IMPROVED MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH ARE TOP PRIORITIES FOR WPS STAFF IN 2025
Colorado STEM Academy Assistant Principal Dr. Carli Yameen speaks for many of her co-workers when she thinks about her New Year’s Resolutions.
“I plan to keep attending my new gym at Club Pilates a few times a week and eat healthy. If I don't take care of myself, I can't take care of my kids,” she wrote when What’s Up WPS asked staff members to share their resolutions and priorities for 2025.
Yameen has always been aware of her health, but says her new commitment to pilates is a realization that she needs, “to focus on self-care and mindfulness.” She says pilates is the ideal solution because this type of exercise requires intense concentration. “You can’t think about anything else when you are doing pilates. It really makes you focus on self-care.”
Carli with Governor Polis during a visit to STEM.
She is not alone in saying 2025 will be a year of healthy living.
Mesa Elementary school teacher Kristina Karlin wants to regain her ability to run 10 K races. Instructional Assistant Kim Thomson plans to eat less processed food.
Don’t be surprised if you see Andi Morago from Hodgkins Leadership Academy out walking the Denver Orbital Trail or find WHS Language Arts Teacher Caitlyn Fitch rock climbing.
Westy art teacher Michelle Music, who already donates so much of her time to students, plans to get her black belt in Taekwondo.
Kaiser Permanente, the district’s insurance provider, has 7 Tricks for Keeping your New Year’s Resolutions.
- Know Your Reasons
- Be Specific
- Use Habit-Forming Tricks
- Ask for Help
- Track Your Progress
- Seek Out Inspiration
- Forgive Slip-Ups
The very diverse staff of WPS has goals beyond physical fitness:
CSLA Assistant Principal Kodi Kelly wants to read more and find time for creative projects.
Music teacher Amanda Aragon-McPherson hopes to complete volume one of a middle school novel she started years ago and create illustrations for her children’s book.
Long Term substitute teacher Mei Gifford at Fairview Elementary hopes for a life-changing year by getting into law school and buying a home.
It's good to be the children of teacher Michael Moore from Westminster Academy for International Studies because he resolves to use their passports once a year to have them take trips abroad to expand their horizons.
Michelle de Marrias, Case Management Specialist at Westminster High School, has a schedule change in mind. “I am going to do household chores Monday through Thursday so I can spend more time on the weekend with my family and friends focused on relaxation and having fun.”
Substitute teacher Adrian Casillas vows to spend 15 minutes a day learning guitar.
WHS ELA teacher Taylor Lucio has plans that will benefit her and her students. “My New Year's resolution is to improve my Spanish for my upcoming vacation to Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Costa Rica,” she shared.
Finally, everyone would do well to follow the lead of Alberto Carrillo De Santiago from Orchard Park Academy works with the WPS title program.
“My wish is to continue with a positive attitude, a big smile, and be full of love!”