Department of Student Success (DSS)

Hello! I work with Kindergarten-4th grade students who need extra support in all academic areas. I teach literacy skills to small groups of students, coordinate and implement special education plans, and work closely with teachers & parents to troubleshoot concerns with their students.

I have been working at Lincoln Academy since April 2001 when I signed my oldest son, Anthony, up for Kindergarten. I have loved working with Lincoln families and have enjoyed watching many students grow up.

I have a Master's Degree from the University of Virginia in Elementary Education and Special Education (ages 2 - 21 with concentration areas in mild/moderate academic needs and behavioral disorders). I interned at the McGuffey Reading Center at the University of Virginia and was a research assistant observing students with ADHD in their classrooms. Many things have changed since I went to college and I continue to learn through amazing conferences given by the Colorado Department of Education and curriculum-specific training from intervention programs.

I am Orton-Gillingham trained and completed the Colorado Department of Education’s READ Act Class. I am trained in many curricula including Wilson, Really Great Reading, Burst, 95 Percent Group, and Lindamood-Bell’s Visualizing and Verbalizing program. I recently attended an Understanding Dyslexia online course and am certified in CPR and First Aid.

My husband, Matt, and I have four children who all attended and graduated from Lincoln. We have always enjoyed the small community feel and friendships we developed. My children are still friends with the kids (now adults!) they met at Lincoln. I enjoy spending time with my husband and adult children, (and Luna, my Grand-doggie!) gardening with my husband, hiking with friends, playing the piano, reading, cooking, star-gazing, camping, and relaxing on my deck watching the hummingbirds that come to visit!  

My name is Karen Dwyer and I very much enjoy being a part of the Lincoln Academy DSS Team!  I am the GT/Enrichment Coordinator.  My job is to be a liaison and provide support to teachers, students, and parents of ALP students. 

I am grateful for the opportunity to be working alongside all of our teachers in the support of Gifted and Talented students this year. I will be providing enrichment groups for K-8 students that will concentrate on different strength areas throughout the year in addition to providing help with the goals of ALP students. 

I grew up in the Arvada area and I am thankful that our girls are growing up here too, close to our wonderful family and friends. We enjoy spending time traveling, skiing and playing games. Since I love Colorado so much, I received my Bachelor’s Degree from The University of Northern Colorado and my Master’s Degree from Regis University. I have been teaching since 2000 and feel blessed to work in a field for which I am passionate. I also love working with the amazing community of Lincoln Academy!

Speech Language Pathologist (SLP)

I’ve served as Lincoln Academy’s SLP since 2013. My role is to provide articulation, voice, resonance and language-based therapy to students in grades K-8. Outside of work, I enjoy biking around LoHi with my husband and daughters, hiking, spending time with friends and traveling when I can.

I have an M.A. in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Colorado, Boulder and an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Colorado, Denver. I've worked in both clinical and school settings at sites including the University of Colorado Speech, Language, Hearing Center, Denver Public Schools and Children's Hospital (Cleft Lip/Palate Clinic, Velopharyngeal Insufficiency Clinic and general speech/language interventions.