We are thrilled to announce the selection and appointment of respected ISDenver teacher and leader Maria Rodriguez to the role of ECE Principal, beginning in August, 2020. Maria was recommended unanimously by a dedicated committee tasked with this search process; the group was comprised of ECE teachers (one from each of our language programs) and a school counselor.

Maria first joined the ISDenver faculty in 2012, became the Spanish Program Head in 2014, and now serves as the Assistant ECE Principal. Throughout these years, Maria has been integral in the education of our learners, as well as the hiring and training of new Spanish program faculty. As head of program, Maria has worked closely with the Spanish Ministry of Education to ensure that ISDenver Spanish faculty continually train on and deliver the Spanish national curriculum to the highest of standards. In line with the Lower School and Middle School principal positions, Maria will lead the ECE faculty and ensure the best teaching and learning practices are upheld, along with overseeing safe and secure daily building operations. Maria will work closely with Christele Turner, the ECE assistant principal; both will represent ISDenver’s ECE faculty and learners. 

Maria has a wealth of experience and training for this very role. In addition to her years of advancing our school and Spanish program, she was a preschool teacher and then principal in her native Spain. She holds an undergraduate degree in ECE and elementary teaching from the University of Cantabria, with training in special education, and a master’s degree in educational leadership and administration. At her former school in Spain, she was involved with the Comenius Project, an EU initiative that helps students and teachers alike to understand the range of European cultures, languages, and values. Maria’s background has been a tremendous asset to our school community, within which Maria has helped lead cross-cultural dialogue and curriculum development, including the school’s vetting of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP). 

Of note, both Maria and her husband, Alberto (G3 and G4/G5 Welcome Room Spanish teacher), are proud parents of Daniela, one of our G3 Chinese program students. We are so very fortunate to have such an accomplished and dedicated faculty to promote within our community, who can also bring the parent perspective to the leadership roles.

Congratulations, Maria!