Meet Our Staff Members
Jessica Beckman, Executive Director
In early 2003, Jessica Beckman joined Community Educational Outreach (CEO) a Colorado 501c3 that provides educational services to adults at risk of incarceration. Jessica enjoys working with adult learners and strongly supports the idea that education is a critical step in gaining and maintaining independence. While earning her BA in Social Science and BS in Business Administration, Jessica provided GED instruction to at-risk, adult students at a local community corrections facility. A GED graduate herself, Jessica is an excellent role model for GED students. In 2004, Jessica was promoted to Program Director and created two new programs, H.I.R.E. (Help, Information, and Resources for Employment) and S.K.I.L.L.S. (Strengthening Knowledge In Literacy and Life Skills) which assist offenders in the areas of employment readiness, literacy, computer and life skills. Jessica specializes in methods that target adult students who are completing sentences at community correctional facilities and is passionate about developing and implementing programs that support positive offender re-entry. In January of 2005, Jessica accepted the Executive Director position and, after securing additional funding, increased staff positions from one to four. Additionally, Jessica has maintained an active role on the Literacy Coalition of Jefferson County Board of Directors and has served as Program Chair, Chair Elect, and currently Chair. Jessica recently earned her Masters in Nonprofit Management at Regis University and hopes to continue making a difference in her community.
Alexandra Naday, Program Director
Alex was born and raised in Canada and moved to the US in her teenage years. After finishing a B.S. in Human Services at the Metropolitan State College of Denver she decided to risk it all and move off to New York City to pursue her Masters degree in Criminal Justice. She has spent many years researching prisons and working with offenders in different capacities. When she is not teaching somewhere you can find her with her family, on the slopes, watching the newest documentary, or compiling research for an upcoming project.
Eric Brown, Instructor
Eric Brown has lived in the community for several years and was familiar with ICCS and CEO prior to applying for a position as an instructor at CEO. Eric had seen friends and family become institutionalized to varying degrees and realized that this was primarily a combined effect of drug use and lack of education. The job announcement from CEO came to Eric through the job serve at the Graduate School of Public Affairs at the University of Colorado at Denver. The school focuses on pubic and non-profit management and provides resources to connect GSPA Alumni and local public and non-profit sector managers in order to fill vacancies with qualified individuals. Given Eric’s familiarity with CEO, the link between education and recidivism and previous non-profit experience Eric eagerly applied for the instructor position and was granted it. Eric also really enjoys referring to himself in the third person.
Clayton Pershing, Instructor
Clayton Pershing is an Instructor for Community Educational Outreach and Jefferson County’s Resource Education Community Center. Clayton is a big believer in education and he supports clients in second chance opportunities. Clayton provides instruction and support to students on parole, probation, or who are at risk of incarceration. Clayton helps students improve basic literacy skills, prepare for the GED test, search for employment, improve computer and life skills, transition into higher education, and locate community resources. Clayton is a qualified instructor, holding a lifetime teaching certificate with the State of Oklahoma, and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Education from Northwestern Oklahoma State University. Clayton spent seven years as a High School Teacher and Coach, which taught him the importance of providing a solid educational foundation to his students. Additionally, Clayton spent twenty five years in professional sales management and ownership of his own company. After selling his company in 2007, Clayton was compelled to return to the educational foundations he so believes in. His motto is his life guide. “Half of knowing what you want, is knowing what you have to give up to get it.”
Dory Dannettell, Instructor
As a long time business executive, Dory Dannettell brings a real life perspective to her teaching and educating with Community Educational Outreach. She began her career in the mortgage industry shortly after college. Always the educator, Dory ensured her first time homebuyer clients were well informed and well educated. Over the years, her passion for teaching others has brought many educational opportunities, including creating and instructing courses with Colorado Free University. Most recently, Dory took on the role of teacher and counselor while home-schooling her daughter through high school. Dory is currently completing her Literacy Instructor’s Authorization certificate. Her goal is to instill a love of learning into her student’s minds and hearts, and she believes that CEO is working to make that a reality in the lives of the students.
