The Estes Park School District is starting the 2025–26 school year with a strong team of educators, both new faces and returning staff, who bring a wealth of experience, passion, and dedication to their classrooms. From music and the arts to literature, science, and special education, this year’s additions promise to inspire and support students across all grade levels.
The new school year begins with a staggered start: sixth- and ninth-grade students will start classes on Tuesday, Aug. 12, with all other secondary students (grades 6–12) beginning Wednesday, Aug. 13. Elementary students in grades K–5 will return Thursday, Aug. 14, and preschool will begin Monday, Aug. 18.
Enrollment projections for the 2025–26 school year are currently estimated at 930 students, though district officials emphasize that the official census numbers will be known only after the October Count, an annual process used to report enrollment across all Colorado school districts and determine funding. Those figures, however, will not be released to the public until around the third Wednesday of January. The delay is to ensure the count is accurate and that students are not counted by more than one district.
Kelly Pemrick – Third Grade Teacher, Estes Park Elementary
Mrs. Kelly Pemrick is returning to Estes Park Elementary School as a third-grade teacher. A National Louis University graduate, she first came to Estes Park in 2012, working at YMCA of the Rockies before spending several years in Salt Lake City and Chicago. Since moving back in 2017, she has worked at Bennett Preschool, the Estes Valley Public Library, and EPES. She enjoys reading, attending plays and concerts, and spending time with her husband, friends, and cat.
Brad Wens – English Teacher, Estes Park High School
Mr. Brad Wens, a proud Estes Park local, joins the district as a new English teacher. A Colorado State University graduate with a degree in English Education, he was inspired by former Estes educators Dan Copeland and Marsha Weaver, and was mentored by current staff, including Andrew Virdin. He’s eager to help students discover their voices through literature and is grateful for the opportunity to give back to his hometown.
Hunter Hamilton – Special Education Teacher, Integrated Learning Classroom
Mr. Hunter Hamilton joins as a special education teacher in the Integrated Learning Classroom. With 17 years of teaching experience, primarily in elementary settings, he specializes in special education, literacy intervention, and math intervention. Living in the area since 2011, he enjoys mountain biking, ultrarunning, skiing, and backpacking with his wife and their dog.
Libby Brubaker – Special Education Teacher, Middle School
After five years as a stay-at-home mom, Mrs. Libby Brubaker returns to teaching as a middle school special education teacher. She and her husband, Nick, have two energetic sons, Abel and William, and she’s eager to reconnect with her passion for teaching alongside a great staff.
Brianna Gress – Secondary Choir Instructor
Ms. Brianna Gress joins the district with a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Colorado Boulder, graduating with high honors. Her experience includes work with the Colorado Children’s Chorale, Westview Church, and Boulder Symphony Music Academy. She is passionate about fostering creativity, inclusion, and confidence through choral music.
Alex Jizba – Secondary Science Teacher
Mr. Alex Jizba comes to Estes Park after 11 years in outdoor education and 9 years teaching middle school in Commerce City. He looks forward to blending his outdoor expertise with classroom science instruction. A soccer enthusiast, he enjoys playing, coaching, and watching the sport—and recently adopted a cat.
Nicholas Pierce – Band Instructor
Mr. Nicholas Pierce brings over a decade of music education experience, from elementary to university levels. Most recently from Platte Canyon School District, he revitalized the 6–12 music program and directed jazz, rock, and musical theatre ensembles. He holds a Master’s in Wind Conducting from the University of Denver and a bachelor’s in music education from CU Boulder.
Steven Schauf – Career and Technical Education Teacher
Mr. Steven Schauf has 35 years of teaching experience in agriculture, technology, and engineering at both the collegiate and secondary levels. Raised on a dairy farm in Wisconsin, he also has a background in carpentry, electrical work, and equipment sales, and continues to operate a small contracting business.
Angela Barberi – Visual Arts & Publications Teacher, Estes Park High School
Ms. Angela Barberi joins EPHS with 27 years of experience in visual arts and publications. She holds a master’s degree in educational leadership, was among the first art educators to receive National Board Certification in Adolescent Art, and has served as a Kennedy Center Partner in Education. She recently moved from Pensacola, Florida, and is eager to guide students in creative, impactful projects.
Peter Blomberg – Fifth Grade Teacher, Estes Park Elementary
Mr. Peter Blomberg returns to EPES as a fifth-grade teacher after teaching third grade last spring. With nearly two decades of teaching experience, most in Wyoming, he enjoys the outdoors, music, reading, and traveling.
These educators join the district’s team committed to creating engaging and supportive learning environments for every student.
The new school year begins with a staggered start: sixth- and ninth-grade students will start classes on Tuesday, Aug. 12, with all other secondary students (grades 6–12) beginning Wednesday, Aug.13. Elementary students in grades K–5 will return Thursday, Aug. 14, and preschool will begin Monday, Aug.18.
All staff returned on Thursday, August 7, for a districtwide welcome breakfast hosted by the Board of Education. The first School Board meeting of the year will be held on Monday, Aug. 25 at 5:15 p.m. in the Town Hall Board Room.
Looking ahead, the three seats the Estes Park School District school board currently held by Stacy Ferree, Ava Kendall, and John Davis will be up for election in November. All three members have served since 2021, and no public announcements have yet been made on whether they will seek reelection. The election is set for Tuesday, Nov. 4, with a candidate filing deadline of Aug. 29 for those wishing to appear on the ballot.