Last week Superintendent Don Haddad received the Colbert Cushing Award for 2024. Typically the award is bestowed upon an individual, however, Haddad the success belongs to the district, not a single person.
The Colorado Association of Superintendents/Senior Administrators — a department of the Colorado Association of School Executives, or CASE — awarded Haddad with the Colbert Cushing Award over the summer. The award recognizes individuals who have made an outstanding contribution and/or service to education on a national level. The award is the highest recognition CASE bestows each year.
Now in his 17th year as superintendent of the St. Vrain Valley School District, Haddad said the recognition really belongs to then entire SVVSD community, from the students and teachers to the staff working behind the scenes.
Over the years SVVSD has developed many programs to support students both within and outside the district. It created a P-TEACH program to grow a new generation of teachers. It developed an AGILE program that allows students from rural schools to attend advanced placement or other classes not available to them in their districts. It has led the way to create over 20 pieces of legislative initiatives to better support public education across the state including an accreditation system that looks how schools are actually doing.
Haddad habitually reminds the community that public education is one of the most important drivers to a successful community as over 90% of children in the country attend public schools. By developing stronger schools, education can drive a stronger economy, increase public safety, create a better workforce pipeline and connect to the business community, he said. All of these build on each other to create a society for everyone.
“The significance of all this coming together is not just Don’s leadership but it is to lift up public education as a whole,” said Dr. Kerri McDermid, chief communications and global impact officer.
None of the work would be possible without SVVSD’s team which has become a group of education leaders sought after by districts across the country, Haddad said. For example Joe McGreen is a leader in quantum computing, Diane Lauer champions P-TEACH, Jackie Kapushion is an authority on how to grow student’s learning pathways, the fiance team has received esteemed awards for their ability to mange the districts funds, Brian Lamer is an expert on how to build and maintain school buildings and Laura Hess has made SVVSD a destination district for children with special needs by encouraging inclusive programing.
"I think it really is an award that represents a strong team," Haddad said. "I know it's intended to be an individual award, but I don't think an individual can achieve this type of award without being surrounded by a team of real champions."
Currently, SVVSD serves roughly 33,000 students. In time, it expects to serve over 60,000. Haddad welcomes the growth saying “the more the better. The more students, teachers and staff we have the better opportunities we will have to further influence the future of public education.”
