2025 Rural Superintendent Academy Cohort

The fifth cohort of Rural Superintendent Academy (RSA) Fellows includes superintendents and district and school leaders from districts across the state. These leaders will engage in focused convenings and field visits to establish a cohesive, relationship-based, professional network through which key leadership competencies are coached, experienced, and mastered. 

Jackie Anderson is the Executive Director of Teaching and Learning for Mesa County Valley School District 51, where she leads district-wide efforts in curriculum, instruction, professional learning, assessment, and college and career readiness. With over 20 years of experience in education, Jackie has served as a teacher, building administrator, and district director, leading efforts to align strategy with practice and elevate student outcomes across K–12 schools.

“As an RSA Fellow, I’m most looking forward to strengthening my skills as a systems-oriented leader and learning alongside others who are navigating the unique challenges and opportunities of rural districts. I’m excited to apply learning from RSA to the work I currently lead and to better understand how superintendents can drive coherence and momentum across complex rural systems.“

I have been in education for 33 years, serving as a teacher, coach, principal, consultant, vice president, and superintendent. Twenty-seven of those years have been with Trinidad School District #1. I am a graduate of Adams State University, earning my master’s in educational leadership and elementary education. I am the proud mother of twin daughters.

“I am looking forward to collaborating with Colorado leaders. Being new to the superintendency, I am eager to gain knowledge from my peers.”

Natalie Brown serves as the Executive Director of Santa Fe Trail Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), bringing over 20 years of experience in education across both rural and urban districts in Colorado. Her comprehensive background includes teaching roles in general education, gifted education, and special education, along with leadership positions in gifted education and culturally and linguistically diverse education. She also serves as the BOCES Gifted Education Director. In 2023, Natalie was recognized as Colorado’s Gifted and Talented Special Advocate of the Year, a testament to her unwavering commitment to educational equity and excellence.

“I am deeply honored to be part of this upcoming year’s Rural Superintendent Academy. As an RSA Fellow, I am most looking forward to deepening my leadership skills to more effectively support the unique needs of my rural districts. I am also eager to engage in meaningful collaboration and shared learning with fellow cohort members, knowing that the collective experience and insight will strengthen my ability to lead with purpose and impact.”

I have been an agriculture/vocational instructor at Sanford School District for the past 14 years. I decided to try my hand at superintendent, which I am very excited [about], but also very scared. I live in Sanford, Colorado with my beautiful wife and four awesome children.

“I am very excited to learn from other administrators and build relationships with each of them. I would like to have people who I can bring questions to and possibly discuss and vent about certain problems we are both encountering. I want to build a strong social network with these great people.”

Dylan is passionate about transforming educational systems with a vision for student achievement, innovation, and community collaboration. He thrives on creating world-class learning opportunities that prepare students for their future. He believes in breaking down silos, thinking boldly, and uniting stakeholders for a common vision.

“I am humbled by how much I don’t know, even after working as an educational leader for almost two decades. I look forward to learning from our Colorado veteran experts while connecting with my new colleagues who are also pursuing excellence in the superintendency.”

I am a Colorado native who has been in education for the past nineteen years. My passion for educating students began in the elementary classroom, leading to literacy coach and now administrator. It is my mission to ensure the students in my district get the very best education possible.

“I am most looking forward to networking and learning how to work with a board. I am also interested in learning more about school finance and becoming an effective leader in my district.”

Ande Davis brings 21 years of experience in public education, where she has served in a variety of roles. She is committed to supporting rural schools and passionate about providing rich, relevant, and engaging learning opportunities for students while also preparing them for post-secondary success. Ande believes consistent, creative, and collaborative leadership is essential to building thriving school communities.

“As an RSA fellow, I am most looking forward to learning alongside leaders who are passionate about rural education. I’m excited to explore new ideas and strategies that expand meaningful opportunities and post-secondary pathways for students in rural communities, while growing my own leadership through shared learning and collaboration.”

I am very excited to be a part of the Rural Superintendent Academy and to learn with others on their leadership journey. Since graduating from Adams State University, I have taken on multiple leadership roles in two districts and am grateful to return to Center Consolidated School District, where my professional journey began. Through the support of my wife and family, I look forward to building rural educational opportunities and advocating to the state on the unique needs of our communities.

“I am the most excited to build a network of support for myself and to engage with other like-minded educators who support rural families. [I am looking forward to] having the opportunity to spend time thinking and conversing with others as they build their craft and learn from their experiences. As a bonus, I get to hang out with George Welsh, who gave me my first professional opportunity in education. More than anything, [I’m looking forward to] beginning preparation for taking on the role of superintendent.”

I am excited to serve as the Superintendent for Sargent School District RE-33J. Growing up in North Park, as the son of educators, I have enjoyed my 18 years of being a teacher, coach, and administrator in rural Colorado. I previously served as the Director of Secondary Schools with the Brush School District and as a principal at Weld County School District No. RE-1. These experiences have given me an opportunity to work on developing CTE pathways, personalized learning, data-driven instruction, and the importance of a strong culture within your school system. My wife and I enjoy spending time outdoors and watching our two sons play sports.

“I am looking forward to developing a network of fellow superintendents to help develop ideas, answer questions, collaborate on multi-district partnerships, and enjoy a good laugh from time to time.”

I have called Colorado home since birth. I graduated high school in the Adams 12 school district, and I am twice a Buffalo and once a Lynx, having received my B.A., M.A., and Ed.D. from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and Denver, respectively. I am excited to join this cohort with colleagues from across the state. I hope to bring my experience to this process, having served in the school districts of Boulder Valley, Mapleton, Adams 14, Aurora Public Schools, and Pinnacle Charter School.

“I am excited for the opportunity to collaborate and learn alongside colleagues from across the state. This experience will allow me to grow professionally and enhance my ability to serve our communities more effectively. I’m especially looking forward to the wealth of knowledge and best practices that will be shared throughout this journey.”

David Judd is the Superintendent of Manzanola School District 3J. He brings 27 years of experience in educational leadership in rural Colorado districts. His diverse educational background includes service as a principal, athletic director, teacher, and coach. His core values of honor, duty, extreme ownership, servant leadership, and respect are the foundational pieces by which he creates educational environments where students and staff flourish.

“As an RSA Fellow, I am most excited about joining a dynamic professional learning network that celebrates the student-centered foundation of rural education while driving continuous growth and innovative solutions. The opportunity to collaborate with fellow rural superintendents from diverse backgrounds energizes me, as we share a common commitment to knowing every student by name and tailoring education to individual needs —something that larger districts often struggle to achieve. I’m particularly eager to explore how we can leverage our inherent advantages through innovative resource management, developing shared services, and regional partnerships that amplify the rich, personalized learning experiences rural schools naturally provide.”

Andy Lavier is the Superintendent of Weld County School District RE-9 (Highland) in Ault, Colorado. Prior to this role, he served as Assistant Director to the Superintendent in Center, Colorado, and was the principal of Alamosa High School for 10 years. A former social studies teacher and coach with nearly 30 years of experience, Andy is a lifelong rural educator dedicated to collaborative leadership, school improvement, and expanding opportunities for students in rural communities.

“I’m looking forward to collaborating with colleagues from rural schools from around the great state of Colorado, as well as learning from the wealth of knowledge and experience of the leaders and educators of the RSA.”

Tara Marquez is a dedicated Early Childhood Special Education Director with over a decade of experience serving children with disabilities and their families in the San Luis Valley. She holds a Master’s in Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Colorado Denver and a Principal Licensure Endorsement from Adams State University, bringing both classroom teaching experience and administrative leadership to her role at San Luis Valley Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES). Tara specializes in program development, Child Find identification processes, motor team management, and facilitating seamless transitions and services for students from birth through [age] 21.

“I am thrilled to join the Rural Superintendents Academy and connect with educational leaders who understand the unique challenges and opportunities of serving rural communities. Having spent my entire career in the San Luis Valley, I’m eager to learn from colleagues across Colorado who face similar issues around resource allocation, staff recruitment, and maintaining quality programming with smaller populations. I’m particularly excited to exchange innovative strategies for supporting students with diverse needs in rural settings and to gain fresh perspectives on collaborative approaches that can strengthen our educational systems. This opportunity to learn from seasoned superintendents/BOCES leaders and build a statewide network of rural education advocates feels invaluable as I continue growing in educational leadership.”

As a seasoned professional in education, I’ve consistently focused on expanding learning opportunities and designing innovative pathways for students, from classroom instruction to senior leadership. In my current role as Director of Applied and Advanced Learning for School District 49, I integrate career technical education, college-level, and work-based learning programs. My prior experience includes overseeing an Early College and Career Technical Education magnet school as principal and serving as a dean of students and technology/visual arts educator.

“I’m truly looking forward to the Rural Superintendents Academy because it offers a unique opportunity to reconnect with the profound sense of community and direct impact that first drew me to education. Having led a small high school, I deeply value the close-knit relationships with students and families and the unwavering support of a community dedicated to its schools. This academy represents a chance to further hone the skills needed to foster innovation in resource-lean environments and to contribute meaningfully to the unique strengths and needs of rural education systems across Colorado.”

I have dedicated 24 years to rural education throughout the San Luis Valley, including 13 years as a building-level administrator. I am passionate about ensuring that rural students have access to every available opportunity and am currently beginning my first year as Superintendent at Mountain Valley School in Saguache, Colorado. My extensive background in rural education leadership drives my commitment to advocating for equitable educational opportunities in underserved communities.

“I am most looking forward to tapping into the wealth of knowledge that all the participants and facilitators bring to the Rural Superintendent Academy. The networking opportunities with other rural superintendents will be invaluable, as I’m eager to learn from seasoned professionals who have navigated similar challenges and opportunities. I hope to gain practical insights and strategies on how to keep rural districts moving in the right direction, ensuring we continue to provide excellent educational opportunities for our students despite the unique obstacles that rural communities face. The collective wisdom and shared experiences within RSA will undoubtedly strengthen my ability to lead Mountain Valley School and serve our community effectively.”

Wesley Paxton brings over 30 years of experience in public education, having served in roles ranging from classroom teacher to principal to superintendent. He currently serves as Past President of the Colorado Association of Secondary School Principals and President of the Colorado Association of School Executives. Outside of education, Wes volunteers through the Conifer Rotary Club and enjoys outdoor adventures like skiing, hiking, and biking.

“As a Rural Superintendent Academy Fellow, I’m most looking forward to engaging in meaningful collaboration with colleagues who understand the unique opportunities and challenges facing rural districts. I’m eager to learn from experienced leaders, share innovative ideas, and explore strategies that can positively impact students, staff, and communities in rural settings. This fellowship offers a valuable opportunity to grow as a leader while strengthening the network of support for rural education across Colorado.”

Abby Pettinger is the Superintendent of Vilas School District RE‑5 in far Southeast Colorado. She leads the district with innovative and creative approaches to ensure students are prepared to succeed both within their community and beyond. A passionate advocate for rural education, Abby actively works to elevate the voices and needs of rural school districts.

“I’m most looking forward to collaborating with other innovative and passionate leaders to continue evolving how we deliver education in rural districts. Together, we can find creative solutions that truly meet the diverse needs of students across our state.”

I bring over 33 years of dedicated service to Dolores School District RE-4A, where I have served in multiple roles, including transportation, substitute teaching, preschool, and elementary education for 24 years. I currently serve in my second year as Superintendent of Schools. I hold degrees from Fort Lewis College (bachelor’s and principal licensure) and Adams State College (master’s). I have been instrumental in aligning the Pre-K-12th-grade curriculum and securing grants for student academic, mental, and physical wellness. I am currently involved in building a new high school, which is new and exciting for our community, students, and staff.

“I am most looking forward to the interaction with other superintendents in the state. I learn from others and will relish the opportunity to hear the great things others are doing in their districts to ensure our school is up-to-date and competitive academically.

I am also looking forward to the training that will be involved, as I am new to this position. There are many aspects of this position that I haven’t even developed, so expanding our district from my perspective is very exciting.

Board relations and training are always on my mind. This is an election year, so districts will be training new board members. This is particularly heavy on my mind as a new superintendent.”

My life’s work has been [serving] in rural schools as a math teacher for grades seven through 12 and as a coach for 15 years. For the past nine years, I have worked as a principal in grades seven through 12. This year will be my first year as Superintendent of the Julesburg School District RE-1.

“I am most looking forward to learning from experienced rural superintendents and connecting with new rural superintendents throughout the state of Colorado.”

Entering his tenth year as the principal at Cañon City High School, Bill Summers is recognized as a statewide advocate for innovation and progress. His participation in the 1215 committee and subsequent efforts have helped influence the politically driven change in both state postsecondary program funding and their associated impact on our accountability system. Cañon City High School was recently selected as one of 24 innovative high schools in the nation as part of the Carnegie Foundation’s Future of High School program.

“Learning. I am unsure about my future intention to become a superintendent. By attending the academy and learning from the directors and fellows, I want to influence that decision. Furthermore, all educators must be open to learning opportunities to continually advance their programs in the best interest of their students.”

With over 24 years of experience in education, I’ve served in various roles, including tutor, teacher, dean, assistant principal, principal, executive director, and chief operations officer. My experience spans K–12 education and legislative public policy, providing me with a broad understanding of the systems that impact students. Now, as superintendent of Sheridan School District No. 2, I remain passionate about teaching and committed to innovation, equity, and student-centered leadership. I believe in the power of public education to transform lives and communities.

“Although Sheridan School District is not geographically rural, it shares many of the same characteristics that define rural education systems: tight-knit communities, limited resources, staffing challenges, and the need for innovative, community-driven leadership. The Rural Superintendent Academy offers a unique opportunity to strengthen the skills necessary to lead in this type of environment.

By participating, I will gain access to a statewide network of similarly positioned leaders, deepen my ability to strategically engage our board and community, and refine our vision and accountability systems to better serve our students. This academy offers practical, equity-focused leadership development that closely aligns with Sheridan’s needs and priorities. Attending will not only support my growth as superintendent but also bring valuable insights and strategies back to our district, ensuring we continue to lead with purpose and build sustainable systems of success.”