Executive Director

awilkin@prospectridgeacademy.org

I have had the good fortune to work at PRA since the very beginning! It's been quite a journey but I feel honored to be part of the story and support the growth of students, staff, and our community. We have an incredible opportunity here at PRA to grow academic, social, and ethical leaders every day.

My husband, Josh, and I are proud parents to two fantastic boys who have been attending PRA since kindergarten. We are "all in" on the mission and vision of PRA and are Miners to the core. When we are not on campus for school or special events, we can be found hiking, skiing, or visiting a national park. 

Go, Miners! 

K8 Principal

abruce@prospectridgeacademy.org

High School Principal

adigiacomo@prospectridgeacademy.org

Mr. DiGiacomo has over 25 years of K-12 education experience. He holds a BA in Biology and a MA in Secondary Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Since 2013, he has served as the High School Principal at Prospect Ridge Academy.  He has taught both middle school and high school science in the Boulder Valley School District and worked as a teacher and administrator at Peak to Peak Charter School for 10 years, prior to joining Prospect Ridge Academy.  In addition, he has worked closely with the Colorado Department of Education as a State Review Panelist as well as a Charter School Support Initiative (CSSI) team member.  As well, Mr. DiGiacomo has worked closely with the Colorado League of Charter Schools and the Leadership and Learning Center as a consultant and trainer in the area of Data-Driven Decision Making and Data Teams. 

Earlier in his K-12 education career, Mr. DiGiacomo was Vice President & Director of Curriculum for Team Labs, a leading science education company in Boulder, and served as a consultant to science teachers and science coordinators throughout the United States, Canada, and Asia. He is the author of a number of MS and HS science curriculum books focused on technology integration in the science classroom.

Elementary Assistant Principal

sshoemaker@prospectridgeacademy.org

Sarah Shoemaker is excited to be in the role as an Elementary Assistant Principal at Prospect Ridge Academy.  She attended Creighton University for her BS degree and graduated in 1998.  While teaching middle school Science and Math, she went back to University of Nebraska at Omaha to obtain her Master's in Elementary Education.  She remained teaching in Nebraska for six years.  Mrs. Shoemaker then moved to Colorado and began teaching as a homeroom teacher in a talented and gifted charter school for both 5th and 6th grades.  Sarah began working at PRA in 2012 as the Science Specialist, teaching K-5 Science.  She attended University of Northern Colorado for her Educational Leadership degree. Mrs. Sarah Shoemaker is excited to be a part of PRA's Leadership Team!

Middle School Assistant Principal/Middle School Assistant Athletic Director

cdrzewiecki@prospectridgeacademy.org

My name is Mrs. Casey Baldwin formerly known as Drzewiecki (pronounced Ja-vet-ski). It's my ninth year here at PRA and I can't be more excited.  I am now the MS Assistant Principal and Athletic Director, formerly the Middle and High school Health and PE teacher.  I enjoy hiking with my dog, Rambo, climbing, biking, running, white water rafting and most of all snowboarding. I also enjoy strength training, boxing and HIIT. You will most likely find me doing one of these things.  I grew up in Leelanau County, Michigan, and received my bachelor's in Health Science Education with a minor in Kinesiology from Central Michigan University.  I received my master's from Grand Canyon University in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages).  I also have a background in Special Education (Special Education Generalist) while I taught Therapeutic Recreation at a residential treatment facility in Westminster called Devereux Cleo Wallace. I've since completed my Educational Specialist Degree (EdS) in Educational Leadership from University of Northern Colorado. 

I'm looking forward to another great school year. 

High School Assistant Principal

vmiller@prospectridgeacademy.org

Hello! My name is Von Miller and I am the high school assistant principal at Prospect Ridge Academy. I have my Master's degree in Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University and my bachelor's degree in Human Performance & Sport from the Metropolitan State University of Denver. Before coming to PRA, I was the dean of students at Stargate High School. Prior to working in administration, I was a PE/health teacher at the secondary level. I have also spent several years coaching high school cross country, track & field, and basketball all over the Denver metro area. At PRA, I am also the head track & field coach. In my free time, I enjoy being in the great outdoors with my family. I am excited to work with the PRA community. Go Miners!

 Contact me if you have questions regarding:

-HS School Assessments (CMAS, PSAT, SAT, NMSQT, AP)

-HS MTSS Tiers/Interventions/Supports

-Title IX

-HS Academic Recovery

-HS Student Code of Conduct

-5-Star Students Program

Business Operations Director

dmallett@prospectridgeacademy.org

I have over 10 years of experience in education and government budget and finance.  I holds a BA in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences and an MBA, both from the University of Colorado Boulder. 

Most recently I worked for the University of Colorado Boulder as the Associate Director of Capital Finance, leading long-range cash management and capital construction financing activities for the campus.  I was also the Assistant Dean for Budget and Finance for the College of Music on the Boulder Campus overseeing the school's $16 million budget, providing local human resources support and implementing the Dean's strategic plan.  Prior to working for CU I was the Operations Financial Manager at Adams 12 Five Star Schools.  In that role I managed $65 million in annual funding for Business Services and Information Technology Departments.  Throughout my career I have been responsible for budget development, accounting, payroll, human resources, facilities and other operational activities.  I am thrilled for the opportunity to bring all of his expertise and experience together to support PRA.

Outside of work my time is completely absorbed by my family.  I have a 5-year old coming to PRA next year and a baby.  I also spend time outside as much as possible hiking, biking, and other activities we can enjoy as a family.

Finance Manager

lcunningham@prospectridgeacademy.org

After earning my Bachelors in Business Management from the University of Phoenix, I entered the finance world to explore my passion for bookkeeping, financial compliance, and accounting. In December 2021, I joined Prospect Ridge Academy as the Finance Manager, where I'm primarily focused on day-to-day financial management of the school, financial reporting, and compliance. 

Over the course of my career, I’ve held finance positions for regional banks, numerous non-profits, a political finance consulting company and owned my own bookkeeping business. 

When I’m not counting beans, you can find me in my rose and vegetable gardens or participating in a community event with my family.

Human Resources Manager

csamora@prospectridgeacademy.org

I've thought long and hard about all the clever things I should tell you about me on this page. Except for my creativity definitely isn't in my writing.

I currently hold the position of Human Resources Manager at Prospect Ridge Academy. I am a dedicated management professional with extensive operations and human resources leadership experience in public education. I am responsible for talent acquisition, retention, and motivational solutions to help PRA with its most valuable assets - the people. I am dedicated to creating a culture that promotes continuous growth through training staff, recommending solutions to improve processes, and implementing effective programs to streamline operations, including the design and implementation of policies and procedures, as well as consistently assessing operational needs to ensure compliance with regulatory standards. Empowering and motivating our employees to realize their full potential and bring their best to PRA is my top priority. I have a bachelor's degree in Communications from the University of Arizona in Tempe, Arizona.

In addition to my passion for Human Resources, I also have a passion for Photography. I have been a portrait photographer for over 15 years, spending days chasing kiddos through the grass, snuggling sweet little newborns, telling families to laugh and tickle each other, and documenting brides and grooms-to-be as they show their love for each other. Mostly I'm just attempting to stop time with my little black box. I believe the unique human interactions I have experienced through photography parallel my ability to create an environment at PRA that is supportive and safe for each and every staff member.

I'm a busy mom to two beautiful girls and one handsome boy. I love to travel and experience different cultures and lands. I love camping high in the mountains and enjoying lazy days on the lake. I have a wild need for adventure on a snowmobile in Grand Lake or a UTV in Moab. In all honesty, I just love to be outdoors, enjoying all life has to offer with my family and friends!

Facilities Manager

mmckenzie@prospectridgeacademy.org

Matt has been the Facility Manager at PRA since 2018. Matt has a custodial team and is tasked with campus cleaning, maintenance, work tickets, vendor management, ordering supplies, small construction projects and general upkeep of the PRA campus.

Matt has dedicated a large amount of his professional career as a Facility Manager at PRA, Denver Public Schools and the private sector. Matt spent his secondary schooling at Red Rocks Community College and MSU denver studying history and construction management. 

Matt lives in Thornton and has 2 kids that attend PRA. In his free time he enjoys building things things and learning new trade skills. 

IT Manager

I come to PRA with more than 20 years’ experience in the field of Information Technology, including networking, Cloud and Virtual Machine infrastructure and End user support.

Nerd, Geek of all IT… Baseball Coach.

Certifications include:  CCNA, MCSA, CompTia A+ and Network +, Hyper V and AWS.

Community Operations Director

pkelly@prospectridgeacademy.org

Patricia Kelly currently holds the position of community operations director at Prospect Ridge Academy responsible for the front office, attendance, substitute management, communications, community events, branding and fundraising for the school. Patricia has owned and operated a marketing agency, consulted with businesses and agencies and held several executive leadership roles leading marketing, creative and content teams to solve marketing challenges for media, business to business and educational enterprises including the Nielsen Company, Meritech, Forethought.net, Pikes Peak Community College, and the University of Colorado. 

Patricia has a Masters of Integrated Marketing Communications from the University of Colorado at Boulder, a Bachelors of Arts and Bachelors of Fine Arts for graphic design from Colorado State University. She is a Return Peace Corps Volunteer who served in Russia and previously served as treasurer on the City of Lafayette Arts and Culture Commission.

Patricia’s awards include: AIGA design award, Ozzies Best Web Design, Eddies Best Editorial Content, DMDF Direct/Interactive recipient from the Direct Marketing Educational Foundation, International Rotary recipient, Public Choice award for Public Arts, City of Lafayette See and Respond Honoree 2017 & 2019. 

Patricia is most proud of being a mom of two twice exceptional children, Josephine and Gabriel. 

Communications & Engagement Manager

dwilson@prospectridgeacademy.org

David Wilson comes to Prospect Ridge Academy after spending the past eight years working in higher education as an Athletic Communications professional, most recently as the Assistant Athletic Director for Communications at Regis University in Denver (2022-24). During his time with the Rangers, Wilson served on the athletic department's administrative team and managed the communication efforts for the institution's 12 intercollegiate programs. His duties included, but were not limited to, website management, creative content, social media coordinator, event planning and management, marketing and public relations.

Prior to his time with Regis University, Wilson served three years (2019-2022) in the same role as the Assistant Athletic Director-Communications at Fort Lewis College in Durango. Wilson received his start in Athletic Communications in the fall of 2016, serving three years (2016-19) as the Sports Information Director at Cloud County Community College in Concordia, KS.

A native of Penrose, Colo., Wilson is a first-generation college student who graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in 2012 with a bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communications. He returned to UNC in 2015 to earn a master's degree in Sport Administration.

Away from work, Wilson is an avid golfer, enjoys going to concerts, and is an amatuer race car driver.