Our Curriculum
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Our school is designed on a 3-year repeating cycle that ensures a broader world-view rather than an American-centric world view. Each unit is 6 weeks long. Each time a student revisits a unit, the material becomes more in depth for them. We use composition notebooks, and make table of contents pages so that everything they learn is handy and available for them as they progress through their academic life.
YEAR 1 (2018-19; 2021-2022)
Unit 1: The Beginning--solar system, chemistry, physics
Unit 2: Mesopotamia/Middle East--engineering, nutrition
Unit 3: North Africa--environment, desertification
Unit 4: Important Topics in U.S. History--space race, engineering
Unit 5: Middle Ages/Renaissance--architecture, biology, viruses’
Unit 6: WWI/1900-1930--chemistry, physics
Unit 7: Russia--electricity, magnetism
YEAR 2 (2019-20; 2022-23)
Unit 8: Paleontology--geology, volcanoes, plants
Unit 9: MesoAmerica--biology, biodiversity, America’s animals
Unit 10: Greece/Rome--biology, human systems
Unit 11: N/NW Asia--rise of technology, nuclear age
Unit 12: Colonialism/Imperialism--Plagues & People, microbiology
Unit 13: WWII/1930-1950--biowarfare, ethics
Unit 14: Oceania--oceanography, islands
YEAR 3 (2020-21; 2023-24)
Unit 15: Evolution/MesoAfrica--archaeology, earthquakes
Unit 16: Southern Africa--anthropology, brain/gut science, epigenetics, wetlands
Unit 17: India/SE Asia--Asian beliefs, weather, energy
Unit 18: Europe--heredity, biology
Unit 19: World Geography--fossil fuels, borders
Unit 20: 1950-Present--global warming, insects, economics
Unit 21: Central/South America--anthropology, ecology, rainforest
Head Teacher
Kish Widgren
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WELCOME! My name is Kish Widgren. I am the head-teacher, owner, and founder of Kishami Academy, LLC.
OUR MISSION is to see all students succeed by addressing their needs individually. Each student is empowered as we fill in knowledge gaps, allowing them to learn at their pace, and aid in physical balancing of mind and body by bridging disruptive connections within the brain.
Teaching Experiences
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I have been teaching in one form or other since Kindergarten when I assisted my teachers with lower reading groups before running down the hall to my own reading group. Since then, I have studied with my mom, home-schooled my brother, tutored my friends, used my ability to read and understand directions to tutor those in classes I had never taken before. I like to learn!
These experiences have given me insight into practices that do and do not work, politics that hinder education, and ideas that I can apply freely in my classroom as needed to address the needs of each student.
I HAVE TAUGHT
- Sunday school, 2-3 year olds (4 years)
- AWANA, 3-4th grade (2 years)
- Pioneer Girls, 5-6th grade (3 years)
- Home-Scholar group, preschool-11th grade (2 years)
- Substitute Teacher, 5 districts in California (2 years)
- Substitute Teacher, 5 districts in Colorado (4 years)
- ELD teacher, 4th grade + Intervention (1 year)
My Likes
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Food: Pizza, tacos
Color: Teal, maroon, purples
Candy: Plain chocolates or chocolate covered toffee
Shows: Criminal Minds, Big Bang Theory, Fringe, Firefly, Star Trek (all), NCIS
Hobbies: Reading, writing, research
Science Instructor
Sarah Setterlind
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Currently on Maternity Leave: We miss her as a Tuzya, but her amazing mothering skills are what makes her a great addition to our school. Therefore, she is out with her family as long as she feels the need.
Working with students has been my passion and focus since my very first job working in public schools. I feel very fortunate to be able to help the students who need it most in a setting where I and my colleagues have the freedom to create new and innovative methods of instruction. One of the most rewarding parts of working with special needs students has been helping identify exactly where they are at, collaborating on a plan of action with my colleagues and then seeing the growth that results.
I also love the outdoors, exploring the world with my husband and daughter, and laughing as much as possible.
My Certifications
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- Board-Certified Behavior Therapist specializing in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy
- “Highly-Qualified” in Special Education via CO PLACE Exam
- Professional Education
- BA in Biology & BA in Zoology, Colorado State University
Teaching Experiences
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- Special Education Paraprofessional, Rifle High School, Rifle, CO
- Title 1 Paraprofessional, Monterey Elementary School, Colo. Springs, CO
- ABA Therapist, ACES
- ABA Therapist, Alpine Autism Center
- Tutor, Kishami Academy
- Sciences Instructor, Kishami Academy
My Likes
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Food: Pretzels, cultural fun foods
Candy: Fruits, chocolates (NO coconut)
Color: Blue
Shows: Community, The Office, Shark Tank, Perfect Strangers
Hobbies: Hiking, video games, crafts, baking, animals
Mathematics & Language Arts Volunteer Instructor
Qwin Morgan
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I'm a very eclectic and creative person. I love getting to spend an afternoon in the library. I always have some new thing I desperately want to learn about. I fell into teaching by accident and found I loved it! To have found Kishami Academy is a delight. A place to volunteer my time, doing something I really enjoy.
Teaching Experiences
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- Colorado State Substitute Teacher 1998-2012
- B.S. Science & Criminal Sociology USC Pueblo 1998
- A.A. Graphic Arts PPCC 1984
- Certificates: CNA, EMT B&I
- Military Service: Army (92B10) 1985
My Likes
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Color: Dark green, lilac
Food: Vegetarian, rice & pasta, peaches, strawberries (allergic to peppers)
Size: 2XL anything soft, short or no sleeves
Shows: Scooby Doo (all), Ghibli (Anime)
Hobbies: Reading, rocks
Animals: Red pandas, turtles