July 12th, 2023

Hello Anser Community!

June has been a busy month at Anser and we are happy to share some updates on work we have been doing over the summer to have an excellent 2023-2024 school year!

We are excited to announce  the hiring of an Interim Education Director to serve for this next school year. I will be working closely with Destin Tonkin, as she serves in this capacity. Destin has a long history with Anser, something  we felt was very important as we work to build our new leadership structure for Anser’s future.  She will start in her new capacity August 1st. You can read herintroductory letter here.

With Destin in place in the Interim Education Director position, I will be working closely with Abby Nichols (Assistant Education Director), and the Anser Board to develop an updated Education Director position that is laser focused on ensuring a rigorous education program grounded in our expeditionary, EL Education model, under the guidance and support of the Executive Director.

Other great work is happening as well! Teachers from across multiple grade levels are attending an EL Education math conference in Las Vegas. We are developing our Professional Development schedule for teaching staff, with a focus on rigor, high quality student work, data analysis and a continued focus on math instruction. We are also working with one of Anser’s founders, and former Education Director Suzanne Gregg to support our newer staff in implementing the EL model within their classrooms. 

Our facility has received some upgrades as well! We have a brand new gym floor that we will all enjoy during lunch, PE and Whole School Community. The 1st grade wing has been repainted and drainage work is being completed on the playground. It's quieter without our students on campus, but our staff continue to be busy creating a welcoming space for your return. We will send out additional updates as we get closer to school starting, including information on online registration, the Back to School Picnic, class list posting and more.

I am spending as much time in the mountains this summer as I can,  recharging my battery after a few busy years of covid and construction. I will be back in the office with regularity the third week of July and would love to hear from  you.  Did you know we will be celebrating Anser’s 25th school year as we reconnect in August? As we enter this new quarter century for our school,  I am honored to continue my Anser journey in my new position.  I’m looking forward to working collaboratively and creatively with our Anser parent community, staff and board to ground our school in our Anser Mission, strengthen our ties as a community and ensure each of your children receives the whole child education we know will help them thrive as learners and as change-makers for our future.

In Crew,

Heather Dennis

Executive Director