Stories from the Journey
The strength of our school community is built on the continued commitment of faculty, students, and families to support each other as they learn and grow. Here are stories of the people, places, and experiences that make up the Aspen Country Day School journey.
Nicole Gogolak
August 18, 2025
Nicole Nagel-Gogolak returns to ACDS, where she previously taught art for all grade levels in the 1990s. Originally from Flushing, Michigan, she holds an MFA in fiber from Cranbrook Academy
Nellie Conboy
August 27, 2024
Nellie first moved to the Roaring Fork Valley ss a summer educator at the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, then joined Aspen Country Day School in 2024. Originally from Chicago,
Mark Sumera
August 5, 2021
A Middle School faculty member since 1999, Mark has taught more than two decades of Aspen Country Day School students the beauty of the quadratic equation. He also enchants Lower
Debi Bender
August 2, 2021
Debi is originally from Wilmington, Delaware, where she taught art in public schools for a decade and was named Teacher of the Year in 2009. She is the former arts
Annie Garrett
March 24, 2021
Annie was born and raised in Aspen and chose to return home after graduate school because of her love for the community and mountains. She studied as an undergraduate at
Wes Lanich
January 15, 2021
Wes moved to the Roaring Fork Valley in 2019 and worked with the Aspen Music Festival & School supporting their audio and streaming projects. Prior to that he taught music
Kimberly Bakker
January 13, 2021
Ms. Kim started at Aspen Country Day School in 2003. She grew up in Holland, Michigan, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music, Art and Literature from Hope College.