Telluride School District

Telluride Garners Superintendent of the Year
-- Colorado Association of School Executive Press Release November 11, 2007

Mary Rubadeau, superintendent of the Telluride School District, is the 2008 Colorado Superintendent of the Year. Rubadeau's selection was announced by the Colorado Association of School Executive (CASE).

Superintendent since 1999, Rubadeau has had a major positive impact on the district and is recognized as a creative and innovative leader. She has established a personalized learning program where small groups of teachers with shared students meet frequently to focus on individual student achievement. This emphasis has resulted in strong student academic performance sustained over time. The program has been so successful, it's been adopted by other districts in the state.

Rubadeau has helped put this small resort district of 650 students in southwestern Colorado on the educational map - working with local agencies to provide affordable housing for teachers, developing a statewide student leadership program, and advocating for stronger state-level leadership.

Lynda Tueller, president of the Telluride Board of Education, nominated Rubadeau for the award noting that she has been "a tireless mentor to our staff, a committed child advocate, and a dynamic catalyst for profound change in public education on the state and national stage." Tueller added that "this remarkable superintendent" is held in high regard in the community and in the state.

Coincidentally, Telluride is also home to the 2008 Colorado Teacher of the Year, Seth Berg. Berg is a highschool math and science teacher. His selection was announced in October.

Originally from the East Coast, Rubadeau spent most of her education career in Alaska where she was a Principal and district administrator. She was previously superintendent in the Juneau School District from 1995-1999.

Rubadeau earned a bachelor's degree in education from St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York, and a master's degree in educational psychology from State University of New York in Albany.

Excellence in Education, Telluride's Teacher of the Year
--Colorado Department of Education Press Release September 26, 2008

The greatest influence to Seth’s classroom management style was Johnny Carson.  Seth says, “A performer needs an audience just as an audience needs a performance, and this relationship is equally applicable to teachers and students.” His teaching philosophy includes an atmosphere of playfulness and enjoyment for exploring intellectual ideas and abstract concepts, appreciating the power of the mind, the stimulation of curiosity, and the satisfaction of growth.  According to Mary Rubadeau, Superintendent of Telluride School District, “Seth inspires students by building relationships and setting high, clear standards for achievement.”

Seth also creates a close bond with colleagues.  Seth presents research-based “Best Practices” at faculty meetings and his colleagues are most appreciative.  He says, “Teachers are wary of “Ivory Tower” advice, but they trust me because I am “in the trenches” and my students’ accomplishments confirm that I must be doing something right.”  According to Peter Mueller, Principal at Telluride High School, “Seth works well with others because he focuses on how to teach students well – it’s not about ego for Seth, it’s about being the best educator one can be and that is why he has established himself as a truly remarkable educator.”