Our Family

Everyone wants Jacqueline on their team! She is funny, smart, analytical and creative all bundled into one! She orders the products, manages the finances and builds the website. When she is not overlooking all the details at Beyond the Blackboard, she is traveling, skiing, or hosting parties and celebrating birthdays with friends and family. She and her husband Brian are avid yoga enthusiasts and their recent vacation was hiking the Inca Trail in Peru - all 26 miles of it!

Jacqueline’s daughter, Carah, grew up at Beyond the Blackboard! In addition to the family business, she shares a love of travel with her new husband. She graduated with a degree in Europian languages, flirted with the idea of moving to Europe and eventually settled back in Denver as the Director of Retail Stores for Beyond the Blackboard. She knows our toys inside and out and always has a great idea on the tip of her tongue! When she is not working, you can find her on the dancefloor pursuing her love of ballroom dancing!

Jean’s ideas and inspiration are always moving us forward. Her happy place is working with students and helping families tackle challenges at school. If there is a way to make memorizing math facts fun, Jean will find it! She and her husband , Walt, sell our Play to Learn Kits across the country and have created cutting edge literature tubs to support the Science and Social Studies content for grades K-8. Jean works with schools both locally and nationally to build Parent Engagement in the academic journeys of all children. In 2022, Jean will be publishing a book with FranklinCovey to provide new ideas for school leaders to create stronger partnerships with parents.

Our Lead Storyteller is Katie.

Kaitlyn grew up in Colorado and has always loved arts and crafts. She loves learning and being in school. Kaitlyn's favorite subject is English, and she received the Fortitude Award at Grandview High School. In 2021, Kaitlyn graduated from Colorado State University.

I love working at Beyond the Blackboard because I can express my creativity and ideas! When I'm not working, I enjoy watching movies and finding new places to eat out! I also love to read and recently picked up knitting (I've been making stuffed animals with my new knitting skills).

Favorite Childhood Toys: Clue game, and Beanie Babies!

3 Fun Facts

I am very afraid of spiders.
My favorite animal is a frog; I collect frog-related things.
My favorite color is pink!

Sydney grew up in Tennessee, the state she calls her "second home". She moved back to Colorado with her family and enjoys the gorgeous views and all the state has to offer. Sydney enjoys traveling with her family and it has become a huge part of their lives. One of her biggest accomplishments is her membership in the National Honor Society. It's great to see all Sydney's hard work is paying off!

Something I love about working at Beyond the Blackboard is the staff I have the pleasure of working with. When I'm not working, I enjoy golfing, shopping, and hanging with friends. I spend my weekends off doing all of these things!

Favorite Childhood Book: Officer Buckle and Gloria

3 Fun Facts

I enjoy crocheting and it has become one of my favorite part time hobbies.
I also love the beach and plan on going to college near one. >br>My favorite way to travel is by cruise and the memories I have made on those adventures have shaped me into who I am today!

Ella is a student in high school. She hopes to become a lawyer after college. Ella wants to foster and adopt dogs when she's older. She is the “mom” of her friend group. Ella's family loves to hike and camp, especially with their puppy. She also has a tortoise named Mira. Ella successfully made macarons on her first try! She jokes that she is so coordinated that one time she managed to get a concussion and a broken toe all in one week.

Something I love about working at Beyond the Blackboard is posting on our TikTok. I also love sending out the monthly birthday coupon cards. My favorite thing by far is helping people find the perfect gift for their kid. When I'm not working, I love to bake all kinds of things! My favorite thing to make is macarons but I will never pass up baking a cake or cupcakes.

Favorite Books and Game:My all time favorite book is The Hate You Give, and my second favorite is Out of My Mind. My favorite game is Risk even though it takes so long to play.

3 Fun Facts

I’m a weightlifter and my happy place is the gym.
I’ve had 14 teeth pulled throughout my childhood.
If I could have an unlimited supply of food for the rest of my life it would be Annie’s Cheddar Shells (Mac & Cheese).

Luke has lived in Colorado his whole life, and likes anime, comics, and poetry. He also really loves art, with Van Gogh being his favorite artist by far.

I love working at Beyond the Blackboard because I loved the store as a kid, so being able to be a part of it is a special thing. When I'm not working, I enjoy writing poetry, playing tennis, and looking at art.

Favorite Childhood Game:Call of Duty: Black Ops 2

3 Fun Facts

I have an ongoing quest to find the perfect wallpaper for my phone.
I have an obsession with tattoo designs.
My favorite color is orchid (light purple).

For almost 15 years Erik has been working at Beyond the Blackboard! While he was still in high school, he volunteered with his family or school friends and after graduation from Cherry Creek High School, he joined the team as our official Maintenance Manager. He is our most regular and dedicated Team member! Watch for him in Arvada!

Karen is a New Yorker by birth but she and her husband fell in love with the Colorado lifestyle years ago and they raised three children here. Karen retired from Anthem Blue Cross after 15 years in the Medicare Division and she has 7 grandchildren.

Something I love about working at Beyond the Blackboard is seeing children's eyes light up when they first come into our store. I love helping customers find "just the right item". When I'm not working, I love cooking, gardening, and fishing.

Favorite Childhood Book: I have loved horses all my life and my favorite book was Misty of Chincoteague.

3 Fun Facts

I wanted to be a jockey when I was little.
I could exist on only cheesecake.
I could spend all day reading.

Sarah has lived in Colorado her entire life. She graduated from high school with honors and is currently pursuing a degree in Human Development and Family Studies at Colorado State University. Sarah is proud to call herself a CSU student! She and her family have two dachshund puppies, Hazel and Poppy (they are so sweet and cute).

I have loved working at Beyond the Blackboard for the past two years because working in the store and online is such a fun experience, with so much opportunity to learn and grow! When I am not working, I enjoy hanging out with my friends, watching my favorite shows on Netflix, and spending time outside!

Favorite Childhood Toys: My three bear stuffed animals that I named Teddy, Teddle, and Tedda

3 Fun Facts

My favorite insect is a ladybug.
If I could only eat one thing for the rest of my life it would be bagels.
I love black licorice.

Debbie, her husband, and their two daughters moved to the Denver area almost five years ago. They love being close to family, spending lots of time outdoors, and enjoying a slower paced lifestyle.

Something I enjoy about working at Beyond the Blackboard is how well we employees work together as a team. I also enjoy helping customers find the perfect gift! When I'm not working, I love hiking, paddle boarding, reading, and having fun with my kids.