Honoring Graland’s 2026 Master Teachers
At Graland, the Master Teacher designation recognizes educators who have taught at the school for 20 years. This year, Graland celebrates Aaron Murray (Grade 6 Science), Julie O’Connor (Grade 3), and Jessica Williams (Grade 2), three educators whose work has had a lasting impact on students and the broader school community.
They were honored this spring by colleagues, students, family members, and mentors who have been part of their journeys. With 73 Master Teachers in Graland’s history and 17 currently teaching on campus, this recognition connects them to a group of educators whose contributions have shaped the school over time. Their photos were also added to the Master Teacher wall in Georgia Nelson, recognizing their place in Graland’s legacy.
In the profiles that follow, Mr. Murray, Mrs. O’Connor, and Ms. Williams reflect on their “superpowers,” favorite traditions, influential mentors, and the experiences that have shaped their time at Graland.
Aaron Murray | Grade 6 Science
Mr. Aaron Murray’s path to Graland includes work as a wildlife biologist, zookeeper, environmental educator, and Peace Corps volunteer, later serving as a senior field instructor and director at Keystone Science School. After working with Graland students through outdoor programs in the early 2000s, he was drawn to the school’s community and approach to learning and later pursued a teaching position at Graland.
At Graland, Mr. Murray is known for the experiences he creates beyond the classroom, especially trips to the Colorado high country and Mesa Verde. These trips, filled with early morning campfires, the smell of bacon on the griddle, and time spent exploring the mountains, are among his favorite Graland memories and have become defining moments for many students.
His approach to teaching science focuses on helping students understand how their choices matter and how they can contribute to the world around them. Through both classroom learning and off-campus experiences, he encourages students to think about responsibility, empathy, respect, and citizenship.
Mr. Murray credits mentors, including Mitch Masters, Laurie Chandler, Jolene Collier, Ann DeBoe, Carrie VonderHaar, Ronni McCaffrey, and Andrean Andrus. Known for his flexibility, which he describes as his superpower, he brings an adaptable approach to both teaching and leading trips. Among his favorite Graland traditions are all of the trips, Knighting, Kindergarten Rodeo, service learning, and the Permanent Art Collection.
Julie O’Connor | Grade 3Mrs. Julie O’Connor began her career at Graland as a second-grade intern while completing her master’s degree in elementary education. With a background in child psychology and early work supporting children and families, she has spent the past 20 years developing a deep understanding of how students grow and learn.
Mrs. O’Connor is known for her thoughtful lesson planning, steady presence, and strong relationships with students, families, and colleagues. She describes teaching as a form of art, something that develops over time through experience and reflection.
One of the most meaningful parts of her work is seeing former students return years later, now confident young adults, and reflecting on how much they have grown. In the classroom, she values the small moments that bring a group together, including shared “inside jokes” that develop over the course of the year.
Early in her career, she was mentored by retired Graland educator Julie Stretz, who had a lasting influence on her work. She is known for creating a Lower School classroom where students feel supported and encouraged. One of her favorite Graland traditions is hiking Chief Mountain, a hike she has completed 20 times over the years.
Jessica Williams | Grade 2
Ms. Jessica Williams began her career in sports marketing before deciding to move into education, looking for work that felt more meaningful and connected to people. After making that change, she quickly found that teaching was the right fit.
Since joining Graland, Ms. Williams has taught across multiple grade levels, bringing energy, flexibility, and a strong sense of connection to her classroom. She describes her classroom as a family of 20 students, where each day brings new challenges, unexpected moments, and plenty of laughter.
Those moments are part of the everyday rhythm of Ms. Williams’ classroom, where you might hear things like, “Can everyone please stop meowing?” She embraces these small, often funny moments as part of what makes each day with her students both unpredictable and joyful.
Connection is at the center of her work. She describes it as her superpower, helping students feel seen, supported, and capable. Her goal is for students to leave her classroom knowing they were cared for and challenged to grow.
Ms. Williams credits the entire Graland community with shaping her as an educator. Over the past 20 years, Graland has been a constant in her life, a place where she has built lasting relationships and found both support and purpose. One of her favorite traditions is the Graland Carnival, a celebration that brings the school community together at the end of each year.
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
