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Commissioner of Education

Commissioner's Office

Susana Córdova

Commissioner of Education Susana Córdova

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
  • TBD, Deputy Commissioner, Strategy
  • 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
  • TBD, Assistant Commissioner, Teaching and Learning

  • 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
  • Margarita Tovar, Chief Talent Officer
  • Shelbie Konkel, Senior Legislative Advisor

View senior leadership team photos and biographies


Commissioner's Teacher Cabinet

Icon for 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