Middle School Grades 6-8

Math and Science
Ms. Trista
Ms TristaI’m so excited to be part of The Juniper School community! My fiancé and I have lived in Mancos for the past year and a half, and we’ve loved every moment of the small-town feel and easy access to outdoor adventures. I earned my Bachelor’s in Education from Massey University in New Zealand, where I lived for five years and still have family, and I recently completed my Master’s in Education from Fort Lewis College.
 
When I’m not teaching, you can find me riding horses, hitting the slopes on my skis, or exploring the beautiful landscapes of this area. I’m passionate about creating a welcoming classroom environment that encourages curiosity, growth, and a deep love of learning. I can’t wait to connect with students and families here at The Juniper School—please stop by and say hello!
 
 
Language Arts and Social Studies
Dr. Rush
 
I've been in education for 20 years, and this is my first year as a full-time classroom teacher! My background is in Critical Thinking and whole-school improvement, Educational Research, Teacher Training, and I spent the last 8 years as a Product Manager and Instructional Designer leading Data Science and Software Engineering bootcamps in EdTech. I moved to Durango this year because I love hiking and backpacking, and wanted to be closer to a wilderness that is still relatively wild. My B.A. is in History from Sonoma State University, I have an M.Sc. in Higher Education from Oxford University, an M.Phil in Educational Research and a Ph.D. in Education both from the University of Cambridge. I'm excited to learn with my students in the upcoming year and to hopefully inspire in them a lifelong joy of learning. Stop by and say hello, and if there's anything I can do to help your child learn and grow - I'd love to know!