Arvada K-8 School

Jeffco Public Schools

Gail Thompson
6th Grade Math/Science

Hello, my name is Mrs. Thompson and Welcome to 6th Grade! I am so excited to start out another year here at Arvada K8.

I was born and raised in the Midwest and attended Carroll College in Waukesha, Wisconsin. There, I graduated with a degree in Education and English. Then I went on to earn my Master’s degree in Education from Winona State University, Winona, Minnesota.

I am married to my amazing husband, Chris. He is British and talks with a proper British accent.  He completed his Master’s Degree in Architecture and Design from University of Portsmouth in the United Kingdom. Lucky for me he made his home here in the US. Our only baby is our four-legged dog, Teddy Bear and he is the love of our life. We hope to add some kitty babies to our family soon. 

We love spending time with our family and friends, which keeps us very busy. However, we also love traveling, gardening, cooking, going to movies, and taking long walks with Teddy Bear to relax. 

My entire career has been teaching in education both elementary and middle school. I am very grateful that I have been able to pursue my passion for teaching and helping our incredible students learn. The community and staff at Arvada K8 have been so supportive and amazing all the years that I have been here! Arvada K8 is the BEST! Go Timberwolves!

Chris VanderBloeman-Garcia 6th Grade ELA/Social Studies

Hello! 

My name is Chris Van der Bloemen-Garcia. I have been in Colorado for 19 years. Whenever people ask me where I’m from, I truly don’t know what to say. I was born in Detroit, Michigan then lived in Wichita, Kansas, Kansas City, Helena, Missoula, and Billings, Montana, Seattle Washington, Guam, Jakarta, Indonesia, Brasilia, Brazil, and Orlando, Florida!!!!!! I have taught all grades K-6. However, I’ve taught 6th grade the most since I’ve lived here in Colorado. I have enjoyed teaching all grades! 

I love to spend time with my 2 kids. I have a 19 year old daughter and an 18 year old son. I enjoy camping, fishing, crafting, cooking, exercising, and especially love to teach! 

I love Arvada K-8 for many reasons. I have taught 6th grade at this school for 2 years. What I like most about being at this school is that I feel like I belong with the students and teachers. I feel that everyone is genuine. I also like that we all have high expectations academically and socially. It’s a great community to belong to. 

Miki McConaha 6th Grade Math/Science Teacher

Hi!  My name is Miki McConaha and I am from Arvada, Colorado.  I went to college first in Charleston, SC.  My college was Charleston Southern University and I majored in Psychology.  Then after awhile of working in many different jobs, I went BACK to school at the University of Northern Colorado to become a teacher!  I taught in Denver Public Schools for 4 years as a 2nd Grade teacher.  Now I am at Arvada K8 as a 6th Grade Math Teacher!
I have two sons, Jonah and Bobby, and one daughter, Lucy.  I love to spend time with them and our 2 dogs, Harry and Vida.  My husband, Russ, and I get to watch them play a ton of sports like hockey, football, wrestling and softball.  We also love to go hiking and backpacking in the summer and then snowboarding and skiing in the winter!  
I am so excited to be a part of the Arvada K8 family and to learn all about the students here.  I cannot wait to start teaching and getting to know everyone and to be a part of the community that I live in.  This is going to be a great year!!!