Our Team

Amanda Brewer

Amanda joined the Adult Education Initiatives team in September 2016. Prior to that she worked for the Indiana Department of Workforce Development’s Adult Education team for 5 years and taught High School Social Studies for 3 years. She currently works directly with numerous grantees to provide support. Amanda is also the primary contact for the LACES data system providing LACES support to all grantees, as well as completing the federal data reporting in the National Reporting System.

Glendy Belle Calderon

Glendy comes from a colorful social services background. Her experiences range from work with early learners with developmental delays, families experiencing homelessness, healthcare, counseling, and career navigation in Adult Education. Glendy joined the AEI team in March of 2022, eager to expand accessibility and equitable opportunities for historically marginalized communities.

Glendy graduated with a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2019. This background informs her understanding of systems, their impact on populations served, and her commitment to social justice. Glendy escribe, lee y habla Español y le da la apreciada bienvenida a cualquier oportunidad para practicar.

Dr. Ally Garcia

Ellen Hogan

Ellen joined CDE’s Adult Education Initiatives team in June 2024, currently serving as the Instructional Support and Professional Learning Coordinator. Ellen approaches her work as a disability and accessibility advocate focused on organizational leadership and change. Ellen possesses extensive knowledge in inclusive teaching practices, instructional design, digital accessibility, and key regulations like the Americans Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504. Passionate about dismantling barriers for adult learners in Colorado, Ellen centers her instructional support and professional development around research and evidence-based inclusive teaching practices for adult learners. She is eager to collaborate with key partners of our WIOA State Plan to drive meaningful change for adult learners through training and professional development.

Lacey Miller

Lacey joined CDE’s Adult Education Initiatives team in September 2021. She is an Adult Education Program Coordinator, supporting adult education programs that receive federal grant funds. She also provides guidance to programs implementing distance learning.

Lacey has more than ten years of experience teaching English to adults in various educational settings both in and outside of the United States, including 5 years in China. She enjoys learning new things and is interested in digital literacy, instructional design, and workforce development. Outside of work, Lacey enjoys traveling and learning about different cultures, hiking, reading, and cooking. She plays a mean game of Scrabble.

Julie Nichols

Adult Education Consultant
[email protected]
720.955.8936

Julie Nichols has been an educator for 36 years, beginning in Elementary Education and most recently spent 21 years as director of an adult education program affiliated with CDE's Office of Adult Education Initiatives (AEI) grant programs.  Julie has a BA in Elementary Education, MEd in Curriculum and Instruction with emphasis in Ethics, Equity and Justice, and a Post-MEd in Special Education. Having had the opportunity to teach all ages from pre-school to adults, Julie enjoys watching as students of all ages react to the realization that they have learned something new.  Julie joined the AEI team in December 2018 as a part-time Adult Education Consultant. She is excited to work with the AEI team and adult education programs across the state to facilitate opportunities for adult learners as they traverse the pathway to post-secondary education and/or careers.

Maddy Oaks

AEI Program Coordinator, Multilingual Learners
[email protected]
720.955.0742

Madelyn (Maddy) Oaks joined CDE in April 2024 and works as an Adult Education Program Coordinator. Maddy earned her Master of Science degree in occupational therapy from The University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2016, and initially dedicated six years to working in the healthcare field. While she loved working as an occupational therapist and found meaning in helping patients return to their daily lives after injuries, her passion for large impact projects lead her to seek out opportunities at the state level. Maddy previously served as a project coordinator at the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE), where she focused on a statewide effort to elevate stackable credentials pathways in the healthcare field. She feels fortunate to have the opportunity to channel her passion for accessibility and education toward empowering Coloradans to navigate educational pathways that lead to meaningful employment. Outside of work, you'll likely find her leading a HIIT class at the local gym, exploring hiking trails, bargain shopping, traveling, or enjoying quality time with her husband, Joe.

Lilly Redford

Lilly joined CDE’s Adult Education Initiatives team in March 2024. She is the Program and Office Manager, providing administrative and operational support to the AEI team.

Previously, Lilly worked with multiple nonprofit organizations serving people experiencing homelessness in her hometown of Denver. She specializes in administrative and community engagement work and has a deep commitment to building equity within those spaces. When she’s not at work, she enjoys reading and spending time with her family.

Paul Stahlke

AEI Program Coordinator, Workforce Partnerships
[email protected]
720.955.3836

Paul joined the Adult Education Initiatives team as an Adult Education Program Coordinator in April 2024. In addition to supporting applicants and grantees in the efforts to provide adult education in Colorado, Paul's work will focus primarily on establishing, strengthening, and maintaining workforce partnerships with AEI programming. 

Originally from Aurora, CO, Paul's journey with Adult Education began with ESL conversation partners in Beijing, China and has since expanded through experience as an English Teacher and Teacher Trainer in Siem Reap, Cambodia through the Peace Corps, as well as through teaching a 'University 101' course for undergrad students on academic probation at Indiana University. Before AEI, Paul most recently worked as an Internship Coordinator and Career Transition Counselor at Larimer County Economic and Workforce Development. In his free time, Paul likes to read, watch movies, play tennis, and hang out with his wife, their dog, their two cats, and their six chickens.

Dr. Michael Verderaime

AEI Program Coordinator, Access and Retention
[email protected]
720.648.1615

Michael (Mike) Verderaime joined CDE in June 2024 and works in the Adult Education Initiatives Office focusing on access and retention. Mike earned his Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from The University of Missouri in 2020. Mike served in public education for over 15 years before transitioning into administration within the Colorado Community College System. Mike’s work with rural Colorado’s educational initiatives specifically tied to work-based learning, student pathways, and stackable credentials has ignited his passion for programmatic work at the state level.

Mike feels honored and fortunate for the opportunity to support our Colorado educational communities through access and retention. Outside of work, you can find Mike paddling, pedaling, skiing, fishing and just enjoying Colorado with his wife Kacey and their 3 boys: Salvatore, Enzo, and Giovanni.