My First Year: Reflections and Advice

When I moved to Denver in May 2024, I was both excited and nervous to join the Colorado Academy community. In addition to taking on a new role at CA that hadn’t existed before, I was going to be a new CA parent, and we didn’t have any relatives or close friends in the area. 

Moving to a new city or state can be challenging, and changing jobs and schools certainly adds to the stress. Between new car registration and driver's licenses, new doctors and dentists, it can feel like a never-ending “to-do” list. For the first time, I found myself pondering “Who is my emergency contact?” and hoping that I’d figure that out before a true emergency emerged. 

Luckily for me, CA’s community is all about welcoming new Mustangs into the fold, and Denver has proven to be a perfect blend of all the places that led me here (Vermont, California, Texas). Between CA’s host families, cordial parents, and my new wonderful colleagues, it did not take long for me and my family to feel comfortable in our new home state. 

I learned quickly that CA’s mission to educate curious, kind, courageous, and adventurous learners and leaders is something the community leans into day in and day out. Parents, colleagues, trustees, and students approached me with kindness and curiosity when I arrived, wanting to learn about where I moved from and the educational and professional experiences that led me to join CA. They also welcomed me genuinely and generously, expressing appreciation for both me as a person and for the work and support that my role could bring to the CA community. 

I witnessed courage and adventure early on, too. Our faculty and staff mini-Interims during opening meetings, the Senior CLT retreat in Leadville, and the fall Kindergarten campout all gave me a taste of CA’s commitment to adventure. This became even more apparent, as I watched my child head out on the Eighth Grade camping trip in October and then again as he camped and rafted down Horsethief Canyon during Interim. I relished hearing his reflections and observing the self-awareness he gained from his time in nature. I also witnessed this growth in other students, as I watched the Eighth Graders on my own Interim trip lean into the physical and mental challenges of our week in Moab.

As parents, the values of CA’s mission were instrumental in our choosing CA for our child. I knew of CA’s outstanding academic reputation and wanted a school that would match the rigor of the school at which he was then enrolled. I was moved that kindness is one of four values in the mission, as I wanted a community that would support him and help him grow into his best self. I was also particularly excited by the promise of what CA’s commitment to courage and outdoor adventure might bring. Having spent 13 years working at a Bay Area school deeply rooted in outdoor education, I had seen firsthand the growth, maturity, grit, and self-awareness it teaches students.

Last year my goals were to get to know the CA community and to focus on culture & community work. This year I’ll be digging in more around Pre-K–12 alignment, with a strong focus on the student experience and well-being. I’ll also be exploring what “adventure” means at CA and working to expand how we integrate community service into CA’s program.

My advice to new CA families—whether you’re Denver natives or new to the area—is the following:

1. Get to know your child’s homeroom teacher or Advisor. This person is your primary connection to your child’s academic experience and should be your first point of contact if a concern should arise.
2. Get involved on campus—make the most of the vibrant options offered throughout the year, whether it’s Homecoming, SPEAK lectures, the Taste of CA, or the Parent Book Club. There are countless events we put on as a school (Parent Association, athletics competitions, arts performances and festivals, etc.), and they can be a great way to appreciate the CA Pre-K–12 experience. There really is something for everyone.
3. Connect with CA families in your neighborhood. There is a feature called “My Way To Go” where you can see other CA families in your area. This can be helpful for carpooling, as well as student/parent connections.

Now that I’m in my second year at CA, I have to say that it feels great to not be “new” (and to know who my emergency contact is!). That said, last year is still very fresh in my rearview mirror, and I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who welcomed me and my family to CA and the Denver area. To all new CA families, welcome to the Mustang family—I look forward to getting to know you over the course of the year!