About Mr. Monahan
I am so excited to be a part of the Flagstaff Elementary community and have your child in my 5th class for the 2023-2024 academic year! I look forward to meeting you and getting to know your family. Below is a snapshot to help you get to know me just a little bit better as we begin this new school year together.
I was born and raised in New Jersey and consider myself an avid New York Yankees and New York Giants fan. However, I always felt a deep connection to the lifestyle, healthy attitudes, and (of course!) the picturesque Rocky Mountains. In the summer of 2004, I packed my belongings, drove across the country, and settled down in Boulder. Shortly thereafter, I married my beautiful wife Pamela at Red Rocks amphitheater in Golden where we first met. Our commitment to having a family motivated me to make a career change. I had been working in the restaurant industry when I switched gears. I graduated from the University Of Colorado at Boulder in 2012 with a B.A. in History and my Elementary Education teaching certificate. In 2017, I completed my M.A. in Literacy. The transition from restaurants to classrooms was a natural one for me, as I thrive on being in a high-energy environment. I still love to cook and create unique meals for my family and friends, but I am extremely passionate about being in the classroom with young learners.
I have taught 3rd Grade at Eldorado K-8 in Superior and 4th Grade at High Peaks in Boulder, where I embraced the Core Knowledge curriculum and the methods with which it builds upon itself year to year. This will be my sixth year teaching at Flagstaff. I believe in creating a nurturing classroom community by focusing on successful communication, trust and support. I facilitate community circles at the end of each week so that I can check in with my students, and my students can check in with one another. During this time we celebrate what went well during the week and discuss what to work on the following week. I particularly enjoy figuring out how to meet the individual needs of every student, and also helping all my students learn to see themselves in relation to the global community. This includes discussing current events, holding debates, and using technology for research and presentations.
When I am not in the classroom, working with students, or studying, I enjoy spending time with my wife Pamela, our sixteen-year-old daughter Eliana, and our goofy Goldendoodle named Cassidy. Eliana, who just finished her Sophmore year at Boulder High, is our resident Harry Potter and Marvel Comic expert. My passions include teaching, technology, seeing live music and travel.
I am humbled by the opportunity to work with the extraordinary staff of Flagstaff Academy and it’s active parent community. Most importantly, it is a privilege for me to support and guide your children as they learn and grow throughout the year. Please feel free to reach out to me anytime for any reason.
