Colorado Department of Education

April 7-11 is Assistant Principal's Week and we're celebrating Mr. Hazael Román-Lagunas from Munroe Elementary School in Denver Public Schools. Hazael is the Colorado Association of School Executives 2025 Outstanding Assistant Elementary School Principal of the Year. He says he was "born to do this job," and it shows in everything he does—from uplifting students daily to driving positive change to the southwest Denver community. Congratulations Hazael!

Are you a behind-the-scenes powerhouse who loves making things run smoothly? We're hiring an Education Talent Program Assistant. This team is the engine that keeps everything moving: leading projects, refining systems, managing budgets, grants, procurement, and more. If you thrive on structure, strategy, and supporting teams that directly impact educators and local education agencies, we want to hear from you! We're looking for someone who: ✔️ Has a knack for project and program management ✔️ Loves improving processes and driving efficiency ✔️ Finds joy in building sustainable operational systems ✔️ Is passionate about making a real impact, especially behind the scenes Apply now: https://lnkd.in/gatsaWD2

It's Assistant Principal's Week and we're highlighting Colorado Association of School Executives' 2025 Middle Level Assistant Principal of the Year, Dr. Nicole Paxton from Mountain Vista Community School in Harrison School District 2. Nicole says she is honored to serve the community she grew up in by initiating community partnerships like career fairs and a Mathapoloza carnival. But her favorite thing is spending time in the classroom supporting students to learn and thrive. Congratulations Nicole!

It's time for a takeover! We're excited to announce that Widefield School District 3 will be taking over our Facebook and Instagram pages on Thursday, April 24. Save the date for an awesome day from inside Widefield!

For What's Up Wednesday, our District Improvement Strategy department led a Principal Leadership Community Walk Through at Sierra Grande School District R-30. Principals and superintendents from across San Luis Valley BOCES conducted a walk through in the K-12 school. They gathered together to provide feedback, share strategies, and collaborate. Opportunities like this occur throughout the year and are invaluable, especially to rural districts that are unable to gather on regular basis.

Are you passionate about education and driven by a desire to help others succeed? We’re looking for a Customer Service Representative to join our team and make a meaningful difference in the lives of educators. In this role, you’ll be the first point of contact for teachers and education professionals, guiding them through the application and renewal process for their credentials. You’ll provide clear, compassionate support as they navigate complex licensing requirements and offer calm, steady guidance during moments that can be stressful or overwhelming. We’re looking for someone who’s both detail-oriented and empathetic. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, take pride in problem-solving, and genuinely care about the people you serve, we’d love to connect. Apply here: https://lnkd.in/gEzvBTgb

Our (early) celebration of Public Service Recognition Week continues with Investigator Manuel Olmos who works in our Educator Talent team and has been with us for six years. Manuel actually retired from a career as a federal criminal investigator, but he decided he wasn't done working yet! With his deep experience in investigations, he found the perfect fit at the Colorado Department of Education. As a compliance investigator, Manuel plays a critical role in ensuring the safety of Colorado’s schools. He reviews the backgrounds of applicants and current credential holders to make sure educators meet the requirements for Colorado licensure.

For Teacher Tuesday, we want you to meet Roaring Fork School District teacher Katie Houchin who teaches STEM at Basalt Elementary School! She has been a teacher for 16 years (15 in Spanish!) and is all about heart, energy, and creativity in the classroom. Katie lives for those “aha!” moments when her students feel proud and accomplished. She’s a mentor, leader, and advocate, always lifting kids up and showing them they matter. Beyond teaching, Katie enjoys skiing, mountain biking, cooking, traveling, volunteering with Aspen Eagles Club, and spending quality time with her partner Mike, their dog, and a close circle of friends and family—often around a good meal.

Are you passionate about using data to drive decisions? Thrive on bringing structure to complexity? Skilled at implementing data governance frameworks to increase efficiency and impact? We're seeking a Director of Data Governance to lead the development and implementation of our agency-wide data governance strategy. Reporting to the Chief Information Officer, this leader will guide cross-departmental collaboration to ensure CDE’s data is accurate, secure, ethical, and aligned with state and federal regulations. Apply here: https://lnkd.in/gpsnmbep

There are so many reasons to apply for 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year but swipe through the photos to see five compelling ones. Apply by Wednesday, April 23: cdeinfo.org/2026CTOY