Colleen Welch

 This is my 29th year of teaching, 28 of those years have been in 1st grade.  

I have been teaching at Ryan Elementary for 25 years.  

I absolutely LOVE 1st grade!

I grew up in Arvada and went to Jefferson County schools from Kindergarten through 12th grade.  I earned a Bachelor's Degree in Human Development with a concentration in Child Development.  I also have a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction.  

My family includes my husband and 2 daughters.  My oldest is a senior at CU Boulder  tudying biochemistry and my youngest is  a sophomore at CU Boulder studying special education. 

My favorite things include mexican food, reading,  paddleboarding, watching movies, and just hanging out with my  family.

I am looking forward to an amazing year together!

Christina Paul

I am so happy to be part of the Ryan family! This is my 8th year teaching and 4th year at Ryan.  My first year teaching, I taught literacy intervention for students K-6. This will be my 7th year teaching 1st grade.

I am originally from the Bay Area, California. I received my bachelor's degree and elementary teaching credential from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo (the most beautiful, coastal town!) and have my Masters of Education in Literacy. My husband, Matt, and I moved from California to Colorado four years ago, and we are so happy to be in this gorgeous state.

When I'm not in the classroom, I enjoy cooking and trying new restaurants, going to workout classes, reading, walking my lab, Luna, and buying plants and flowers that I don't need! My husband and I also love escaping to the mountains for skiing and snowboarding. 

Ryan's community is like no other, and I am so happy to be part of it with you!

Mrs. Quillin


I’m so excited to be part of the 1st grade team! I have been teaching for 17 years and 15 of them have been at Ryan.

I have lived in Colorado for most of my  life and got my bachelors degree at CSU.  I  continued my education and received  my masters in curriculum and instruction. 

I have been married for 15 years to my husband Adam and we have two boys, Caden (12) and Bray (10) and our sweet dog Peach!

When I'm not teaching I love to be outside paddle boarding, hiking and exploring Colorado. I love to travel and cook as well.


I’m looking forward to a fantastic year in 1st grade!



Kim Kauffman

Hello First Grade Families! I am excited to be your child's teacher this year!  

This is my 24th year of teaching.  I have taught various grades from Kindergarten to 5th grade.   I am happy to be at Ryan Elementary and joining the dual community including Sheridan Green families.  I live in this community and my children went to SGE, Mandalay Middle School and Standley Lake High School.    

Between my first school and teaching at SGE, I stayed home for 9 years with my own children.  Courtney is now 25 and married.   She's an engineer and lives in Castle Rock.   Tyler is now 23 and works at Centennial Airport for a helicopter modification company. Time has flown. So believe me when I say… Treasure each day with your child(ren)!!!!!

My husband, Tim, and I have loved raising our kids doing many of our favorite activities.   We enjoy skiing/boarding, golfing and CU football and basketball events together. We love to travel, hike and eat good seafood as well. I also enjoy scrapbooking and attending musicals. I am passionate about teaching, and my family would consider teaching to be another hobby for me.

I look forward to partnering with you this year, as we bring your child a year of excellent education!