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Julie Crawford and Doug Humphreys have a unique assignment this year: They are founding principals of two elementary schools currently under construction, and as their buildings are being built, they are laying the foundations for the education that will be provided when their schools open in August of 2027. 

In this episode, Julie and Doug talk about the process of preparing a school’s physical footprint as well as everything necessary to build a staff and educational foundation – and the decision-making required at every turn. 

In early September, Mountain Vista High School science and cybersecurity teacher Jason Cochrane received a surprise visit from state and district leaders informing him that he is among eight finalists for the 2027 Colorado Teacher of the Year.

While he waits to find out who the winner is, he continues teaching high-level classes grounded in career preparation and relevance. Along with featuring Cochrane, this episode also has three students to share their experiences in his classes: Charlie Smyth, a junior, and seniors Nathan Samuel and Cooper Casanova.

Law enforcement partners stopped by Sedalia Elementary to slice and dice with cooking club students to create a tasty creation, straight from the school garden!

Janelle Winders, school counselor at Sagewood Middle School in Parker, has been named the 2026 Middle School Counselor of the Year by the Colorado School Counselor Association.

Jason Cochrane, Mountain Vista High School science and cybersecurity teacher, started his day like normal on Wednesday — until MVHS cheerleaders led a number of state and district leaders into his classroom to announce he is one of eight finalists for the 2027 Colorado Teacher of the Year. 

State Board of Education Chair Rebecca McClellan, State Sen. John Carson of Douglas County, Commissioner of Education Susana Córdova, DCSD Superintendent Erin Kane, MVHS Principal Rob Ceglie, and Boettcher Scholar Alum Matt Lausten and others sprang the surprise on Cochrane and explained why he is one of the top teachers in the state. 

Douglas County School District (DCSD) is pleased to announce the names of 18 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists, making them part of an elite group representing less than 1 percent of U.S. high school seniors.