I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. It is my sincere honor and pleasure to become a member of this amazing school community, and I feel privileged to serve as the principal of Fernan STEM Academy.

First, here is a little personal information about myself. I was born and raised in the small farming community of Jewell, Kansas. I met my husband while attending Bethany College. When we married, we settled down near his family in the Thornton, Colorado area (a suburb of Denver). This is where we lived for twenty-four years, prior to moving to CDA in July, 2015. We have one daughter, who graduated from CHS in 2020 and is attending the University of Idaho in pursuit of a degree in Ecological and Conservation Biology.

My professional career began in Adams Twelve Five Star Schools in Thornton, Colorado. I held the positions of elementary classroom teacher, reading interventionist, and academic coach during my twenty years with the district. In addition, I was the Primary Years Programme Coordinator for the International Baccalaureate program at Thornton Elementary School. When I relocated to CDA, I was fortunate to find a home at Atlas Elementary. I was a 0.5 Kindergarten teacher and 0.5 Assistant Principal my first year. With Atlas’ increased enrollment, I was able to become a full-time Assistant Principal before coming to Fernan.

Our community of parents and staff, who collaboratively work together each day for students, is the exemplary quality that attracted me to Fernan STEM Academy. This commitment to excellence, the passion for learning, and a child-centered approach to education are the cornerstones of my educational and leadership philosophies. Fernan has worked hard to create the dynamic school we are today. I am very excited to be a part of the Fernan family and am eager to work closely with everyone to provide the best possible educational experience for all.

My goal is to provide the leadership that will facilitate a school environment of continued collaboration, coaching, and support. This focus will allow staff and students to construct meaning and reach optimal levels of performance. In order for students to become productive and responsible members of a vastly changing society, they must know how to interact with one another and be able to make appropriate, informed decisions in a multitude of situations. Consequently, in an effort to empower students to be independent thinkers and productive citizens, Fernan will continue to create a safe, caring community in which all learners can thrive, feel accepted, and respectfully voice their opinions and thoughts. We maintain high expectations for students, utilize exemplary models, demonstrate compassion for children, strive to stay on top of current research and best practices and endeavor to be lifelong learners ourselves. It is apparent to me that the dedicated Fernan community believes in providing a safe and respectful environment in which all students can thrive both academically and socially. Through a close and collegial partnership with everyone associated with Fernan, I am confident we can continue to make our school an amazing place to learn and grow.

Relationships are the foundation of any true partnership. I look forward to getting to know each of you and your students, building relationships that breed success for everyone.

Respectfully,

Kathy R. Livingston