Reflections on Service, STEM Education, and Preparing Students for an AI-Driven Future

As my service on the STEM School Highlands Ranch (STEM) Board comes to an end, I find myself reflecting on a journey that began long before I joined the Board.

My connection to STEM dates back to 2008, when I served on the Douglas County School District Accountability Committee. I was part of the team that reviewed and recommended approval of STEM’s original application. Years later, as a Douglas County School Board Director, I also had the opportunity to participate in reviewing and approving STEM’s charter renewals as the school continued to grow and mature.

One of the most memorable and difficult moments of my public service came on May 7, 2019. As a Douglas County School Board Director, I was one of the board members on site following the STEM School shooting, joining families, staff, first responders, and community members at the Highlands Ranch Community Association’s Northridge Recreation Center. It was a heartbreaking day that revealed both the fragility and the strength of a community united in support of its students.

Today, STEM School Highlands Ranch serves approximately 1,500 students from kindergarten through 12th grade and is recognized as one of Colorado’s top-performing schools. The school reflects the diversity of our region, with students representing a wide range of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. STEM’s success is a testament to the hard work of its students, families, educators, staff, administrators, and volunteers.

I am grateful to have served alongside dedicated board members and school leaders who are deeply committed to providing students with high-quality educational opportunities. Together, we worked through challenges, celebrated achievements, and remained focused on helping students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

While my Board service concludes, my commitment to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics education remains stronger than ever. Having spent more than 30 years as an information technology professional, I have witnessed multiple waves of technological change—from personal computers and the internet to cloud computing and mobile technology. Today, we stand at the beginning of another transformation: artificial intelligence.

AI is already reshaping industries, changing the nature of work, and creating new opportunities and challenges for workers, businesses, and communities. The students entering kindergarten today will graduate into a world where AI literacy, critical thinking, problem-solving, adaptability, and technical skills will be more important than ever. Preparing students for that future requires more than teaching technology—it requires teaching them how to learn, innovate, collaborate, and think ethically in a rapidly changing world.

That is why strong STEM education matters. Whether delivered through traditional public schools, charter public schools, career and technical education programs, or other innovative learning environments, STEM education helps equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the careers of tomorrow. Our goal should not simply be to prepare students for the jobs that exist today, but for the opportunities that will emerge over the next several decades.

Thank you for the privilege of serving this remarkable school community. I look forward to continuing to support educational excellence, innovation, and student success throughout Douglas County and Colorado.

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