Heatherwood Principal ready to learn

Genna Jaramillo loves to learn. From the time she was a high school senior serving as her school’s mascot, T-Doug the Cardinal, to stepping into the role of principal at Heatherwood Elementary School, Jaramillo has been dedicated to schools and education.

Born and raised on the bayou, Jaramillo received her undergraduate and graduate degree from Louisiana State University and is still a proud Tigers fan.

From there, Jaramillo taught first grade in Houston, Texas, where access to new technology in the late 90s inspired her to earn an additional graduate degree in order to become an instructional technology coach. “I’ve always had an interest in what’s new and up and coming,” Jaramillo said when explaining what drew her to the role.

Jaramillo continued coaching teachers when she moved to Colorado 12 years ago, working for Adams 14 and Boulder Valley School District, but eventually found she missed being in a school environment and decided to earn her principal’s license.

After five years as an assistant principal at Aspen Creek K-8 in Broomfield, Jaramillo was ready for a new challenge. “I feel like my role in life is to impact kids and family in a positive way, and it was time to have my own school,” Jaramillo said.

When asked what drew her to Heatherwood, Jaramillo explained, “There are lots of similarities between my experience and Heatherwood. The makeup of our schools was similar. Aspen Creek had an intensive learning center, and I really enjoy working with the autism community. We also had TAG (talented and gifted) which is important to Heatherwood as well.”

Since moving into Heatherwood’s front office this August, Jaramillo has spent most of her time meeting with parents, staff and PTO members in order to learn about the community. “I most look forward to getting to know everybody,” Jaramillo said when asked about her plans for the school year. “So much of leadership is about understanding the culture and the needs of individuals and the school.”

Jaramillo lives in Superior with her husband, an art teacher and baseball coach at Fairview High School, and her two children, ages 8 and 11, who also attend Boulder Valley Schools. “We are a family dedicated to public education,” Jaramillo said.