Dear Raider Families:

Welcome to the 22-23 school year!  Staff have been working hard to plan and prepare for our students and are excited to meet them soon.  This year we are continuing to build our community of excellence through utilizing strong instructional practices and creating a culture of care and trust for our students, staff, and families. We are excited to be a part of the Sand Creek Zone and all of the wonderful opportunities and support that comes with it.  I am also happy to announce our new assistant principal, Lori McCoy, and our Dean of Instruction, Kay Rudy, who have joined the Stetson team.

I welcome your involvement in your child’s education and encourage you to find ways to connect with our school and your child's teacher.  Consider volunteering in our classrooms or library, joining PTA or attending our School Accountability Committee (SAC) meetings where you can learn more about these two organizations and have a voice in these groups.  Get to know your child’s teacher through open lines of communication to better allow you to work in partnership to support your child's success at school.  

This is my fourth year as principal at Stetson. I have been an educator for over 23 years as a teacher, school counselor, RtI coordinator, and an assistant principal. I believe all children can learn and succeed, and it is through a collaborative effort amongst school, families, and community that this will be achieved. My goal is to model the beliefs and mission of Stetson Elementary to provide a highly engaging and rigorous learning environment built and maintained on positive and supportive relationships amongst all stakeholders.  

My philosophy of education is to support the whole child.  I believe that social-emotional and physical wellness are critical to academic success and must be a part of a well-rounded education.  This has been my mission since I began my teaching career in Fairfax, VA. The US Navy then took me to Norfolk, VA to teach and then to Colorado Springs where I taught in Harrison School District 2. After earning my counseling degree I took a position as a school counselor and resource coordinator at Divine Redeemer Catholic School. From there I became the school counselor at Douglass Valley Elementary School on the United States Air Force Academy in Academy District 20.  Prior to coming to Stetson, I was at Prairie Hills Elementary where I served as the assistant principal for six years. I have a BS in Elementary/Middle School Education, an MA in Human Services and Counseling, and a MEd in Administrative Leadership. I am the proud mom of three young adults who are all Sand Creek High School graduates: My son works in the Lewis-Palmer school district, his twin sister is a junior at UNC, and my oldest daughter is in her second year of law school in Iowa. They are by far my best accomplishment!

I look forward to continuing building strong and positive relationships with the students, staff, and families of Stetson Elementary, and I welcome your support, questions, and feedback. Through a strong, respectful partnership we will continue to build a community of excellence to ensure Stetson Elementary is the best school to learn, to work, and to lead. Go Raiders!

In partnership,

Beth Dowdy

Principal