2023 Rural Superintendent Academy Cohort

The third 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. 

Dr. Bonnie Aaron is entering her sixth year as Superintendent of Trinidad School District 1. She brings prior experience from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, as well as superintendencies in rural Missouri. Dr. Aaron’s mission is to serve students in rural areas of Colorado and advocate for quality services and exceptional opportunities.

Shauna Branch has 30 years of experience working in small, rural school districts, mostly in New Mexico, and has held a variety of positions including special education teacher (K-12), truancy officer, coordinator of student supports, principal, and principals coach, and has had a variety of district responsibilities. She retired from New Mexico and moved to Colorado, where she is learning about education in Colorado and loving life as the Principal of Ignacio Elementary School. Over her career, she has turned around five schools in rural, low-income areas and aspires to take her experience and skill set to the district level, and beyond.

Karen Cheser, Ed.D., is the proud Superintendent of Durango School District and was previously Superintendent of FT Thomas Schools in Kentucky. Prior to working in several positions in education (teacher, coach, literacy and math specialist, principal, state Distinguished Educator and district administrator), Karen worked for Procter & Gamble Inc. Karen is a member of the 2022-23 Colorado Governor’s Fellowship, chairs the SW Colorado Education Collaborative and is Vice President of the Durango Chamber of Commerce. She has been instrumental in bringing innovation, student agency, and a focus on future workforce to schools and communities.

I am proud to say that I have been in education for more than 30 years, including experience in grade levels across K-12, postsecondary, and administration. For the past four years, I have been the secondary principal. In the 2023-24 school year, I will serve as principal for K-12. My passion is encouraging, supporting, and assisting in the academic and personal growth and development of all students and staff.

Christian De La Oliva has more than 20 years of experience as an educator. He has served in different capacities, from a paraprofessional, teacher, assistant principal, principal and most recently as an executive leadership coach at the San Diego County Office of Education. He has a track record of improving student achievement in a variety of school settings, building the capacity of staff to provide high-quality instructional programs, and providing equitable access and opportunities for historically underserved students. In the 2023-24 school year, Christian will be leading Chávez/Huerta K-12 Preparatory Academy as their new President/CEO.

I am thrilled to begin serving the Manitou Springs School District 14 community as the new Superintendent of Schools. I was drawn to the rich traditions and small-town atmosphere of Manitou Springs and its surrounding communities. As a parent of twins entering ninth grade, I am invested in providing students with a great place to learn. Moreover, I endeavor to foster an amazing workplace for staff and support schools that parents are proud to send their students to daily.

For nearly 20 years, I have held multiple roles in public education in Bayfield, Colorado, including classroom teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal, and assistant superintendent. I am excited to collaborate with other rural educational leaders as part of the Rural Superintendent Academy. In my free time, I enjoy exploring the mountains and rivers of the southwest with my wife and two teenage daughters.

Joshua Lopez grew up in a rural setting and served in the U.S. Air Force for over 21 years. Upon retiring from active duty, he has held roles at the elementary and secondary levels as a wrestling coach, behavior interventionist, federal and state administrative assistant, athletic director, and newly announced Superintendent of South Conejos School District RE-10. He is deeply committed to educational equity and believes in the power of public education to make a lasting impact on the lives of students, families, and the community.

Larry Lyder grew up and spent his educational career, including as a high school agriculture teacher, principal, and superintendent, in Kansas until the 2022-23 school year when he moved to Swink, Colorado. He currently serves as the Superintendent for Swink School District #33. Mr. Lyder attended a small rural school with only 12 students in his graduating class and has been an educator in similar school settings. He understands the importance of small rural schools and the opportunities that they provide students.

I am a San Luis Valley Native. I have been a Spanish teacher, school counselor, elementary principal, and I am now starting my first year as the Sanford School District Superintendent. I am excited to network with people that have vast experience in education and leadership. I am also excited to work with people that are in a similar boat.

Nicole Neufeld currently serves as Principal at Center High School in the Center Consolidated School District. She has spent her career teaching elementary and secondary special education in addition to serving as the Associate Director of the Early Childhood Council of the San Luis Valley. Nicole’s passion is recognizing and supporting the resilience of families in her community.

Since 2011, I have served as the Superintendent of Rocky Ford School District. Prior to that, I was an elementary principal in Lamar, a math and science teacher in Aurora, and a high school math teacher in Sargent. I have a doctorate in education, a master’s degree in secondary education and math, a bachelor’s degree in math and Spanish, and certificates for principal and superintendent. I have been involved with successful turnaround efforts at both the school and district levels. In my spare time, I enjoy running marathons, competing in triathlons, and reading anything related to education or fantasy/science fiction.

Margarita Tovar is the current Chief Talent Officer at the Summit School District, where she serves as the district’s lead visionary for the human capital pipelines and systems. Her career began in 2010 as a teaching assistant in the Houston area, and in 2017, she became the youngest principal leading a turnaround school. Margarita is committed to achieving excellence in student outcomes through equitable adult inputs.

I am very honored and feel privileged to be associated with the 2023-24 RSA Cohort. I am a strong advocate for public education, as well as a 30-year educator who thrives on developing others and creating systems that are beneficial to kids, staff, and communities.