Florida Mesa Elementary School Principal Lauri Kloepfer won a proclamation from Gov. John Hickenlooper this week for her work as a turnaround educator.
Kloepfer, in one year, raised the performance of her kindergarten through fifth-grade students from near the bottom of the state rating system to a level that merits recognition.
The school was mired in priority improvement status, which means it was failing its mission. The only lower category is turnaround status when the state steps in to guide instruction.
In a single year under Kloepfer’s guidance, the school leaped “improvement” status to land in “performance” status, an almost unheard of turnaround.
But news gets around.
Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia, who was visiting schools as part of National Literacy Week, surprised Kloepfer with the proclamation from Hickenlooper.
Wading through the “Whereas” clauses, one learns that Kloepfer is an incredible leader and inspirational educator, she has an impeccable reputation for putting students and their needs above all else, and Durango School District 9-R is losing a shining star with her retirement this year.
In recognition of her accomplishments, Hickenlooper proclaimed May 20 as Lauri Kloepfer Day throughout the state.
“When Florida Mesa fell into priority improvement, we knew that it was critical to get someone into the school that could provide solid leadership,” district Superintendent Dan Snowberger said in a statement. “Lauri’s extensive background in education and long trail of educational successes, elevated her to be the top candidate.
“She didn’t disappoint, and she helped move the school up two spots in the state framework in one year’s time,” Snowberger said. “That kind of movement is unprecedented.”
On Thursday, Kloepfer said she was knocked for a loop by the unexpected state recognition.
Kloepfer taught in Utah, Idaho and New Mexico before taking a job with 9-R 13 years ago. Among her assignments: She was principal at Sunnyside Elementary School for four years and director of curriculum and instruction for a year at the district office before taking on the Florida Mesa Elementary School challenge.
The turnaround at Florida Mesa was done by aligning instruction with Colorado standards, Kloepfer said.
In summation, she said: “We found out what the students were supposed to know, what they knew, and then taught them what they needed to know.”
daler@durangoherald.com
