Amy has deep roots in the Centennial community. Arriving in 1989 after teaching in Houston, Texas for two years, she immediately engaged with the community in an essential way by educating its children and connecting with families. Amy’s thirty-four year career with Littleton Public Schools began at Highland Elementary as a classroom teacher in the primary grades. Teaching the history of the Centennial area to second graders was one of her first units of instruction. Learning about the community through the eyes of children helped her fall in love with the area. She never looked back!
In 2006, Amy was delighted to make the move to Centennial and has lived here ever since. Her sons, Connor and Garrett, attended Littleton Public Schools from kindergarten through high school. They are now thriving as adults. Amy also has three amazing (now adult) step-children, Nick, Tara and Ryan. A unique family coincidence is that Connor and his brother Nick have parallel careers as engineers; Garrett and his brother Ryan both have Masters Degrees and careers in mathematics; and Amy’s stepdaughter Tara is an elementary teacher as she was. Amy and their father, John, enjoy a solid friendship and partnership in supporting the family as it expands to include two beautiful grandchildren.
While Amy’s career began in the classroom, it expanded over the years to include work as a literacy specialist and instructional coach. She has extensive training and background in working with adult learners and acting as a liaison between teachers and administrators. These positions also offered the opportunity to take on many leadership roles within the LPS community. She chaired and facilitated a variety of committees including Leadership Teams, Response to Intervention, Positive Behavioural Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Teams and Accountability Committees. In addition, Amy has presented at numerous technology and literacy conferences on the state, national and international level. In 2020 she was awarded the Curo award for making a difference in the lives of students with learning disabilities. These leadership roles helped prepare Amy for a position on the City Council.
Since retiring from teaching a year ago Amy devotes time and energy to her community. She serves on a school accountability committee, an educational advisory committee, and a social justice committee. She also tutors, volunteers for various community organizations, and is a member of the First Universalist Church of Denver. She currently substitute teaches for LPS and has taught at nearly every school in all grades K-12.
One of Amy’s personal passions is writing. In 2012 she co-authored an informational book for children called Wondrous Creatures that won the Independent Publisher of the Year Award. She also enjoys playing tennis, cycling on the Centennial trails, hiking 14ers, and skiing with her family and friends in our beautiful Colorado mountains.
To learn more and see updates on my Community and Candidate activities please visit my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AmyTharpForCentennial
Amy Tharp for Centennial 