Silver SPRUCE Academy Staff
We have a wonderful, educated and talented staff here at Silver SPRUCE Academy. All of whom are here to help with your homeschool enrichment needs.
Executive Director
Principal
Program Teacher
Natalie Horn-Howard
As a lifetime Colorado resident, Natalie enjoys the outdoors, learning, and exploring her world for knowledge. She graduated from Ignacio High School in 1999, attended Fort Lewis College earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and continued her studies in a distance education program at CU Greeley earning a Masters in Education in Administration and Educational Leadership.
Natalie and her family have a great appreciation for nature, embarking on family adventures, and learning new things each day.
Natalie has worked with school choice families since 2005. Her outgoing and bubbly personality create a social environment for students that exemplifies group interaction and allows for ample opportunities for students to engage in educational experiences.
Natalie quotes, "I love learning and I love inspiring others to learn. Each person is unique and is skilled in certain qualities, the key is celebrating each child's special gifts and exploring education with that at the forefront."
"Natalie's motto to teaching is organized chaos with no box!"
Executive Assistant
Program Teacher
Janna Potter
Janna was born and raised in the Four Corners area and graduated from Ignacio High School in 1999. She became certified as a Medical Transcriptionist in 2006 from San Juan College and Career Step. In 2014 Janna obtained a certificate from The Photography Institute in digital photography and became a certified user of Quickbooks. She maintains a substitute teacher license through the State of Colorado each year. Janna earned a certificate towards a Bachelors in Marriage, Family, and Human Relationships through Brigham Young University-Idaho in 2021.
Janna and Natalie have known each other since preschool and connected again through the school choice program that Natalie previously directed. Janna was excited when she heard that Natalie was starting Silver SPRUCE Academy because she believes in the value of school choice.
Janna remarried in May 2023 and currently lives in Utah. Along with her family, she enjoys Jeeping, boating, camping, hiking, and traveling.
Program Assistant
Program Teacher
Kim Harms
Kim has lived in Durango over 20 years and is a passionate lifelong learner who loves to explore the Colorado outdoors. Through hiking, biking, skiing and paddling, she has gained an appreciation for the mountains, deserts and rivers of the 4 corners. Her love of teaching developed as she guided her own kids through their education and by volunteering in many academic settings including LEGO League and MakerLab. She has a degree in engineering from CSU and specializes in STEM topics. She believes in learning through hands-on projects that are inspired by personal interests.
