Author - The Durango Herald

The end of ‘one-size-fits-all’: Six ways Durango School District is redefining success

Across the country, public education is changing. The old model – where every student marched through the same schedule, tests and expectations – is giving way to something far more personal...

DATE: Oct 22, 2025 | CATEGORY: Community

Beyond the noise, our graduates show the real story

Every election season, schools are pulled into the political spotlight. Instead of celebrating student achievement or supporting teachers, some campaigns look for ways to cast public schools...

DATE: Sep 12, 2025 | CATEGORY: Community

We’re steering through the storms toward a bright school year

If you’ve lived in the Four Corners for a while, you know a summer storm when you see one. Sometimes the sky turns from blue to black in minutes, and the wind hits before you can get the lau...

DATE: Aug 15, 2025 | CATEGORY: Community

Why we’re saying goodbye to ‘9-R’ – and honoring where we came from

What does “9-R” mean, anyway? If you’ve ever asked that question, you’re not alone. The term has been a part of our district’s name since the 1950s, but few people today know what it stands ...

DATE: Jul 17, 2025 | CATEGORY: Community

Resilient, not broken: A public school year worth celebrating

We often hear that schools are in crisis. But here’s what I see: students who adapt, teachers who show up every day with heart and a community that continues to believe in the power of publi...

DATE: May 15, 2025 | CATEGORY: Columnists

Failing schools? Not here! Durango High School is a success story

In a time when national conversations often highlight the challenges within our educational system, it’s heartening to spotlight our local success story. Here in La Plata County, our student...

DATE: Feb 14, 2025 | CATEGORY: Community

Thriving in the ‘messy middle’: How schools are evolving for the future

Middle school is like crossing a swinging bridge – uncertain, sometimes daunting, but an essential step to growing up. For students, it’s a whirlwind of change. For educators, it’s a balanci...

DATE: Jan 24, 2025 | CATEGORY: Community

Back-to-School: District helps families support students’ mental health

Back-to-school week is here! Aug. 20 marks the first day of school for Durango School District families. It’s an exciting time, filled with anticipation and questions for students like: Who ...

DATE: Aug 16, 2024 | CATEGORY: Community

Our schools are shabby here, across the nation

Have you ever cleaned your home’s carpets and been shocked by the gunk that comes out? Now, imagine hundreds of little shoes stomping on the same school hallway carpet, year after year. Try...

DATE: Jul 19, 2024 | CATEGORY: Columnists