Computer Science / Engineering & Design

Guangxi University - BS
Old Dominion University - MS
At CA Since: 2024

Liang Chen began her teaching career at STEM School Highlands Ranch, where she taught AP Statistics, Honors Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, and Trigonometry. She then moved on to Lakewood High School where she specialized in technology courses, such as AP Computer Science A, Coding, Website Development, Computer Systems, and Intro to PC Applications. She was also Principal of the Denver Chinese School in Lakewood for two years.

University of Virginia - BS
University of Virginia - MAT
Laura Farmer came to CA in fall 2021 as Educational Technology Specialist, helping students, teachers, and staff to apply technology to enhance their learning, instruction, and exploration, and fulfill their needs for more elegant, practical, or efficient ways to accomplish their objectives. She was most recently Director of Online Student Programs at EXPLO, a nonprofit multi-campus summer program for students in Grades 2-12. Farmer is especially experienced in developing instructional strategies for remote learning, developing innovative curricula for technology-rich learning experiences, and coaching teacher efforts in technology integration. She holds a BS in Chemistry and an MAT in Secondary Science Education from the University of Virginia.

Austin College - BA
Austin College - MA
As CA since 2021

Kyle Gillette teaches computer science courses in the Upper School. He came to CA in fall 2021 from teaching an Intro to C ++ course at Colorado School of Mines and instructing students at Lakewood, Conifer, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln high schools in AP computer science, programming, data structures, web design, networking, and algebra over the course of nearly 30 years. Gillette is fluent in a number of programming and scripting languages, has served as a reader for AP Computer Science exams, and enjoys coaching competitive computer science/programming teams. He holds a BA in Mathematics and English, and an MA in Secondary Education from Austin College in Sherman, Texas.

University of Illinois - BA
University of Colorado - MBA
Air University - Master of Military Operational Art and Science
At CA since 2021

Michael McLaughlin joined CA’s Upper School to teach physics and computer science in fall 2021. Formerly a Colonel in the U.S. Air Force, he is a pilot with more than 2000 flight hours, ultimately serving as the Air Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Brussels, Belgium. Since his retirement, he has embraced a second career as a math and science teacher. He taught physics and Algebra I at Heritage High School in Littleton, Colo., and most recently taught a variety of AP physics courses, honors geometry, and engineering principles and design at Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora, Colo. McLaughlin holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois, an MBA from the University of Colorado, and a Master of Military Operational Art and Science from Air University. He is fluent in French and enjoys coaching youth sports, cycling, piano, and photography.

Illinois Wesleyan University - BA
Chaminade University - MA
At CA since 2021

Travis Reynolds came to Colorado Academy as the Lower School Technology/Makerspace teacher in fall 2021. His previous experience includes designing and utilizing user-centered innovation labs to engage students in Grades K-8 at the Turning Point School in Culver City, Calif. He introduces students to a range of hardware, software, and emerging technologies in the fields of robotics, coding, 3D printing, laser cutting, mobile app development, and virtual reality. Reynolds has also taught algebra and been a mentor, judge, and tournament director in FIRST Lego League. He holds BA in Hispanic Studies from Illinois Wesleyan University and a Master of Education in Instructional Leadership from Chaminade University in Honolulu, Hawaii.