Schools & Leadership
Join leaders from Legacy Academy K-8 in Elizabeth as they share their journey of change over the past two years — a process that has resulted in significant increases in both student growth and achievement. They’ll discuss the five phases of their change process in great detail, including:
1. The Challenges — student growth post-COVID, teaching on an Island, unprofessional culture and more.
2. Setting the Stage with various stakeholders — administration, key teachers, board, staff and families.
3. Specific Changes — classroom Management - Capturing Kids Hearts, staff culture, curriculum, lesson planning and a cycle of improvement.
4. Implementation Struggles — buy-in, consistency and mid-year breakthrough.
5. The Results — community impressions, record enrollment, higher quantity and quality of staff candidates and SPF.
Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of how to create positive change within their organization, including the key components that Legacy Academy emphasized to boost student growth and overall culture.
Merlin Holmes has been a career educator for the past three decades. During that time, he served in a variety of roles: science teacher, coach, Principal, Executive Director, District Superintendent, and President of the League of Charter Schools board. In addition, he has presented at conferences, mentored Principals, served on accreditation teams, and evaluated Title I schools. He also helped launch Administrator Mentoring Cohort the Charter School Support Initiative to assist charter schools receiving CDE start-up grants. Mr. Holmes has been involved in 8 building projects which created over 5,000 seats for charter school students. He is driven to produce excellence, and all his schools have produced outstanding academic results, often the best in their district. Most notably, he was the lead administrator during the creation of two of the top academic high schools in the state of Colorado. Throughout his unique administrative career, his schools have consistently produced significant levels of cultural, financial, and academic success.
Tony Vruggink is currently celebrating 25 years in education. He grew up in Hudsonville, Michigan and graduated from high school there. After high school, he joined the United States Marine Corps and served in the infantry for 8 years. When he completed college and was wrapping up his time in the Marine Corps, he began his teaching career in Michigan as a middle school and high school band and choir director. Mr. Vruggink received his Master’s degree in Educational Leadership in 2009 and moved to Colorado in 2010. He taught K-5 general music, and middle school and high school band and choir at a small rural district. During his teaching career, his students received numerous high ratings and awards. His first administrative position was Dean of Students at Legacy Academy, where he became the Principal in 2023. Mr. Vruggink is committed to the idea that all students should receive a quality education which sets them up for success in all they wish to accomplish in their lives. He loves to see students grow and develop to become their best.
Denise LeSage has over 15 years of experience in education, teaching math and science within the Littleton Public Schools District and Legacy Academy. In her first administrative position at Legacy Academy, she served as an instructional coach and is currently the Middle School Assistant Principal. Mrs. LeSage holds a B.A. in Psychology and Biology, a Secondary Education License, and a Master’s degree in Principal Leadership. Education is her passion! Being part of an educational community brings her immense joy when she gets to witness students’ academic growth and character development. She derives satisfaction from watching them evolve into confident adolescents ready for high school. A significant part of her leadership approach centers around building strong relationships with teachers, students, parents and community members. She believes strong relational capacity is a driving force behind a flourishing school.
