Dear Editor:
This is an open letter to members of the Rangely community.
I am honored and excited to have been selected for the position of Rangely Junior/Senior High School principal. I am currently serving as interim director of federal programs and student success in the Boulder (Colo.) Valley School District.
I am now at a point in my life where I have the opportunity to relocate to an area that appeals to me. Rangely is a beautiful area and serving in a small community is very desirable to me.
I have extensive experience working in the public school system including both diverse, high poverty, urban school environments and high-performing suburban school settings.
I hold a Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy studies, a master’s in marital and family therapy and a cross-cultural language acquisition teaching credential.
In addition, I have a Colorado state professional administrator license and a professional K-12 principal license.
I have five years teaching experience, 12 years of public school leadership experience and a strong background in elementary, adolescent and ESL literacy. This position is a unique opportunity and, after extensive conversations, superintendent Matt Scoggins and I both felt we had a great fit.
Although my education and experience qualify me for this position, I believe my greatest strength is my love for helping students.
I plan to come on board in early July and, in the meantime, get busy packing and moving! I look forward to meeting you and your students and I can’t wait for the first day of school.
Kevin Gates
Boulder
Soon to be Rangely