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Haberer, the current Superintendent of the Ellensburg School District, in Ellensburg, Wash., brings 35 years of educational experience to her new post. She previously served as the Assistant Superintendent of Student Achievement for Poudre School District in Ft. Collins, Colo. and held several administrative positions in the Aurora Public School District, in Aurora, Colo. Before her administrative roles, Haberer taught secondary science, language arts, and math in Colorado, Oklahoma, and Nevada.

"Mrs. Haberer's strong focus on academic excellence is a great fit for our district. The board is impressed with her qualifications, passion for education, and strong character. These attributes will continue D20's rigorous academic reputation while also creating innovative solutions that make us even better,” said Tom LaValley, Academy District 20 BOE, president. 

He added, “I am confident our staff, students and parents will be well served by her leadership. She has a proven track-record of raising student achievement, closing opportunity gaps, and maintaining strong professional working relationships with staff and stakeholders.” 

While serving as the Ellensburg School District Superintendent, Haberer’s accomplishments included:

  • leading efforts to pass both a levy and a $59.5 million bond project which resulted in the construction of two new school buildings and a remodel of a third elementary,

  • developing a multi-stakeholder Attendance Zone Committee whose recommendations resulted in redesigned elementary attendance zones and aligned transportation capacities,

  • implementing an annual district-wide parent/student survey focused on increasing student belonging, 

  • leading a multi-stakeholder committee that resulted in the naming of the state’s first school after a local Native American woman, Ida Nason Aronica,

  • establishing multiple community partnerships which included joint efforts by Ellensburg School District, Central Washington University, and the City of Ellensburg to increase community connectedness by hosting the first “Belonging in the Burg” World Café.

Prior to her work as Superintendent, Haberer spent four years as the Poudre School District Assistant Superintendent of Student Achievement and a decade with Aurora Public Schools where she held several school principal roles, and the position of Director of Student Achievement of middle and K-8 schools. During these 14 years, some of her key accomplishments included:

  • creating high performing professional learning teams resulting in increases in math and literacy state assessment scores and upward movement in the Colorado School Performance Framework,

  • increasing access to the International Baccalaureate (IB) program for all students,

  • promoting bilingualism as a goal for all graduates,

  • implementing structures and systems to prevent and address issues related to school safety,

  • establishing professional learning communities in all schools,

  • collaborating with school boards and school district cabinet members to implement systems and practices to close achievement gaps and raise student achievement, and

  • creating grade-level and content based high performing teams using a data dashboard highlighting students in need of additional support.

“Throughout my career it has been a privilege working with such talented educators, school boards and community members. These varied experiences have provided me a unique perspective that helps me understand the strengths and challenges of providing systemic quality learning experiences in larger school districts,” Haberer said.

She also understands the importance of being a trusted community partner. Haberer grants her success as an executive leader to her ability and commitment to collaborate and create strong community partnerships. While in Ellensburg she served on multiple boards and committees including the Kittitas County Health Network, Rotary, Ellensburg Education Foundation, Dispute Resolution Center of Yakima and Kittitas County, and the Professional Education Advisory Board with Central Washington University.

She added, “I am honored, and excited to join Academy District 20, so together we can build on its tradition of excellence by allocating resources in equitable ways to empower all students to graduate prepared for meaningful postsecondary success.”

Haberer holds a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from the University of Colorado Medical Center, and a master’s degree in administrative policy and leadership from the University of Colorado, Denver.

A Colorado native, Haberer grew up in southwest Denver. She is looking forward to coming home and joining her family along the front range. As an outdoor enthusiast, she is excited to explore Colorado Springs with her husband, two sons and their families.

In fact, Haberer comes from a long lineage of educators. Her grandmother taught fourth grade, her mother taught kindergarten, and her father taught high school/college English and journalism.

“My family instilled in me the importance of academic excellence and the joy of inspiring creativity, a growth mindset, hope, and the desire to be lifelong learners,” Haberer said. “These are my 'whys' for being an educator.”