click on a category below to meet the great people who work hard every day to make Provost Academy a positive experience for each and every student.
Administration
Executive Director Audie Rubin leads Provost Academy Colorado not only with his years of experience in education as both an administrator and teacher; but also with his background of leadership and vision as a pioneer in the use of online education technology to open the classroom to the world and accelerate learning for Colorado students.
As a leading advocate and pioneer of online education in Colorado, Rubin brings a valuable knowledge and experience with innovation to his position. As Director of Student Online Learning for the Jeffco Public Schools, he developed full time online programs and partnered with district high schools to implement hybrid learning opportunities. During his tenure, Rubin increased the number of students learning online throughout the district from 150 to over 3,000 and the number of online teachers from 20 to over 200 in 18 months. As a principal with Colorado Virtual Academy, Rubin designed and successfully launched the academy's online high school.
In addition to his work in schools, Rubin is advancing online opportunities for Colorado students as a member of the Colorado Department of Education Committee for Online Learning. Outside of the field of education, Rubin has partnered with Sun Microsystems and Microsoft to develop educational initiatives in the United States as well as in Japan and Australia. He received his Masters in Educational Leadership from Colorado University-Denver, and his undergraduate degree from San Jose State University.
Student Services
Mrs. Camacho was born in Raton, New Mexico just over the Colorado line. This has been confusing for her, as her parents resided in Trinidad, Colorado at the time of her birth. She wants to claim she is a Colorado native, but the birth certificate proves otherwise.
High School was OK for Mrs. Camacho. She never changed schools, same classmates all through 12 grades. She would have liked a more flexible learning environment that can be found in online learning, but nothing existed like that back then. Mrs. Camacho's daughter did some online flexible learning, and it was very useful with her heavy gymnastics training schedule.
Mrs. Camacho worked in a traditional middle school for nine years so she is new to online learning. During those nine years, she saw many students who would benefit from an online school for many reasons. She looks forward to the challenges of learning new things, the possibilities are endless; she loves success stories and sees a whole bunch happening here at Provost Academy Colorado.
"Try to be a step ahead not a step behind", advises Mrs. Camacho. "Keep a nice routine going to accommodate the variety of things you want to fit into your daily schedule. Don't put off today what you think you can do tomorrow, something always comes up. "
Academic Advisors
Lisa Fiess was born and raised in Indiana, and attended Indiana University for a degree in Elementary Education. Upon graduation, Lisa moved to the bright lights and big city of Las Vegas, Nevada. In Nevada, she discovered a new passion, working with inner-city children, and decided to get a Master's Degree in Educational Counseling so that she could have a career that allowed her to mentor students during difficult times. Lisa loves spending time with her husband and children, traveling frequently and enjoying new experiences. On a family vacation to Colorado, Lisa and her husband Jeff found a new love—camping and hiking! Lisa's family recently moved to Denver and she is extremely excited to start a new phase in her career working in the online environment. Lisa is looking forward most to field trips and social outings with Provost Academy students so that she can see all that this beautiful state has to offer. She feels that online school provides such a unique experience that allows students to complete their academics while exploring their other interests in life.
Melanie Lewis is a licensed school counselor and has a passion to see students reach their full potential in their education and beyond. She has 16 years of counseling experience at the elementary, middle, and adult and now high school level. She loves Colorado and has lived here for 13 years. She enjoys traveling and exploring as well as spending time with her family. She has an undergraduate degree from West Virginia University and a Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling and also School Counseling from Idaho State University. She feels that online high school offers an educational experience that is unlike any other. Our students have the freedom to work at their own pace and to have flexible hours. This is such a fantastic opportunity for many students to thrive.
Emily earned both her B.A. in Education/Spanish and her M.Ed from the University of Northern Colorado. She is a licensed school counselor and has been a school counselor as well as a teacher in various school districts across the Front Range, Idaho and online. She is extremely excited about the individualized attention which occurs in an online environment and is eager to offer this attention to Provost Academy students! The quote “Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire” has always guided Emily in her work with students.
Emily was born and raised in Colorado and has moved out of state several times but always ends up back home! She currently lives in the mountains with her husband, two daughters (2 and 5 months) and chocolate lab. She enjoys hiking, camping and fishing. She has completed a marathon and is training for another, and hopes to join a roller derby league in the fall! (Look out!)
Instructors
Elizabeth Anderson has a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Colorado State University. Ms. Anderson is a licensed Colorado teacher who specializes in Science, Math and Special Education courses as well as individualized/differentiated instruction. As a Colorado native Elizabeth greatly enjoys the outdoors and sports, in particular playing tennis and soccer. Having the opportunity to travel at a young age fostered Elizabeth’s passion for seeing new places and experiencing new cultures.
Dawn Beck is a Metropolitan State College of Denver Alumni. She has a Behavioral Science Degree with a Secondary Education Minor. She earned her teaching license with credentials to teach both Science and Social Studies. Dawn is currently earning her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction in Science. Dawn has had the pleasure of working with a diverse group of students since she began teaching. She started with an internship with Jefferson County Outdoor Lab Schools where she mentored high school leaders and taught 6th graders. While Dawn went to college, she worked with post-secondary students at the Aveda Institute Denver, a premiere cosmetology and esthiology school.
Dawn has taught at a Denver Public charter school, a Jefferson County public school, and she was both teacher and advisor for Colorado Distance and Electronic Learning Academy, an online school. Dawn lives in an old Denver neighborhood in a house built in 1886. She is married with a one year old son. Dawn loves writing and has had a few articles published in local newspapers and magazines. Dawn is passionate about learning and loves music. Dawn is excited to be back teaching online, where she says she has met some of her most talented and goal-oriented students.
Beth Gisi is a Colorado native who grew up in Arvada. She has 6 years of experience teaching mathematics and science in middle & high school as well as working as an academic advisor. Her work experience includes a charter school in Brighton, a public school in Denver and a Colorado online school. This is her second year as a virtual teacher and she loves that she gets to know her students better and has more time to work one on one than if she were at a brick and mortar school. She is married with one son who just started kindergarten this year. Her family has lived in various parts of the metro area but returned to downtown Denver last year. They now live in the museum district where they get to enjoy the fabulous view of downtown every evening and the ability to walk to the art museum, library, LoDo, or the 16th St. Mall.
Community Outreach
Lisa Garcia is the Community Development Manager at Provost Academy Colorado. She began her career teaching elementary school, working in Missouri, Indiana, South Carolina, and Minnesota before moving to Colorado. Lisa has also spent 10-plus years working for Sylvan Learning Systems and Educate Online, helping kids of all levels improve their skills in math and reading. This creative thinker understands the needs of students learning in both the bricks-and-mortar model and the online experience. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Missouri and completed post-graduate work in South Carolina.
Lisa is married to 9News Education Reporter Nelson Garcia. They live in Lakewood with their two crazy daughters, ages 9 and 6 and a very loveable Doberman named Ella Bella. She loves to downhill ski, camp, hike, run and read, and coaches soccer for the City of Lakewood. Lisa is charged up to work with students, connect with the community, and get everyone excited about the wonderful opportunities that Provost Academy brings!