Commissioner of Education

Commissioner's Office

Commissioner of Education Susana Córdova

View the Commissioner's Biography

View Previous Commissioners

Contact the Commissioner

Email: commissioner@cde.state.co.us

Executive Assistant: Melissa York

Phone: 303-866-6646 (voicemail)

Colorado Department of Education
201 East Colfax Ave, Room 500
Denver, CO 80203

Commissioner's Office Overview

The Commissioner's Office directs the Colorado Department of Education's (CDE) activities, completion towards statutorily required tasks, and attainment of CDE's goals. The Commissioner, along with her Executive Team, ensures that the strategic plan also guides CDE's work. The strategic plan receives input from CDE staff and is revised annually.

Commissioner's Office Responsibilities

Advise the State Board, concerning the current operation and status of the public schools, and other education matters.
Establish and maintain, a system of personnel administration, within the department.
Ensure all policies, rules and regulations adopted by the State Board are duly executed.
Visit local education agencies, schools, communities and key education partners at the local, state, national and global levels.
Prepare and submit, to the State Board, a budget for the department and properly execute the approved budget in accordance with appropriations.

Commissioner's Senior Leadership Team

Alyssa Pearson,
Deputy Commissioner, Pathways, Policy & Partnerships
Rhonda Haniford,
Deputy Commissioner, Student Excellence
Paul Foster,
Assistant Commissioner, Exceptional Student Services
Lindsey Jaeckel,
Assistant Commissioner of School Quality & Support
Danielle Ongart,
Assistant Commissioner, Student Pathways & Engagement

Joanna Bruno, Chief Academic Officer
Christina Wirth-Hawkins, Chief Assessment Officer
Emma Garrett-Nelson, Chief Communications Officer
Sheldon Rosenkrance, Chief District Operations Officer
Wayne Peel, Chief Financial Officer
Marcia Bohannon, Chief Information Officer
Shelbie Konkel, Chief Strategy Officer & Senior Legislative Advisor
Margarita Tovar, Chief Talent Officer

View senior leadership team photos and biographies

Commissioner's Teacher Cabinet

The Commissioner's Teacher Cabinet is a group of practicing teachers from around the state that serve as a sounding board for the implementation of state education policy and will brainstorm solutions for challenges facing today's educators. The cabinet shares new solutions on issues such as raising achievement for all students, supporting low-performing schools and increasing the number of individuals joining the profession.

Learn more about the commissioner's teacher cabinet and its members.

Commissioner's Communications to Superintendents and BOCES Directors

View all commissioner's communications here