Dr. Jackie Kapushion officially became St. Vrain Valley Schools’ new superintendent on July 1, 2025 after serving as Deputy Superintendent for the past eight years. We sat down with Dr. Kapushion to learn more about her journey, her passion for education, and her vision for our district’s future.

One of the most frequent questions children get asked is, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Their faces light up with wonder as they imagine a future without limitations. After a moment’s thought, they excitedly share answers ranging from impactful careers like a teacher, first responder, or doctor, to more imaginative ones like a superhero or fairy. These aspirations take shape through the community and experiences that surround them. At home, they see skills in action like an older brother repairing cars or a parent leading a meeting, and start to picture where their own path might lead. At school, an inspirational art teacher encourages them to explore their creativity, or a field trip to the Innovation Center sparks an interest in computer science. Regardless of the destination, many programs can guide a student towards their future career or passion.

As the grand finale of St. Vrain’s districtwide Band Night begins, hundreds of high school musicians take to the stadium field after two hours of individual performances. Thousands of spectators cheer as the percussion, brass, and woodwind musicians from more than ten schools unite in a single soaring sound – a powerful showcase of the scale, creativity, and community engagement that have earned St. Vrain Valley Schools national recognition in music education.

When thinking back to grade school, the idea of “firsts” often brings to mind a familiar scene from the first day of a new year: a carefully chosen outfit, a backpack stuffed with supplies, and a rush of excitement whilst finding your seat, eagerly waiting for the day to begin. These memories evoke a special kind of nostalgia, blending anticipation and possibility that signal the start of something new. But the “firsts” that truly stay with us echo far longer than the first bell of a new school year.

It’s a Monday evening at Frederick High School’s library, and as families filter in to find seats, a group of students gather beneath the projector screen. The title slide clicks into place: “What We Want Everyone to Know About Dyslexia.” Over the course of the evening, these students dispel myths and misconceptions about dyslexia, share their own journeys, and empower families in the community with practical tools and resources.

From the moment you check the weather before heading out the door to the instant Netflix lines up your next binge-worthy show before bed, artificial intelligence (AI) is quietly and prominently at work behind the scenes. It powers smart appliances, helps doctors analyze medical scans, strengthens home security systems, and so much more. It is the wizard behind the curtain, constantly making technology more responsive, more personalized, and simply better at its tasks. Unsurprisingly, there is more to the story. As with any emerging technology, there are always questions as to whether it will ultimately do more damage than good. With the rapid rise of generative AI tools like ChatGPT, the way we interact with and apply AI in schools is as significant today as the introduction of the internet was to education in the 1990s. As schools redefine what it means to prepare students for the future, St. Vrain Valley leaders and educators have embraced the challenge, taking a strategic, thoughtful, and responsible approach to ensure AI is only used to strengthen learning and to prepare students for future success.