Saying Goodbye To Six Eagle Rock Faculty Members

A half dozen of our faculty members are moving on, as they say — departing our campus for new ventures, but doubtless with a look behind at what they accomplished and experienced during their times here at Eagle Rock.

It goes without saying we’re going to miss them, and it’s also probably unnecessary to say we wish them well, because they’ve been receiving hugs, handshakes and tears since they announced their plans. It’s fairly obvious we want the best for them in their new pursuits.

Among those departing are Karen Ikegami, Holly Takashima, Berta Guillen, Ike Leslie, Jonna Book and Denise Lord. For each of these faculty, we’re devoting space below focused on what transpired for them professionally while here at Eagle Rock, and where they’re off to — or where they’ve already arrived.

Karen Ikegami came to Eagle Rock in 2008 as the math instructional specialist and also became the Juniper houseparent that same year. Karen is staying in Colorado and is working at Thomas Jefferson High School in Denver. She will be the Wallace Fellow Principal Resident and will be working on getting leadership training and her principal license through Get Smart Schools.

Holly Takashima started here stint here in 2011 as the English fellow, and then was hired as the English instructional specialist, becoming the Lodgepole houseparent in January of last year. Holly has moved to Nashville to be with partner Brandon, and has been hired on at John Overton Comprehensive High School, teaching American literature to high school juniors.

Berta Guillen became the Societies and Cultures fellow when she joined the Eagle Rock School staff back in 2008, and was soon thereafter hired on as the S&C instructional specialist. She became the Juniper houseparent in 2012. Berta has moved back to the San Francisco area to be closer to family, and has been hired as a teacher adviser at MetWest High School in Oakland.

Ike Leslie began his Eagle Rock career in 2010 as the Music fellow, and was soon hired as the instructional specialist for music. He became the Lodgepole houseparent in Jan. 2013, and played a significant role in our relationship with the Berklee Music City program. Ike has picked up and moved back to the East Coast, devoting the entire summer to make it back to New Hampshire where he will build a moveable “tiny house” for his accommodations. Ike will be attending the University of New Hampshire, seeking a Masters in Sociology with a focus in Community and Environmental Sociology starting this fall.

Jonna Book came to Eagle Rock in 2010 as the world language instructional specialist and became the Ponderosa houseparent in 2011. She will be taking the coming year off in order to travel, explore and spend time with family and friends.

Denise Lord arrived in Estes Park in 2006 to serve as the world language fellow, and then was hired as the Life After Eagle Rock instructional specialist. She was the Ponderosa houseparent from 2008 until 2010. Denise leaves this summer and is still deciding where the next path in her life will take her.