Coaches
What do
we mean by
elevated coaching?
We recruit extremely qualified, highly trained and motivated educators with decades of experience who will build a relationship with your child, diagnose needs and teach strategies that ensure exceptional results for your child.
Andrew Katen, M.S.
Owner - Coach: 5-College
Andrew helps students understand how they learn, why some things come easily while others feel hard, and how to work with their unique learning styles. A nontraditional learner himself, Andrew knows that some brains learn best through hands-on experiences, visual-spatial thinking, creativity, and building—not just worksheets or standardized tests. He specializes in supporting capable learners who may struggle to show what they know in traditional academic settings. (It takes one to know one!) Through ADHD/executive function coaching, academic support, and enrichment, Andrew helps students build confidence and independence. He also partners with parents to understand their children’s strengths and challenges so they can better support them throughout their school journey. Drawing on a diverse background in teaching, research, writing, science, and strategy, Andrew brings curiosity and a fresh perspective to every student’s learning journey.
Katrina Katen, Psy.D.
Owner - Learning Psychologist
Dr. Katen helps parents finally understand how their child’s mind works, transforming daily school struggles into a clear, confident path forward. Through specialized learning assessments, she uncovers profound, rare insights that traditional evaluations miss, giving you a truly unique blueprint of how your child processes the world. Parents who work with Dr. Katen gain total clarity on how to unlock the potential of gifted, twice-exceptional (2e), ADHD, dyslexic, and struggling learners. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the school system, parents finish their time with Dr. Katen feeling empowered, relieved, and fully equipped to secure the IEPs, 504 plans, and educational placements their child needs to thrive. Through targeted counseling, coaching, and her distinctive evaluation process, she bridges the gap between a child's current frustration and their future academic success.
Josh Guddat enjoys supporting people of all ages as they work to meet their goals. He currently does this in many ways. Talking with and helping his four children with their homework is one of his joys! Working with teachers as an Instructional Coach at Orchard Mesa Middle School is another way he fulfills his passion. Over his 20+ years of teaching, Josh has taught everything from high school Advanced Placement courses to intervention courses for low-skilled learners and everything in between. He has coached alternative learners finding their way at R-5 High School, mainstream learners trying to get into top colleges at Grand Junction High School, and students whose 2nd or 3rd language was English at an international school in Dongguan, China. Josh has coached students with ADHD, executive skills deficits, and other barriers to success in hundreds of coaching sessions. Josh is at his best when he is helping other people.
Josh Guddat, M.B.A
Coach: Middle School-College
Dionne Guddat, B.A.
Coach: K-5
Dionne is currently a 2nd-grade teacher at Pomona Elementary in District 51. She has spent the last 20 years in education in a variety of facets: eleven years as a 2nd and 4th-grade classroom teacher in D51, stay-at-home mom, coach, tutor, and parent of four successful D51 graduate/students, creative arts and music instructor, and two years teaching internationally to culturally diverse 4th grade students in Dongguan, China. Dionne has been trained through District 51 in Early Literacy Mediation (ELM) and Advantage Math Recovery (AVMR). She finds one of her greatest strengths and joys as a teacher to be the ability to build positive partnerships with parents and families to meet the educational goals of students at all levels. She is grateful for the opportunity to partner with learners and families through Essentials in Learning!
Edith Bigum - M. Ed.
Coach: K-3
Edith Bigum is certified to teach Elementary Education and Special Education, and she has a Master’s Degree in Reading. She is a Reading Recovery specialist and a certified Literacy Interventionist. Edith was honored with Outstanding Educator of the Month 2007. She retired in May 2020 after 30 years teaching kindergarten and first grade at Broadway Elementary in School District #51. She is excited about the opportunity to work one-on-one with students and meet their individual needs as learners. Edith believes it is critical for children who are struggling with literacy skills to have highly qualified teachers to support them in their early years.
Maggie Sigle, M.A.
Coach: Early Literacy
Maggie is an educator and school counselor who absolutely loves working with kids and helping them grow into confident, kind, and capable individuals. She has been an educator for 14 years and spent the past 3 years as a school counselor, supporting children as they navigate friendships, emotions, confidence, problem-solving, and all of the ups and downs that come with growing up. She believes kids learn best when they feel safe, connected, and understood—and that social-emotional skills are just as important as academic skills. Maggie is passionate about creating fun, engaging experiences where kids can build skills, practice new strategies, and feel comfortable being themselves. Her goal is for every child to leave the groups feeling a little more confident, connected, and ready to tackle whatever comes their way. Outside of school, she is a mom and has a family of her own, so she understands how important it is to support the whole child—and the families who love them!
Julie Hickman - M. Ed.
Coach: K-5
Julie Hickman has been working full time in education since 1984. She earned her B.A. in Elementary Education at Adams State College, and then earned her Masters in Multicultural Education through a University of New Mexico Graduate Internship. She currently is a K-5 Math Interventionist at Appleton Elementary and is proud to call herself an Appleton Bookworm. Over the past 30 years, Julie has taught first, second, third and fourth grades in both Colorado and New Mexico. She has also been a reading interventionist and has taught summer literacy programs k-5, art, gifted and talented, and science during the summers. Julie loves seeing learners gain skills and build confidence as readers, writers, and mathematicians. Julie enjoys having the opportunity to work one-on-one with students, as well as building relationships with students and families. She loves being part of the Essentials in Learning team!
Shannon Morlan, M. Ed.
Coach: Elementary-Middle
Shannon has been an elementary teacher for 20+ years as well as a teacher coach in Mesa County Valley District 51. Over the course of her time with District 51 Shannon taught all elementary grades except for kindergarten, worked as an instructional technology specialist serving students K-12and providing professional development for teachers, and served on a number of district curriculum teams responsible for selecting, aligning, and writing district curriculum. Shannon is also a National Board Certified Teacher. In her last few years at Broadway she has worked with a number of students who were staffed in the Significant Needs Behavior program. One of Shannon's strengths comes in having taught almost all elementary grades. She is adept at taking a kiddo and helping them move forward no matter where s/he is starting from.
Danielle Magyar
Coach: Middle School Math
Danielle Magyar is a mathematics teacher at Orchard Mesa Middle School with several years of experience in tutoring and educational programming. She designs lesson plans and enrichment activities, uses games to make learning engaging, and organizes spaces to create optimal learning environments. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics Secondary Education from Colorado Mesa University.
Kelly McGuire, M. Ed.
Coach: Middle-College
Maureen Kelly has a MA in Education and ten years experience, eight in the classroom. She has worked in middle, high school, and alternative settings for ages 10 to 21 as well been an instructional coach and content specialist. She has presented at state and national conferences including WIDA, and has served on state committees including the CLDE guidebook committee. Kelly is a Western Colorado native and a strong advocate of education for everyone. She has personal experience living with executive function issues and employing coping skills.
Martha Lynch, B.A.
Coach: 2-6
In education since 2001, I've had the privilege of seeing a lot of light bulbs go on! I started out as an ESL teacher's aid but it wasn't long until I decided I wanted a classroom of my own. I received my B.A from Colorado Christian University and have put it to use since then. I've worked with grades 1-12, but home is 5th grade for now. I've been teaching 5th grade at Appleton Elementary since 2008. Getting kids ready for that big transition to middle school is a challenge I look forward to year after year. When I'm not teaching, I'm teaching! I also teach childbirth classes at St. Mary's hospital. My free time is usually spent hiking with family and friends all around beautiful Colorado.
Tina Sleigh, M.B.A.
Coach: M.S.-College
I have worked in District 51 for 21 years. I taught gifted and talented elementary students for 9 years, and I am on my 12th year working with middle school gifted and talented students. I taught 4th grade for one year before becoming a GT teacher, and I have taught 6th and 7th grade honor's math courses. My strengths are advocating for students and communication. My youngest son is twice exceptional, so I have experience navigating both the Gifted and Learning Disabled worlds as a parent.
Maya Arrieta, B.S.
Performance Coach: Elementary - High School
Myah enjoys working with students from elementary through high school, specializing in life mentoring and athlete mental performance. A Colorado Mesa University graduate and former standout softball player, she now coaches the CMU softball team, Fruita High School softball team, and an under-14 girls’ softball team. During her collegiate career, Myah earned First Team All-American honors and was named the 2024 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Player of the Year. She set an NCAA record across all divisions by hitting a home run in 10 consecutive games and established CMU and conference single-season records with 28 home runs and 84 runs scored in 2024. At EIL, Myah draws on her experience balancing academics, high-level competition, and overcoming setbacks to help students build confidence, focus, and resilience. Her coaching supports young people as they navigate challenges and pursue meaningful goals in school, sports, and everyday life.
Al Kreinberg, M. Ed
Coach: M.S.-College
Al is a lifelong learner and educator, recently retired from a successful career as a teacher in D51. Al holds a master’s degree in middle school education from UNC and a National Board Certification as a master teacher. He has taught middle school students in both rural and urban settings and supported high school students at R-5 High School with alternative educational pathways for 25 years. Al is passionate about helping middle / high school students reach their personal goals and potential now through coaching with Essentials in Learning. He is an avid traveler, a yoga instructor, and enjoys spending time outdoors on the river.