To Empower, to Explore, to Encourage, to Excel in Education
Mountaineers
The Mountaineer Team is one of three eighth-grade teams here at Rocky Heights Middle School. We are a four-person team that includes Language Arts, Social Studies, Health/Wellness, and Science. As dedicated and passionate educators, we are excited to get to know your students and to help them develop all the necessary skills they will need for their high school careers.
Please see the link below to access our Team Newsletter (link). It will provide updates and special announcements for all team classes. It is updated each week.
Daily classroom information, including calendars and course information, can be found on each subject’s Google Classroom.
Hello! My name is Dominique Bayona, and this is my 10th year teaching. My husband is also a teacher here, and we have 1 son together. We are fairly new to Colorado, having relocated from Austin, TX, last year. I have a BA in Communication and a Master's in Education. I completed a Fulbright Scholarship in the Czech Republic. I’m excited for what the 25-26 school year has in store!
My preferred method of communication is email: dbayona@dcsdk12.org. I check my email periodically throughout the work day and will respond within 24 hours.
Our team’s weekly newsletter and my Google Classroom will be our go-to spots for resources and information.
I am an 8th-grade science teacher. I have been a teacher at RHMS since 2024, after teaching in Georgia for a few years. Before teaching, I did plant physiology research and completed both a Master’s of Natural Resources from the University of Georgia and a MAT in middle grades education. I also completed a B.S. in Biology at High Point University. I enjoy learning about all aspects of science and am excited to teach more students about it.
Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my husband and dogs as well as horseback riding, reading, and playing music.
The best way to contact me is through email (slochmiller@dcsdk12.org). I check my email regularly during the school day. If an email is sent after school hours or on the weekend, I will likely get back to you during the next school day.
I use Google Classroom for all of my classes and post a daily update in the stream. This includes a run-down of what is being covered in class, as well as relevant documents that can be used for makeup work if a student misses class.
My name is Stephanie Mills, and I have been teaching eighth-grade social studies since 2017 here at Rocky Heights. Formerly, I taught middle school social studies in my home state of West Virginia before relocating to the Denver metro area with my husband and son in 2017.
As an educator with two decades of teaching under my belt, I take pride in the fact that the bulk of my teaching career has taken place in a middle school setting.
I love the curiosity, unabashed honesty, and energy of this age group, and what keeps me coming back year to year. I can honestly say that I am never bored!
Outside of school, besides spending time with my family, I enjoy road biking and ballroom dancing. I try to get out and enjoy our beautiful state, and I am particularly fond of Crested Butte as well as the western slope.
I am devoted to our three dogs and one petulant cat, and when not occupied by them, I spend my time reading and attempting to bake at this altitude.
The best way to reach me is through e-mail. My policy is to return emails within a 24-hour period. Please note that there is another Stephanie Mills in our district, so if you don’t get a response, it is likely you sent your email to her.
All important information pertaining to my class can be found via your student’s Google Classroom, which they can share with you. Additionally, I will post a weekly calendar to our team newsletter, which will include an overview of each day, upcoming due dates, etc.
Google Classroom/ Weekly Calendar and Team Newsletters are the best ways to access information.
I am Mr. Pearce! I am a first-year Wellness teacher here at Rocky Heights, and I am super excited for this school year! I am originally from Wisconsin, and attended the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Physical, Health & Adapted Education, and also was a member of the Football and Track & Field team.
