Tomi Amos, Chief Executive Officer, KIPP Colorado

Statement: 

I am seeking to serve on the Colorado League of Charter Schools’ Board because I believe deeply in the League’s role as a unifying force for Colorado’s charter sector and see Board service as an opportunity to expand my impact on behalf of charter schools and the families they serve. Serving on the Board would allow me to help sustain and strengthen the sector through disciplined governance, thoughtful advocacy, and a clear focus on quality and equity.

I have proudly served on the League’s Member Council since 2021, where I have advised the League’s staff and Board on key priorities and policies affecting charter schools statewide and learned from leaders across diverse charter contexts—urban, rural, large networks, and single-site schools. These experiences have reinforced my belief that effective charter policy requires protecting school-level autonomy while establishing clear, outcomes-based accountability and shared responsibility for statewide quality and performance.

As CEO of KIPP Colorado Public Schools, I bring a systems-level perspective shaped by leading a pre-K–12 organization, navigating authorizer relationships, supporting boards and school leaders, and making difficult tradeoffs in complex political and fiscal environments. I have also worked at the Colorado Department of Education, where I gained deep understanding of Colorado’s districts, school systems, and the policy and authorizing relationships that shape public education across the state.

If selected to serve on the League’s Board, I would bring a collaborative, pragmatic, and student-first approach, grounded in respect for local context and a commitment to continuing to maximize the charter sector’s impact and ability to innovate on behalf of kids.

Bio:

Tomi Amos is the Chief Executive Officer of KIPP Colorado Public Schools, a role she has proudly held for the past six years. In this position, she leads the organization’s strategic vision, academic outcomes, and long-term sustainability in service of more than 2,400 students in pre-K through 12th grades across Colorado, grounded in a deep belief in belonging, excellence, and joyful learning for both students and staff.

Tomi has spent her career in charter, traditional district, and innovation schools, serving as a teacher, school leader, support partner, and policy leader across New York and Colorado. Her work spans the school, district, and state levels, with a consistent focus on strengthening systems, governance, and accountability in service of students and families.

She brings significant experience in education policy and charter governance, including service on statewide boards and task forces, and is deeply committed to ensuring Colorado’s charter sector remains strong, equitable, and student-centered.

Mary Baker, K–4 Principal, New Vision Charter School

Statement:

I am deeply passionate about supporting educators and removing obstacles that prevent them from thriving in their vital role. My vision is to empower teachers to become the most effective professionals possible, enabling them, in turn, to inspire and guide students toward realizing their fullest potential.

Serving on the Colorado League of Charter Schools Board would provide an ideal platform to channel this commitment into meaningful impact. I approach leadership with positivity, compassionate accountability, and consistently high expectations for everyone involved—teachers, leaders, parents, and students alike. These principles foster environments where growth is encouraged, excellence is the norm, and individuals are supported rather than judged.

Charter schools hold a special place in my heart because they cultivate vibrant communities of learners. By design, they engage teachers, parents, and students as true partners in education, creating shared investment in every child's success. This collaborative model ensures that all stakeholders are aligned in pursuing maximum potential for students, whether through innovative legislation that strengthens school autonomy, strategic financing that sustains quality programs, visionary leadership that sets direction, targeted coaching that builds skills, or simply serving as a thoughtful partner who listens, challenges ideas, and offers fresh perspectives.

I am eager to bring my dedication, experience, and optimistic yet principled approach to the Board. Together, we can advance charter education in Colorado, breaking down barriers, elevating teaching and learning, and ensuring every student has the opportunity to excel in a supportive, high-achieving community.

Bio:

Mary Baker, a proud Colorado native, has dedicated her life to education and leadership, inspiring students and teachers to reach their fullest potential. She graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a bachelor’s degree in Communications before pursuing advanced studies. Mary earned a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix, followed by a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership - Principalship from the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Her career in education spans over two decades, beginning with teaching in Bakersfield, California, from 2003 to 2012. She then served as the 7th Grade Dean of Students from 2012 to 2013, followed by a role as Elementary Assistant Principal in Greeley’s District 6 from 2013 to 2019. Since 2019, Mary has been the K-4 Principal of New Vision Charter School, where she continues to foster an environment of positivity, growth, community, and innovation. As a John Maxwell Certified Leadership Coach, she brings a unique perspective to her leadership, emphasizing empowerment and development for both students and educators.

Outside of her professional life, Mary cherishes spending time with her husband, two children, and their dog. Her passions include traveling, visiting Disney, and cooking, which allow her to unwind and connect with her family.

Ricky Bucher, Executive Director, Salida del Sol Academy

Statement:

I would like to serve on the League’s board because I believe that every child needs a chance to attend a public school that works for them, and that we need more educational options for our communities.  I want to pay it forward, as I have benefited from the League's support since I became a member after serving as a long-time public school educator in traditional district schools.  In 2022, I joined the charter community as the Executive Director of Salida del Sol Academy in Greeley.  SDSA is a Dual Language Spanish-English K-8 Charter.  In the past 3 years, we have increased enrollment, reduced teacher turnover, and moved our school from an improvement to a performance status on the school performance framework.  Many people ask why I decided to lead a charter school at this stage in my career.  I tell them that I didn’t initially realize how limited the options were for families and students seeking a bilingual and culturally relevant school program in the traditional district setting.  I love how the league advocates for school choice, provides high-quality professional development, and remains very active in legislative and school law matters.  I want to give back to the league by offering my leadership on the board.  I have over 26 years of experience and a track record of success, and I get along well with others. 

Bio:

Salida del Sol Academy is excited to announce the appointment of our new Executive Director, Ricky Bucher!  Bucher, a Colorado native, has over 20 years of experience in education, most recently serving as the Assistant Director of Special Education for Pre-K-12 at District 6.  Prior to that, he worked as the Instructional Coach Coordinator for District 6, the Pre-K-5 Elementary Title 1 Bilingual Principal for Westminster Public Schools, the K-5 Elementary Bilingual Assistant Principal for Heiman Elementary, the Pre-K Elementary Bilingual Title 1 Principal for School District 27J, the High School Bilingual Assistant Principal for 27J, in addition to various similar positions.  Mr. Bucher, an expert in bilingual education, is committed to ensuring that all students receive the best possible education at Greeley and Weld County’s only bilingual education school.

Mr. Bucher said, "I am excited to begin at Salida del Sol Academy and look forward to meeting our gifted staff and incredible students.  My favorite quote is from an old Spanish saying/dicho: ‘Quien sabe dos lenguas, vale por dos’ ‘One who knows two languages is worth two people.’” Mr. Bucher lives in Ft. Lupton with his wife and 3 boys, and in his free time enjoys spending time with his family, fly fishing, and watching sports, especially football.  Please join us in welcoming Ricky Bucher to the Salida del Sol Academy familia.

Melissa Rossback, Board Chair, Belle Creek Charter School

Statement:

For the past 17 years, my work has centered on supporting boards and executive leaders in complex, highly regulated environments. I routinely help governing bodies clarify roles and responsibilities, strengthen oversight practices, and navigate the balance between strategic leadership and operational restraint. In the charter school space, that balance is critical. Boards must be engaged, informed, and accountable, without drifting into management or creating unnecessary friction for school leaders. 

I bring a practical, compliance-focused perspective based on real-world experience. I understand the challenges boards face when statutory requirements, authorizer expectations, and organizational realities conflict. I’m especially dedicated to helping boards develop sustainable systems around leadership accountability, risk management, and human capital. These are areas that directly influence school stability and student success. 

Serving on the League’s board would enable me to make a broader impact by supporting charter schools across the state through thoughtful governance, collaboration, and shared learning. I appreciate the League’s role in strengthening the charter community and would gladly offer my experience and perspective to help advance that mission. 

Bio:

I am a senior human resources executive, consultant, and organizational leadership scholar with 17 years of experience working with boards, executive leaders, and public-facing organizations. I am the Founder and Chief Human Resources Officer of The MiXx Consulting, a Colorado-based firm that offers governance advisory, compliance support, leadership development, and workplace investigations for charter schools, special districts, public safety agencies, and small to mid-sized organizations. 

My work centers on helping boards and leadership teams operate clearly, with accountability and confidence, especially where regulatory requirements, public oversight, and organizational culture meet. I frequently advise charter school boards on governance structure, policy alignment, leadership accountability, employee relations, and Colorado-specific compliance issues. My approach is practical and defensible, focusing on protecting organizational integrity while fostering healthy, effective leadership. 

I hold a bachelor’s degree and an MBA in Human Resources Management and am currently pursuing a doctorate in Organizational Leadership, with research focused on leadership effectiveness and governance in high-risk, high-accountability environments. In addition to my professional work, I serve in various governance and advisory roles throughout Colorado. 

I am known for a straightforward, balanced approach to governance; one that values innovation while emphasizing the importance of structure, compliance, and ethical leadership. 

Thank you for your consideration. 

Eric Alan Rowe, Principal, New America School – Lakewood

Statement:

I come to this moment as a veteran educator who has spent more than two decades walking alongside young people and the adults who serve them—often in the margins, always in pursuit of justice. From co-founding a school for Black boys in Kenya to leading competency-based, healing-centered campuses in Colorado, I have learned that schools thrive when equity is not an aspiration, but a daily practice . 

Today, Colorado’s charter sector stands at a crossroads. Declining enrollment, rising operational costs, and inequitable access to capital funding threaten the very schools that were created to expand opportunity. I have lived these tensions as a School Leader who has secured over $600,000 in grants to build STEM labs, maker spaces, and work-based learning pathways—because under-resourced students deserve world-class facilities, not hand-me-downs. 

My work leading schools, facilitating equity-driven design cycles, and coaching educators across states has taught me that sustainability and justice are inseparable. As a board member, I would bring a practitioner’s lens to policy, advocating for fair capital financing, strong accountability that honors growth, and systems that allow innovative schools to survive and scale. 

I ask for your support not for me, but for the students, families, and educators whose futures depend on charter schools that are resourced, protected, and led with courage, dignity, and an unwavering commitment to justice. 

Bio 

As the Founder and CEO of 3ED Consulting Services, LLC, I have 30 years of experience in education, with a focus on equity, positive youth development, strategic planning and designing authentic learning experiences for youth and adults. I hold a School Administration certification, a Principal K-12 certification, an MAT in Secondary Education and an MA in Educational Administration. I am currently pursuing an EdD in Social Justice in Education. I currently serve as the Principal of New America School- Lakewood in Lakewood, CO. 

I am passionate about developing programs that enable rigorous, joyful, and personalized learning experiences for educators, students, families, and community partners. I have facilitated Communities of Practice on student-centered practices, designed competency based education systems, coached educators in developing equity mindsets and pedagogy and collaborated with public schools, public charter schools and libraries to design outcomes based youth development programs. I am also a Co-Founder and former Co-President of the Denver School Leaders Association (DSLA), Colorado's first collective bargaining unit advocating for Principals, Assistant Principals and Deans within Denver Public Schools. 

Dr. Ian Stout, Executive Director, Loveland Classical Schools

Statement:

I am seeking reelection to the CLCS Board of Directors because, as a fellow leader of a Colorado charter school, I know that we are all stronger together, and I am driven to represent all of Colorado’s charter schools, students, and families at a state-level to fortify that Colorado remains a very strong public school choice State.

My strengths in this work are grounded in my bipartisan stance to find our common ground and values as the charter school sector towards solutions that strengthen Colorado public school choice which benefits all our schools and our students. 

I would like to serve a second term on the CLCS Board to assist the League’s great work as we continue to advocate for more equitable district bond funding for charters, defend against atrocious anti-charter legislation, and establish the legislative conditions that allow for charter schools to grow and thrive. 

I have over a decade of experience as a charter leader in supporting the League’s work including advocacy in the State Capitol for equitable charter school funding, providing testimony to the House Education Committee against anti-charter legislation, and coordination with other charter schools to assist with a school leader amicus brief to the US Supreme Court to reaffirm the public nature of charter schools.

We have great momentum towards huge wins for our charter sector, and in this role I plan to continue my support of League’s work in supporting public school choice and advocating for Colorado’s charter school students and families.  

Bio:

Dr. Ian Stout is a major proponent for the diversity of options that charter schools provide for Colorado’s students and families. Dr. Stout currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Colorado League of Charter Schools towards supporting public school choice and charter schools throughout Colorado. He also provides mentorship for fellow charter schools in organizational development and educational models, and he has helped facilitate Charter School Principal Leadership trainings with the CDE and the CLCS.  

Dr. Stout is honored to serve as Loveland Classical Schools’ Executive Director towards implementing its mission to provide a high-quality classical education for LCS’ students and families. LCS serves over 1,000 students in grades K-12, and is designated a “School of Distinction” by its authorizing district. He has been with Loveland Classical Schools since it first opened in 2011, and has served as LCS’ school leader for over a decade.

Dr. Stout received his B.A. degrees in both History and Philosophy from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he studied the history of thought focusing on comparative ontology. He later earned his M.A. in Education with a concentration in educational leadership from Goddard College, a liberal arts college in Vermont, and he earned his Doctor of Education with a concentration in executive leadership from the University of Colorado, Denver. Dr. Stout holds both Colorado Principal and Superintendent licenses.