Third Grade » Meet Our Teachers

Meet Our Teachers

Mrs. Diaz

My name is Sam Diaz, and I’m so excited to be your child’s 3rd grade teacher this year at Parker Core Knowledge! I live in Parker with my husband, Dan, and together we have a fun, busy blended family. Between the two of us, we have four amazing kids—Savannah (12), Reese (11), Elliot (9), and Quinn (8). Life at our house is full of energy, laughter, and a little bit of chaos (the good kind!).
 
Outside of school, I love reading, shopping, working out, and camping with my family. We have some property out in Elbert, and we spend a lot of weekends out there as we work toward building our dream barndominium. It’s a long-term project, but it’s something we’re building together.
 
This will be my first year as a classroom teacher at PCK, but I’ve been working in education for the past 16 years in a variety of roles. Most recently, I served as a Tier Two Interventionist here at PCK, supporting students in reading from kindergarten through upper elementary. I’ve also worked as a preschool teacher and have always had a passion for helping students grow in both skills and confidence.
 
I feel lucky to be part of the 3rd grade team and can’t wait to create a classroom where students feel safe, supported, and excited to learn. I’m looking forward to a great year together!
 
Favorites
 
Snacks / Food: Beef jerky or smart food popcorn
 
TV Show: Gilmore Girls
 
Colors: Green 
 
Favorite Drinks: Vintage Cola Olipop, Sugar free Redbull (pink) 
 
Starbucks: Iced oat milk brown sugar shaken espresso 
 
Vibe Foods:  Brain Booster Smoothie or Epic Remedy Smoothie
 
Stores: Target, Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Amazon, and Nordstrom
 
Dessert: Raspberry or Strawberry Cheesecake
 
Candy: Smartsweets Sweet fish and Sourmelon bites
 
Restaurants: Los Dos, Sierra and Homegrown Tap & Dough
 
Nail Place: Blue Sky Nails 
 
Flower: Peonies or any plant in general 🪴
Mrs. Hurt
 

Contact Information

Mrs. Sara Hurt

Email: [email protected]

Phone number: (303) 840-7070

 

Hello! My name is Sara Hurt, and I am 41 years young. I live in Parker, Colorado, with my husband, Austin, our three daughters—Isabella, Genevieve, and Nora—and our two dogs. My oldest daughter, Isabella, is a freshman at Texas Tech University and is very excited to start a new chapter. Evie, my middle daughter, will be a sophomore at Chaparral High School, and she has a passion for theater. Nora, my youngest, is excited to be starting second grade at PCK and loves gymnastics, soccer, and swimming! When I'm not at school, I enjoy being a mom, traveling, shopping, and spending quality time with family and friends.  

 

This will be my tenth year in education and my fourth year at PCK. After graduating from MSU Denver, I taught 1st and 2nd grade at an elementary school in Jefferson County Public Schools. I chose to teach closer to home to align my schedule with that of my daughters. As I began my journey as a Tier Two Interventionist at PCK, I had the wonderful opportunity to work with many students from Kindergarten to 7th grade, alongside the amazing staff at PCK.

 

I feel truly honored to be part of the 3rd grade team again, and I am very excited to be your child’s teacher for the 2025-2026 school year! I look forward to learning together with your child this year and supporting their growth as both students and valuable members of our community!

 

My Favorites

Snacks/Food: Popcorn, Shrimp Scampi, and queso & chips

Movie: Legally Blonde

Book: Anne of Green Gables

Colors: Pink and purple

Favorite Drinks: 

Starbucks: Iced Caramel Macchiato &  Hot Chai Tea Latte

Sonic: "Pink drink" (Sprite, cherry syrup, vanilla flavor, and sweet cream)

Chick-fil-A: Cherry Coke or Sweet Tea

Sports Team: Denver Broncos & Denver Nuggets

Stores: Target, Lululemon, Amazon, and Nordstrom

Dessert: Chocolate Cream Pie 

Candy: Peanut Butter M&M’s, Milk Duds, or Junior Mints

Restaurants: Yard House, Via Baci, and Texas Roadhouse

Nail Place: Magic Nails in Lone Tree

Flower: Peach Roses and Peonies
 

Mrs. Hurt's Homeroom Google Classroom : Code- qde276vb

 

Mrs. Hurt's Math Class Google Classroom : Code- esa77rsi
Mrs. O'Connell
 
Hello! My name is Mrs. O'Connell, and I'm thrilled to be teaching third grade this year. This marks my sixth year at PCK and my eleventh year in education. I'm looking forward to a successful and engaging year with my students.
 
I'm a Boston native who loves sports! My passion for teaching led me to earn a Master's Degree in Elementary Education in 2007. I taught first grade for five years before taking time off to raise my four children, Braden (15), Abby (14), Camden (11), and Declan (8). We moved to Colorado in 2014 and embrace the active lifestyle, enjoying skiing and hiking.

I'm so excited to meet my new class this August! In my classroom, we believe in working hard and having a great time. I always lead with love and positivity, and I can't wait to work with you to make this a wonderful year for your child.
 
Favorites
 
Snacks: Cheez-Its and chocolate covered almonds

Restaurants: Portofinos and Tokyo Joe's 

Activities: Skiing, barre classes, traveling and reading!

Stores: Amazon and Books Are Awesome