English
The Mission of the Jefferson Academy English Department is to help students reason and communicate clearly, logically, and powerfully. 
Click a teacher's picture to see their website!

Sean Purcell:
10th & 12th ELA 

I started teaching at JA in 2009. Before that, I was a part-time instructor at CU Boulder, which is where I earned my M.A. in English. I am a Colorado transplant, born in Maryland but raised in Arizona, where I completed my undergraduate degree (also in English). This year, I am teaching 10th Grade Honors and SAT prep 
School photo of Sean Purcell


Lisanne Larsen:

9th ELA

My class is a smorgasbord into English Language Acquisition aligned with Colorado State Educational Standards. Students quantify meaning through Literature, two grade level collaborative programs, morphography and Latin study, an avalanche of grammar, and writing opportunities.  Our main goal is to have fun learning.  I've been teaching for a quarter of a century and have found no finer scholars nor colleagues than here at Jefferson Academy.  I'm a Colorado native that spent many formative summers in Norway with my grandparents.  My free time is usually consumed with the pleasures of the outdoors.
Lisanne Larsen smiling in front of a river


Thomas Hartmann:

10th & 12th ELA


Mr. Hartmann is in his second year at JA after graduating from Metropolitan State University in December 2019. He has a B.F.A. in English and a minor in Education. 


He’s lived in Colorado his entire life, is an avid Av’s/Broncos fan, a massive Tolkien fanatic, and a pretty regular gamer when he’s not teaching or grading. 
Thomas Hartmann poses with an orange grading pen


Kristine Risch

Junior High ELA & Electives


Mrs. Risch has been teaching at JA since April of 2014. She graduated from Colorado Christian University with a B.A. in Secondary Education and English. 


She loves teaching Junior High English and English electives, being a mama to her 2 beautiful children and her dog, all things Harry Potter, coffee, and reading voraciously.
Kristine Risch smiles


Abigail Doyle

Junior High ELA & Electives


Mrs. Doyle received her B.A. in Secondary Education and English from Colorado Christian University. She worked at several other middle and high schools around the Denver area for two years before coming to JA. She has been part of the JA family since August 2016. She also coaches the Jr/Sr High Debate team!


When she has some spare time, she enjoys discovering unique movies, playing with her dog, and hiking in her beautiful Rockies; and she never eats mushrooms, ever.

Abigail Doyle smiles at Van Gogh Exhibit