Michelle Mullin
Head of School
She, Her, Hers
michelle@septemberschool.org
Michelle earned her Masters in Education with a concentration in Spanish from DePaul University in Chicago and her BA in Spanish from John Carroll University. Throughout her studies, she traveled, worked, and volunteered throughout Mexico, Central America, and Spain. Michelle has more than 15 years of progressive experience in both private and public educational settings spanning middle school to university, including the last three years building September School’s Spanish and Mind, Body Wellness courses. Michelle has demonstrated a deep connection to students and staff that reflects the community spirit of our school. Her personal mission as an educator is to develop traits in students that will carry them beyond their coursework and aid their personal development. She is determined to pass on her passion for the September School to others and advocate for the mission of the school.
Sarah DeSouza
Dean of Academic Advising and Records
She, Her, Hers
SarahD@septemberschool.org
Hunter Amabilé
Music and Social Studies Teacher
He, Him, His
hunter@septemberschool.org
Hunter earned his formal education in Journalism and English at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, however, some of his most valuable lessons in life have come through years of playing music.
Hunter’s important belief: #1 (in no particular order)
“Music is like life, you must practice being a great listener before anything else.”
Hunter is a guitarist and songwriter who has been playing in bars, clubs, and theaters for more than 20 years. Since moving to Boulder in 2014, Hunter has worked as the director of a rock climbing and paddle boarding camp, as well as Paraeducator for BVSD. Hunter is excited to bring a unique lens and open heart to each and every student at September School.
Hunter’s important belief: #2 (also, no particular order)
“Education isn’t about what you learn, it’s about learning how you learn.”
Outside of school, he writes and records music under the moniker Hunter Stone, which he produces in his home studio in Boulder.
Eitan Fire
Social Studies Teacher
He, Him, His
eitan@septemberschool.org
Eitan earned his undergraduate degree in liberal arts at St. John’s College, the nation’s third-oldest school. He lived in Israel, where he had the opportunity to solidify his understanding of Hebrew. Eitan pursued his interest in teaching by working first at The Santa Fe Children’s Museum and then at a Boys and Girls Club in Portland, Oregon. He gained critical tools to become the best teacher possible by earning his Masters in Teaching at Lewis & Clark College. Since then, Eitan has returned to his hometown of Boulder and spent five years teaching in the public school system including three years in the Boulder Valley School District.
“I strive to ensure that all of my students feel supported and valued by me regardless of where they are in terms of understanding, their values, and/or beliefs. I work with all of my students to help them grow into confident adults and positive role models.” —Eitan Fire
Vajra Granelli
Physical Education Teacher
He, Him, His
vajra@septemberschool.org
Vajra Granelli is a highly experienced martial artist, combat sports coach, and high-threat protection specialist with a rich history in the field. With over 40 years of studying martial arts globally, he has accumulated a vast knowledge of various martial arts disciplines.
For 25 years, Vajra has been working as a professional combat sports coach, honing his skills in teaching and training fighters. During his time in the Bay Area, he ran boxing and kickboxing programs specifically tailored for teenagers, imparting his expertise to the next generation of martial artists.
Not only has Vajra been involved in combat sports coaching, but he has also been actively engaged in community service. He volunteered at a kids' summer camp in Colorado for many summers, fostering a positive impact on young individuals.
Moving to Colorado with his family, Vajra opened a small dojo in Boulder, where he continued to teach and share his passion for martial arts. He was also one of the co-founders of the 4 Rings collective, an organization focused on promoting martial arts, wilderness skills, art, and related activities in the community.
Tania Henderson
Art Teacher
She, Her, Hers
tania@septemberschool.org
Tania Henderson received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration from Rhode Island School of Design and has worked developing herself as a contemporary painter through commissions and exhibitions within the United States. She has also painted alongside musicians, poets and storytellers in the Denver/Boulder area creating abstract oil paintings inspired by the sound and emotion of their work.
Her love of education developed while her children were in elementary school and after several years of supporting BVSD and SVVSD as a visiting artist and volunteer. During this time she became certified to work with people with brain challenges including: brain injuries, Autism and Dementia while teaching art within the Montessori model.
After 13 years of teaching art to ages 3-103, she is delighted to join September School where she finds a natural curricular fit, being able to teach within a relationship based model that unites its community and truly supports the individual.
She adores being outside in the mountains hiking, backpacking, trail running, painting and snowshoeing always with her sweet four legged love, Lola and some lucky times with her 2 amazing daughters Maya and Leila and her community of friends.
Aimee Herman-Durica
English and Music Teacher
They, Them
aimee@septemberschool.org
Aimee studied at Naropa University, where they earned a BFA in Writing and Poetics. They followed that with an MFA in Creative Writing from Long Island University in Brooklyn with a creative focus on queerness, gender and the body. Aimee has taught writing and literature for over ten years in higher ed, building curriculum and being blown away by the beautiful young minds in every classroom they taught. Their favorite part of teaching is watching students find the writer inside them.
Aimee is the author of two books of poetry: meant to wake up feeling (great weather for MEDIA) and to go without blinking (BlazeVOX books). Their first novel, Everything Grows, was published in 2019 by Three Rooms Press, and received a Golden Crown Literary Society Award for best young adult debut novel. Aimee is also a performance artist and ukulele player and enjoys creating spaces for others to feel wild and free on stage. Aimee is committed to community service and currently hosts a monthly open mic called Queer Art Organics and co-facilitates a bi-weekly writing workshop called Queer Creatives at Out Boulder County.
In their spare time, Aimee can be found walking their dog, going on hikes, writing poems, embroidering, and writing letters to their many pen pals.
Nina Kassin
Spanish Teacher
She, Her, Hers
Nina@septemberschool.org
Nina Kassin comes to us from Friends School and has also taught at Bixby and Arapahoe Ridge. She earned her BA at the University of Boulder with a minor in Spanish, her teaching certificate at University of Denver, and has studied extensively throughout Central America and Mexico. She teaches Spanish 1 - 4 and brings her own unique curriculum she has developed over the course of the past 15 years. She is most excited to continue teaching TPRS (teaching proficiency through reading and storytelling) to our students.
Kelly Elle Kenworthy
Counselor
She, Her, Hers
KellyK@septemberschool.org
Kelly Elle earned her BS in Psychology from the University of Houston and her MS in Counseling and Guidance from California Lutheran University. When not teaching yoga or counseling youth, Kelly Elle enjoys Boulder’s thriving live music scene, hiking in the foothills, and cooking delicious meals. She could not be more thrilled to work with the September School community. “I'm excited to work beside such an incredible group of educators and students, to lead and serve with an open heart. My door is always open.”
Melita has been a part of the September School community since 2017, as a faculty member and more recently as a substitute teacher. She has 20 years of teaching experience, including Boulder Valley Schools (Manhattan and Arapahoe Ridge), September School and the Temple Grandin School. Melita has a strong background in multiple areas of study, and is excited to be teaching Biology and Anatomy.
Julia comes to us from Fusion Academy and gained a wealth of experience as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at University of Colorado, Boulder. Julia focused her studies on lab-based sciences and she is eager to bring her expertise to our students in Biology and Chemistry.
Angela Beloian
Newsletter Designer and Special Projects (Art Teacher 2007-2020)
She, Her, Hers
angela@septemberschool.org
Angela Beloian received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art from the University of California, Santa Barbara and has exhibited her work throughout the United States. Her paintings are included in public and private collections and her work has been displayed on the exterior of the Performing Arts Complex in Denver, Colo. She served on the Visual Arts Committee for the Dairy Center for the Arts in Boulder and the Teacher Advisory Committee for the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art. Her involvement in September School includes teaching Studio Art and Yearbook as well as leading students on trips to Santa Fe, Chicago, and Patzcuaro, Mexico. Angela also started our Visiting Artist Program.
“During my 13 years teaching art, it brought me an immense amount of joy and inspiration coaching students in their studio practice.” —Angela Beloian
