Colorado:

Leonard Zigment

• Rank: United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel
• Teaching Locations: Widefield School District #3 in Colorado Springs, CO
• Teaching Levels: Math, Grades 9-12

Wayne Kirkbride

• Rank: United States Army Lieutenant Colonel
• Teaching Locations: Monument Academy in Monument, CO
• Teaching Levels: 8th grade Physical Science and 10th grade Physics
• Biographical Information: Served 22 years in the Army in a variety of light infantry, special forces and engineer units in Korea, Panama and Hawaii. Traveled extensively throughout Latin America and Asia on military duty. Graduated from the United States Military Academy with a BS in Engineering (no teaching courses). TTT program enabled me to take over 50 hours of teaching courses to gain a teaching certificate.

Brett W. Smith

• Rank: United States Army SFC-E7
• Status and Date: Retired July 2001
• Teaching Locations: Timberview Middle School, Colorado Springs, CO
• Teaching Levels: Currently Middle School Principal. Formerly, Special Ed Teacher & Asst. Principal
• Biographical Information: BA in History and Special Education; Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction; and Masters of Public Administration from the University of Colorado. Current doctoral candidate in Educational Leadership with the University of Phoenix. Have a Colorado K-12 Principal license, K-12 Director of Special Education license, and K-12 teaching license for Special Ed. Teach graduate courses in Special Ed and Ed Leadership for the University of Phoenix and Regis University.

Ernie Derrera

• Rank: United States Navy MMCS(SS) E-8
• Status and Date: Discharged Active Duty November 19, 1998; Currently serving in US Naval Reserves
• Teaching Locations: Roosevelt High School in Weld RE5-J School District, Johnstown, CO
• Teaching Levels: Math & Science, Grades 9-12
• Biographical Information: 11.5 years active duty in Nuclear Power program, including instructor duty at NPTU Idaho Falls and NNPS Orlando. Bachelor's degree in Nuclear Engineering, Master's degree in Education Supervision. Spent two years as an engineer after leaving active duty before becoming a high school teacher. Completed Alternative Teacher Licensure program (ask me about it). Can't think of any job I'd rather be doing; the kids are great!

Sean P. Madden

• Rank: United States Navy MM1 (SW) E-6
• Status and Date: Honorably Discharged February 1997, Currently US Naval Reserves
• Teaching Locations: Greeley West High School, Greeley CO
• Teaching Levels: Math, Grades 9-12
• Biographical Information: Six years of active duty in the Naval Nuclear Power program including instructor duty at NPTU Idaho Falls, ID and service aboard the USS Carl Vinson, CVN-70. B.A.-Molecular Biology and Science Education; B.S.-Nuclear Technology; M.A. Biochemistry Research; Ph.D. Chemical Education. My Navy experience helped me to appreciate the importance of mathematics and science, an idea I try to convey to my students. I think that Troops to Teachers is a great program, and I encourage qualified veterans to pursue a career in teaching. Our kids need you!