New Administrators in Adams 14

On Friday, July 1, the Board of Education approved the appointment of Shelli Robins as the interim principal of Adams City High School. Ms. Robins has been a celebrated member of the Adams 14 administrative team since 2008, when she joined the ACHS staff to serve as assistant principal and athletic director.

In 2009, Ms. Robins became principal of Kearney Middle School, where she cultivated a positive school climate and promoted schoolwide efforts to improve student achievement. During her tenure as KMS principal, the school was named a Center of Excellence Award recipient by Colorado Commissioner of Education Dwight Jones. The awards are distributed annually to those schools that demonstrate the highest rates of student longitudinal academic growth and enroll a student population that is at least seventy-five percent at-risk.

Understanding the importance of collaboration in improving student outcomes is among Ms. Robins’ strong suits. She has an open door policy and strives to build strong relationships with each staff member, listening to thoughts, concerns, positive experiences and suggestions. Her track record of successfully supporting teachers through thoughtful dialogue, coaching and professional interactions will be a tremendous asset at ACHS.

Ms. Robins has made student success her top priority, and she believes that public schools exist to educate students academically and socially. She is hopeful that all ACHS students graduate with the skills required to be successful.

Adams 14 is confident that Ms. Robins will lead Adams City High School forward, and the District officially welcomes her as interim ACHS principal.

Also approved were two new administrative hires and two interim administrative appointments.

Hailing from Aurora Public Schools, Gateway High School Assistant Principal/Athletic Direcor Robert Jefferson is joining the Adams City High School team as the assistant principal/athletic director. Mr. Jefferson has broad experience, both as an athletic director and instructional leader. He has led staff professional development, supervised Gateway’s special education programs, managed a comprehensive and competitive athletics program, and developed schoolwide emergency and evacuation plans. His vast experience will be a great contribution to Adams City High School.

The new Kearney Middle School assistant principal is Cristina Costas. Ms. Costas comes to Adams 14 from Academy School District 20 in Colorado Springs, where she has served as International Baccalaureate (IB) world language department chair and Spanish teacher at Mountain Ridge Middle School for seven years. She brings vast knowledge and understanding of curriculum and instruction, assessment, data use and the IB program to Adams 14. Ms. Costas has a genuine passion for serving kids, and her experience as a bilingual educator will prove an asset to the KMS staff and community.

Upon Shelli Robins appointment as the interim ACHS principal (see attached email for the formal announcement), the District made two additional interim appointments. First, Kathy Heronema, current Dupont Elementary principal and long time Kearney Middle School staff member, will take the reigns as interim principal of KMS. Ms. Heronema is thrilled to return to Kearney and feels like she has been training for this position for her entire career. During her 34 years in Adams 14, she has served many capacities: teacher (Central and KMS), learning coordinator (Central), dean and assistant principal (KMS) and principal (Dupont). She is committed to supporting students, staff and parents to promote continued academic growth at KMS.

As Ms. Heronema returns to KMS, Lea Mitchell will be the interim principal of Dupont Elementary School. Ms. Mitchell is the current assistant principal at Dupont, and she is excited to have the opportunity to continue the great work already achieved with Dupont staff, students and parents. With students as the center of her work, Ms. Mitchell is committed to the path that Dupont staff has established as a team; and she looks forward to implementing the school’s plan to increase student achievement.

It is an exciting time in the District as we all prepare for the 2011-12 school year. Shelli Robins, Robert Jefferson, Cristina Costas, Kathy Heronema and Lea Mitchell, congratulations on your administrative appointments in Adams 14!