2022 Rural Superintendent Academy Cohort

The second cohort of Rural Superintendent Academy (RSA) Fellows includes superintendents and principals from an array of 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. 

Elizabeth Bauer has held many roles at the middle and high school level, including secondary English teacher, principal, athletic director, and newly announced superintendent of West Grand School District 1-JT. Elizabeth’s 14+ years of experience are rooted in the vision of providing all students the best opportunities to grow, learn, and discover.

Derek Burnside has been a secondary social studies teacher, high school level administrator, dean of students, athletic director, and a middle-high school principal. This upcoming 2022-2023 school year will be his first as a superintendent, leading in Peyton School District 23. Derek’s passion is with rural education and believes the most dynamic educators can be found in rural settings.

Marsha Cody is entering her fourth year as a rural system leader with experience as a teacher, central office leader, and superintendent of schools. She has a strong history of working with “incredible risk-takers who have advanced public education toward better results.”

Jackie Crabtree grew up in rural settings, leading to her life-long commitment to rural education. She graduated from the University of Southern Colorado at Pueblo with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and earned her master’s in education leadership from Adam’s State University. Jackie has been a teacher, a principal, a director of academic affairs, and a superintendent of schools. She will begin new duties as the Custer County School District system leader in summer 2022. 

Elizabeth Domangue started as a special education teacher and has served in a wide variety of school leadership roles, presently as superintendent of Manitou Springs School District. Elizabeth takes her role as a rural school system leader with urgent stride, knowing that each child in her district only has one opportunity to receive the support they need.

Brian Duwe presently serves as principal at North Middle School in Aurora School District. Having grown up in a rural background, he understands what it takes to attract a good team of educators to a small town. He is dedicated to ensuring students in the school system are given the opportunities to grow and thrive at the things they are most passionate about.v

Diana Jones comes from an educational background that truly encompasses everything it takes to run a school. From operations and transportation to 16 years as an elementary school administrator, she is now taking her career from Oklahoma to Alamosa School District to serve as superintendent. One of Diana’s many strengths as a rural system leader is the ability to see the greater vision and break it down into actionable steps for her team.

Kevin Jones grew up in Alamosa, Colorado and comes from a family of educators. He has served as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, and principal in Center, Colorado since 1998. Mr. Jones was named Colorado High School Principal of the Year in 2014 on the strength of increased graduation rates, decreased dropout rates, high student growth on state assessments, and an incredible increase of students engaging in postsecondary learning after graduating.

Tod Lokey grew up in western Colorado and is now serving as superintendent and high school principal in Ouray School District R-1. After spending time working for the BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services) in Colorado, he has been able to see how rural communities can work together to build more opportunities for students. Clear communication and a collaborative leadership style have given him success as a rural education leader.

Kimba Rael has spent much of her career teaching in the San Luis Valley, currently as PreK-12 principal in Centennial School District R-1. Kimba is a firm believer that opportunity must be available to all students, and she seeks to support students with high-quality instruction, access to internships and work-based learning, and a system that elevates their experience.

Dr. Jesús Rodrigúez will become superintendent of schools in the Roaring Fork School District in summer 2022. A Colorado native, he most recently served as the chief academic officer for the Dallas Independent School District. Dr. Rodrigúez holds degrees from three Colorado higher education institutions, including a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Denver and a master’s in educational equity and cultural diversity from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Rodríguez is an educational product of Weld RE3-J and 27J school districts in Hudson and Brighton. He led CU-Boulder’s BUENO Center for Multicultural Education, served as principal of Trevista at Horace Mann, and as an instructional superintendent for Denver Public Schools. 

Amy Ward has worked in small rural education systems for 25 years, moving from one leadership role to the next. Beyond leading a strong K-12 school as principal, she prides herself in knowing her community and enriching it while building school partnerships with community organizations. Amy is serving as superintendent of North Park School District.