After earning her BA, Cum Laude in History (honors thesis mentored by Dr. Fred Anderson) and English at the University of Colorado - Boulder, Mrs. Joan A. Jahelka embarked on her teaching career in Colorado Springs at the high school level, where she taught across disciplines including AP Literature, History of the American West, and Remedial Reading.  She earned her MA in Curriculum and Instruction and Administrators License at the University of Colorado - Colorado Springs.  After serving the Colorado Springs District 11 community for ten years as the Social Studies Facilitator and AVID District Director, she served teachers and administrators nationally while President of the National Social Studies Leaders Association.  Retirement from K-12 education provided to opportunity to return to the classroom at UCCS in the College of Education.  She and her husband Peter continue supporting their three children as they defined their paths from Pasadena, CA to Sitka, AK, and Boston, MA.  When not fishing, skiing, or cycling, Mrs. Jahelka can be found supporting members of Woodmen Valley 4-H or improving her fiddle-playing skills.