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May 4-May 8 is Staff Appreciation Week in the Douglas County School District. Join us in thanking our employees for their hard work and all they do to make DCSD the best school district!

Since I was a kid, I've known I wanted to be an educator. I loved playing school and helping in classrooms, inspired by the teachers who welcomed me in. My passion for education grew, and in high school, I found my ultimate career goal: becoming a high school principal. My inspiration was my high school principal, Joe Burton. He showed me that fostering strong relationships is the key to success. He taught me the importance of building a community where all students, staff and parents feel valued, heard and included. His leadership style, focused on connection and community, solidified my aspiration to follow in his footsteps. 
 

On April 21, 2026, the DCSD Board of Education approved a new policy about the use of communication devices in schools. This was the culmination of nearly two years’ worth of district leaders’ work.

In this episode, DCSD Chief of Staff Steve Colella and ThunderRidge High School Principal Liz Walhof discuss the issue, the policy, and most importantly, the practices of students, teachers, parents and district leaders when it comes to communication devices – not just phones. 

DCSD prides itself on offering educational options for every student. Cloverleaf Enrichment School provides curriculum and courses for homeschool students, but that's just the beginning. Principal Beth Dowdy explains how her school is connecting families and building a community. 

Dr. Mark Thorsen, a Social Studies teacher at Ponderosa High School, is the first-ever recipient of the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) inaugural Award for Excellence in Holocaust Education. The award was presented to Thorsen by Colorado Governor Jared Polis.

“81 years after the Holocaust, Colorado is as committed as ever to the promise of Never Again. From statewide high school Holocaust education to fighting hate of all kinds, we are building a Colorado for All. Congratulations to Dr. Mark Thorsen of Ponderosa High School for receiving the ADL’s Award for Excellence in Holocaust Education, for decades of impact helping to build a brighter future,” said Governor Polis.