Meet Angela Christensen, the Executive Director of School District 51 Foundation. Their mission is to raise funds for academic growth and achievement and promote outreach to benefit kids and community. The volunteer Board of Directors is made up of community leaders, business owners, parents, elected Board of Education members and district staff. The strength and diversity of this board leads to amazing partnerships and major successes.
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Q: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
A: It’s not exactly what I was expecting to end up doing, but it seems now to be the perfect fit! I taught for about 6 years at Palisade High School and then I taught for another 6 years at Colorado Christian University (some of that was kind of overlapping). I got my Masters before my kids were born and then I graduated with my Doctorate from CSU in Education and Human Resource Studies. I still remember being in my cap and gown and holding my small babies and thinking I DID IT! I started off in the English department at CMU and then taught Adjunct classes for about 4 years teaching about 3 or 4 classes a semester. At that time, I also started serving on the Board of Directors for D51 Foundation and then the position came open with the Foundation. I felt that the momentum we had built with the Foundation would really help impact things in the district as well as help the community understand how important schools are. I decided to apply for the position as the Executive Director of D51 and was selected. I absolutely loved teaching at CMU, but soon realized this was a lot to be doing, so I soon decided to focus solely on D51 Foundation.
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Q: What is your favorite restaurant in The Grand Valley, and what do you love there?
A: The Winery. I love their shrimp tempura and mushrooms. It has a special place in my heart because that is also where my husband proposed to me.
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Q: How long have you lived or worked in The Grand Valley?
A: Since I was 10 years old. My father had gone rafting down the Colorado River (we were from Indiana) and he said we’re going to move to Colorado!
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Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in The Grand Valley?
A: Kelly Flenniken
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Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: I haven’t been to Europe, so I would love to go there.
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Q: What is your favorite movie OR what is the first movie you remember seeing in a theatre?
A: My favorite movie is Father of the Bride.
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Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people?
A: I believe you should do something you are passionate about. Hard work and prayer will take you far.
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Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: To watch all 3 of my kids graduate from college.
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Q: What is your favorite music / 3 bands you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: I listen to K-LOVE and Air1 all the time (Christian music) and my husband has helped me fall in love with country music. Looking forward to Country Jam this year!
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Q: What current/former local business makes you the most nostalgic about The Grand Valley?
A: Hallmark downtown.
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Q: Choosing any non-relative: with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? Where in The Grand Valley would you have lunch?
A: Madeleine Albright. I would take her somewhere quiet, 626 on Rood maybe.
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Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about The Grand Valley?
A: I love the mountains so much; they are just so grounding in so many ways.
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Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?
A: I think that there is room for lots of opportunities, I would imagine in the field of education, but in 10 years I may be retired.
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Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: Bill (my husband) and I share the same birthday and we are both left-handed. I was born in Indianapolis and he was born in Grand Junction on the same day about 15 minutes apart.
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Q: What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
A: Peaceful, loving, & supportive.
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Q: Who would you like to see nominated for this project, The Faces of The Grand Valley?
A: Robin Brown
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Q: If you were cast into a major motion picture and had your choice of anyone to be your co-star, who would you choose?
A: Tom Cruise
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Q: If you had a full-time staff member that was fully paid for, who would you choose & why?
Chef, Housekeeper, Driver, Coach, Physical Fitness Trainer or Nanny?
A: Chef
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