About Mrs. Gorkaya

It is my belief that in order to build a strong classroom community for students and families, it is important for everyone to get to know the teacher that will be working with your children. My name is JoAnna Gorkaya, and I will be your student's teacher this year in fourth grade! I grew up here in Parker, and am so happy that I get to raise my family here, too. I graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver with a degree in English and Elementary Education. I have been at Prairie Crossing for 8 years and have taught both third and fourth grades. I have enjoyed teaching fourth grade, and love the curriculum and subjects I get to explore with the students through the year! My passion is with reading, and I am so excited to be able to share that passion with the class this year as we explore a variety of genres and authors in our reading groups as well as in our read alouds!

Along with being a teacher, I am a wife and a mommy. My husband, Max, and I have a daughter named Mila and a son named Ryder. Being a parent has brought so much joy to my life. I love watching them grow, learn, and develop into themselves. Mila is a spitfire and is constantly making me laugh with her wise beyond her years phrases. She is an observer, and takes a lot of the world in through watching people and life happen around her. Ryder has been the perfect piece to complete our family. He is contagiously happy, and always has a smile on his face. Being 1, he is still all about exploring and figuring out his world! I love their curiosity and their drive to get to know all things around them. We also have two dogs, Bella and King. They are both very loving and fun dogs. They love "their" babies and are just as much their parents as we are.

 
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In compliance with Titles VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, and Colorado law, the Douglas County School District RE-1 does not unlawfully discriminate against otherwise qualified students, employees, applicants for employment, or members of the public on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services. Discrimination against employees and applicants for employment based on age, genetic information, and conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth is also prohibited in accordance with state and/or federal law. Complaint procedures have been established for students, parents, employees, and members of the public. The School District's Compliance Officer and Title IX Coordinator to address complaints alleging sexual harassment under Title IX is Aaron Henderson, 620 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, [email protected], 720-433-1083.

Outside Agencies

Complaints regarding violations of Title VI, (race, national origin), Title IX (sex, gender), Section 504/ADA (handicap or disability), may be filed directly with the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 1244 North Speer Blvd., Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204. Complaints regarding violations of Title VII (employment) and the ADEA (prohibiting age discrimination in employment) may be filed directly with the Federal Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 303 E. 17th Ave., Suite 510, Denver, CO 80202, or the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 1050, Denver, CO 80202.

NOTICE OF DESTRUCTION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION RECORDS

Special Education records which have been collected by Douglas County School District related to the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or the provision of special education in the district, must be maintained under state and federal laws for the period of five (5) years after special education services have ended for the student. Special education services end when the student is no longer eligible for services, graduates, or completes his/her educational program at age 21, or moves from the district. This notification is to inform parents/guardians and former students of Douglas County School District's intent to destroy the special education records of students who exited special education services as of June 30, 2016. These records will be destroyed in accordance with state law unless the parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student notifies the school district otherwise. After five years, the records are no longer useful to the district, but may be useful to the parent/guardian or former student in applying for social security benefits, rehabilitation services, college entrance, etc. The parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student may request a copy of the records by requesting the records at this link ( Douglas County School District Transcripts and Records Requests ).