Colorado Department of Education Commissioner Susana Córdova says one of the tougher parts of her job is that she doesn’t get as much time with students as she would like. 

That changed on May 1st when she visited the Iver C. Ranum Innovation Campus and then walked across the street to visit classrooms at the Metropolitan Arts Academy. She was all smiles as she asked questions of high school students studying drone technology and elementary school students who were fully immersed in their learning. 

“It really is an opportunity to see not just how we talk about what education looks like in Colorado but what is really happening in the classroom. Just seeing kids so engaged … It's great work that is happening here.”

Córdova grew up in Denver and at one point in her thirty plus years in education served as Superintendent of Denver Public Schools. She was named commissioner in June of 2023, becoming the state’s first Latina to hold the top position. Before her appointment as commissioner she served as Superintendent in Residence for Transcend, a non-profit education group that works to promote education innovation, like WPS’ Competency Based System (CBS).

She arrived in the district already aware of CBS. “There is such a commitment to learner centered learning here and just the idea of breaking the mold of the traditional status quo,” she said as she wrapped up her visit.

While touring the Ranum campus, Córdova saw firsthand how the district is working to prepare students for the day after graduation by giving them access to advanced Career Technical Education programs that provide industry certification and college credits. The campus opened last year with pathways in Biotechnology, Aviation Engineering and Cyber-Technology.