About Us

Courtney Elder and her husband, Chris, have three children at Traut: a fifth grader, a third grader, and a kindergartner.

Originally from Connecticut, Courtney graduated from Villanova University with degrees in Economics, Communications, and Business before beginning her career in investment banking in New York City.  After relocating to Colorado, she earned a master's degree in Occupational Therapy from Colorado State University and spent eight years working as a therapist in a rehabilitation hospital before stepping away to focus on raising her family.

Since joining the Traut community, Courtney has served as a classroom coordinator, Mentor Program volunteer, Parent Advisory Board (PAB) member, and classroom volunteer.  During the past two years on the PAB, she has served as Communications Coordinator and Vice President, working closely with school leadership through the Site-Based Management Council.  Through these roles, she has seen firsthand that Dr. Kendall and Traut's teachers consistently prioritize what is best for students while genuinely valuing parent perspectives.  She believes Traut exemplifies its vision of educational excellence in knowledge, skills, and character through strong partnerships among families, educators, and students.

Courtney is committed to strengthening those partnerships by supporting Traut's faculty and staff while representing the voices and perspectives of families. She believes that when parents, teachers, and students work together, they create the foundation for a thriving school community and continued student success.

Roxanna Costello is a parent of a third grader at Traut. She is a credit manager for a bank and has worked in the finance industry for over 10 years. Working remotely provides her with the flexibility to be actively involved in her daughter’s school and extracurricular activities. Since 2017, Roxanna has contributed to various non-profits and values opportunities to engage with her community. Roxanna, along with her husband Ryan and their daughter, moved to Colorado in the summer of 2023—a longtime dream come true. Roxanna is looking forward to another great year with the Traut community and contributing to the decisions that help students and the school thrive.  

Gavin Roy is a parent of two Traut students, Finn (2nd grade) and Hazel (Kindergarten), and has been an active member of the Traut community since his family chose to enroll at the school in 2024. He and his wife, Lauren, were drawn to Traut for its academic excellence, diverse programming, and strong culture of parent involvement.

Over the past two years, Gavin has become increasingly involved in the school community by coordinating with Mr. Maul, helping with the Pumpkin Run, leading a grant proposal for Traut's Outdoor Classroom, attending SBMC and PAB meetings, and helping relaunch the Character Education Committee. He has played a key role in supporting initiatives such as Mindful Mornings and improving communication through bulletin boards, newsletters, and parent resources.

Professionally, Gavin holds a Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science and works in language education and digital communications. He brings strengths in organization, project management, communication, and community engagement, along with a passion for building meaningful partnerships between families, teachers, and staff. Gavin is excited to continue serving the Traut community and contributing to the collaborative spirit that makes the school such a special place.

  Kristen Dodder is a mother to a Traut graduate, a current 4th grader, and a two-year-old at home. As a former Traut student herself, she has enjoyed staying connected to the Traut community for many years and is passionate about giving back to the school that has meant so much to her family.

After spending 13 years on the business side of healthcare at UCHealth, Kristen stepped away from her career to focus on raising her family and serving her community. She has been actively involved at Traut as a classroom coordinator, a member of the Fundraising Committee, and is now entering her second year on the Parent Advisory Board. As Communications Chair, she manages the PAB's social media presence and parent communications, helping keep families informed and engaged throughout the school year.

Beyond Traut, Kristen volunteers with the Kinard Middle School football program as the Administrative Assistant Football Coach and serves at her church in both Children's Ministry and on the Communications Team. She enjoys using her organizational and communication skills to support schools, families, and her local community.

Kristen believes that strong partnerships between parents, educators, and the community are the foundation of a thriving school. She is grateful for the opportunity to continue serving Traut and looks forward to helping strengthen the connections that make the school such a special place.

Katie Lowry is a proud Mom of a Traut graduate and a current second-grade student. She has served as Julie Cimino’s Art Coordinator for the past three years. Their goal being to celebrate and showcase the incredible talents of our student artists. Katie also serves as a mentor for new Traut families, helping them feel welcomed and connected to the school community.

Outside of Traut, Katie enjoys spending time with her husband, John. They love to support local restaurants and soak in the outdoor lifestyle that makes this area so special. Having grown up here, she is deeply invested in the continued success of the town and its schools.

Katie believes that the strong partnership between parents, teachers, and staff is one of Traut’s greatest strengths. As a Parent Board Member, she is committed to fostering meaningful opportunities for families to connect. She is dedicated to serving with integrity and collaboration, while ensuring that Traut’s vision guides the team’s decision making. 

 Molly Stong is a proud mom of two; Myla, a third grader at Traut, and a 4-year-old who is starting in Early Childhood this year. In addition to serving on the Parent Advisory Board, Molly will also be the Class Coordinator for Myla’s class.

Professionally, Molly has been a hairstylist for over 10 years. Her husband owns a local landscaping business, and both are Fort Collins natives who feel grateful to raise their family in the community they love.

Molly is passionate about Traut and all it represents. She’s excited to partner with teachers and parents, serving as both a voice for children and a positive example in the school community.

Chantel Garman-Cooley is the mom of two students currently at Traut, a 4th grader and a 3rd grader. She and her family are grateful to be part of the Traut community and appreciate the school's commitment to supporting the whole child academically, emotionally, and socially. Traut has provided a place where her children feel known, encouraged, and supported, and that has meant so much to their family.

Professionally, Chantel is a Senior Integration Engineer at Global Healthcare Exchange, where she has spent the past 20 years solving complex problems, collaborating across teams, and helping move projects forward. Before transitioning into technology, she studied elementary education, completed her student teaching at Dunn Elementary, and worked in education for several years. That experience continues to shape her passion for creating learning environments where every child feels supported and valued.

Chantel believes that strong partnerships between families and schools are essential to building a thriving community. She enjoys bringing people together, fostering open communication, and turning ideas into meaningful action. In addition to her professional experience, her family serves as a Larimer County foster family, an experience that has strengthened her commitment to advocating for compassionate, inclusive environments where all children feel safe, seen, and supported.

Outside of work, Chantel enjoys coaching her children's sports teams and spending time at Traut, where she can often be found connecting with other families on the playground after school. She is excited for the opportunity to serve on the Parent Advisory Board and looks forward to giving back to the school community that has given so much to her family.