Paradise Place names popular teacher as director

Ben Poswalk, best known as Mr. Ben, has been appointed as the new director of Paradise Place Community Christian School.

Poswalk’s unanimous selection by the school’s governing committee earlier this month followed a three-month search. “We had three very well-qualified candidates,” said Annaliese Houseman, chair of the school committee. “However, Ben’s qualifications, his experience teaching here for the past two years, and his ideas for the future really set him apart,” she added.
Poswalk assumes the position vacated by the recent resignations of Jen Hillebrandt and Terry Clayton, the school’s two co-directors. Hillebrandt resigned to pursue other opportunities in early childhood education in Crested Butte, and Clayton, who will stay on until June 1, is looking forward to retirement.
A Colorado native, Poswalk holds a bachelor’s degree in K-12 education from Metro State as well as a bachelor’s in kinesiology from University of Colorado.
“I’m looking forward to fun and exciting new opportunities, personally,” he said, “and I am also looking forward to translating those opportunities in terms of early childhood education. With this Christian-based school, we have the chance to mold and create life-long learners among the youth of our community.”
Poswalk moved to Crested Butte two years ago with his wife, Hillary Moon—a Crested Butte native—and their two sons. “Paradise Place and my office are an open door to anyone in the community who wants to drop by to say ‘hi’ or to check us out,” he added.