School Leadership
2019-20

RENEE NICOTHODES
CHIEF of SCHOOLs - ELEMENTARY

Over the course of her 26-year career in education, Renee has served as elementary director of curriculum and instruction, principal supervisor, principal, instructional coach, and classroom teacher. Renee holds a Master of Arts in Education and a reading specialist credential from San Diego State University. Renee has a passion for working with at-risk student populations and advocating for equity and excellence in educational systems. 

School Leadership Organizational Chart

KRISTOPHER SCHUH
Deputy Superintendent
CHIEF of SCHOOLs - SECONDARY

Community Superintendents

SCOTT ALLENSWORTH

Scott has worked in public education for 25 years. Prior to joining the School Leadership Team, he was a school administrator for 13 years at both the high school and middle school levels. He enjoyed teaching before he went into school administration. Scott graduated from New Mexico State University with teaching credentials and has continued his education, earning a master's degree in instruction, then obtaining his administration licensure. Scott has a passion for making the best decisions for students so they succeed academically and socially. He supports his schools with a system perspective and encourages them to be innovators in education.

For 2019-20, Scott oversees middle and high schools in the  Chatfield, Dakota Ridge, Golden, and Wheat Ridge articulation areas, as well as The Manning School.

MARCIA ANKER

Teaching, leading, and learning have been Marcia’s career for over 40 years. Moving from a small Iowa farming community to attend the University of Northern Colorado, she graduated with an elementary and middle school education undergraduate degree followed by a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She served ten years as a teacher of elementary and middle school students. After completing administrative licensure coursework at Colorado State University, she has worked in multiple administrative positions in Jefferson County Schools including principal, Community Superintendent, and Chief of Schools. She is looking forward to working closely with her schools’ leadership teams to make a positive impact on student learning. She is most proud of her two daughters both of whom are Jefferson County School graduates. 

brenda carlson

Brenda has worked in public education for 36 years in Colorado and Wyoming. Prior to joining the School Leadership Team, she was a community superintendent, a principal for 19 years, and a classroom teacher for 11 years. Brenda holds degrees from the University of Wyoming and the University of Southern Mississippi. She believes success is not accidental. She is a proven, motivated, energetic, and experienced leader. Her goal is to always find the heart of the hero in the educators she works with to ensure principals, teachers, and students are challenged every day to be the best they can be.

For 2019-20, Brenda oversees elementary schools in the Golden and Wheat Ridge articulation areas, as well as Miller Special School.

DAN COHAN

Dan has worked in education for over 30 years. During his tenure he has served as community superintendent, executive director, principal, assistant principal and math teacher at the middle and high school levels. As principal of Pomona High School, Dan led his staff in implementing a highly effective Professional Learning Community and Response to Intervention model. He believes deeply in Graduation with Choices for every student and works to develop strong principal and teacher leaders committed to this purpose.  Dan earned a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics and teacher certification from the University of Colorado, Boulder. He earned a master's in administration, supervision, and curriculum development from the University of Colorado, Denver

For 2019-20, Dan oversees middle and high schools in the Bear Creek, Columbine, Conifer, and Evergreen articulation areas, as well as McLain High School, Longview High School,  and D'Evelyn Jr./Sr. High.

lee cooper

Lee is starting his 24th year in education and 2nd as a member of the Jeffco team.  He has worked as a Community/Instructional Superintendent for the past six years.  He has a Masters  in Education with an emphasis in Global Education from the University of Denver and a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and Marketing.  Lee has served as a school leader in Title I, K-8, Montessori, and traditional settings.  Lee is passionate about equity, opportunity and high levels of success for all students.  


For 2019-2020, Lee oversees elementary schools in the Jefferson, Lakewood, Dakota Ridge articulation areas as well as Foster K-8 in the Arvada articulation area.

BETH ELMGREEN

Beth has worked in education for over 20 years. Prior to joining the School Leadership Team, Beth was the principal at Bergen Valley Elementary School. Beth has been a classroom teacher, special education instructor, and an instructional coach. 

For 2019-20, Beth oversees elementary schools in the Ralston Valley and Standley Lake articulation areas, as well as Fairmount Elementary and Vanderhoof Elementary.

ERIC EVERDING

Eric has worked in education for 23 years. Prior to joining the school leadership team, Eric was a principal, assistant principal, counselor, and English teacher in our district. He has also worked in Jeffco’s assessment department and in the community superintendents’ office as an executive director of school management. Eric is a proud graduate of Jeffco Public Schools, having attended Allendale Elementary, Drake Middle, and Arvada West High. He comes from a family of educators and is strong advocate for the students in our public school system.

For 2019-20, Eric oversees middle and high schools in the  Arvada West, Green Mountain, Lakewood, Ralston Valley, and Standley Lake articulation areas.

MARCella HOEFNER

Recognized as an accomplished instructional leader throughout our district, Marcella has been in public education for 25 years. Prior to joining the School Leadership Team, she served as the Director of Early Childhood Education for Jeffco. Over the span of her career, Marcella has worked as a principal, assistant principal, instructional coach and classroom teacher at the elementary and middle school level. She is passionate about instruction that impacts our earliest learners, authentic learning opportunities for every student, and creating learning environments that foster curiosity, creativity, and risk taking. Marcella graduated from Pittsburg State University with a Bachelor's in Applied Science in Elementary Education and has earned a Master’s in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of Phoenix.

For 2019-20, Marcy oversees elementary schools in the Bear Creek, Chatfield, and Dakota Ridge articulation areas.

Tom mcmillen

Tom McMillen is Community Superintendent for Charter Schools in Jefferson County, Colorado, a position he has held since July of 2018. Prior to joining Jeffco, Tom was Director of Choice Programming in Douglas County, Colorado, working with charters, open enrollment, and truancy for the district. 

Before joining Douglas County, Tom was Director of Quality Assurance at the Colorado Charter School Institute.
Tom graduated from the University of Denver College of Law with a Juris Doctorate degree and from Colorado State University 
with a BA. Tom lives in Lakewood, CO with his wife Peg. Tom and Peg have four grown children, all of whom attended Jeffco charter and neighborhood schools.

aMANDA PIERORAZIO

Amanda has worked for Jefferson County Public Schools for 15 years. Prior to joining the School Leadership Team, she served as the principal of Coronado Elementary for five years and Weber Elementary for 1 year. She was also an assistant principal at Chatfield Senior High, Powderhorn Elementary and Summit Ridge Middle School. Amanda taught Spanish and French at Chatfield for six years. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish with minors in French and educational computing from Iowa State University and also holds a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Colorado Christian University and principal licensure from the University of Colorado-Denver. Amanda is a servant leader who believes in the value of relationships and positive partnerships in order to support all students in achieving success. 

For 2019-20, Amanda oversees elementary schools in the Columbine, Conifer and Evergreen articulation areas as well as Dennison Elementary

CELESTE SULTZE

Celeste has worked in education for over 20 years. Prior to joining the School Leadership Team, Celeste was principal at Edgewater Elementary and an assistant principal at the high school and middle school levels. She is passionate about providing the best educational experiences for ALL students.

For 2019-20, Celeste oversees elementary schools in the Arvada, Arvada West and Pomona articulation areas.

MATT WALSH

David weiss

David has worked in public education for 18 years. Prior to joining the School Leadership Team, he served as the principal of Westgate Elementary school for five years, and as a high school assistant principal for 4 years before that. David also taught middle school math and science for 8 years. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Youngstown State University and also holds a Masters of Business Administration and a Specialist License in School Leadership from the University of Denver. David is a learner who is passionate about innovation, equity and opportunity for all students who walk our hallways.

For 2019-20, David oversees elementary schools in the Alameda and Green Mountain articulations.