Meet Mrs. CarvalhO

Mrs. Kristen Carvalho was born in Ohio and moved to Southern Colorado when she was six. She grew up in the tiny town of Westcliff on a ranch. When she was a junior in high school she moved to Fort Collins, soon to become a Hoplite herself.

“I WENT TO RIDGEVIEW FOR A YEAR AND A HALF!”

She attended Colorado State University and worked for the American Society of Microbiology. She did a teaching fellowship that took her all over the state, teaching at various schools. She returned to teach Math at Ridgeview. She also taught Science before becoming the full-time Outdoor Education Coordinator in 2020. “I love introducing kids to my favorite places. We have so many amazing places to go here in Colorado.”

Mrs. Carvalho is a very experienced outdoorsman, having grown up doing a lot with her parents. However, it was in college when she began the true learning process. “I got really into skiing in college and went on my first backpacking trip when I was a freshman in college and we didn’t know what we were doing. We forgot to bring a tent. It was amazing.”

Mrs. Carvalho says a lot has changed since she was a student, but in the best way.

“The Main difference is the outdoor program as well as Mr. Anderson and his efforts to build more community through new events like Valborgsmässoafton.”

“The Senior Thesis is more extensive now,” adds Carvalho. “Now students are allowed to add a more personal stamp to it.”

Mrs. Carvalho has two children who both attend Ridgeview; a daughter in Kindergarten and a son in third grade.

“Everyone here is so grateful. PArents go out of their way to tell you how you are making a difference in their kids lives. Getting to feel like you do something that really matters is really important.”

When asked how Ridgeview holds up next to all the other schools that she has experience teaching at, Mrs. Carvalho replied

“I think that here you are trusted to do your job well. I have more freedom here to choose how I want to teach children.”

Mrs. Carvalho has been an integral part of the budding Outdoor Program here at Ridgeview. Her expertise as an adventurer as well as an educator paired with her passion for the wilderness has fostered much growth among the students as they accompany her on class trips. We look forward to the adventures that have yet to come.