Leadership

Lis Richard
Interim Principal

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Lis Richard is a passionate educator with a love for leading schools to excellence. With over 32 years in education, she has been in educational leadership for 17 years serving as principal and the last three years in the superintendency. Her tenure in administration has been one of wonderful success leading some top-performing schools.
Her sixteen years in the classroom at various levels has helped to shaped her leadership values. Twice she has received “Teacher of the Year” awards and is a recognized educational consultant and trainer in the Western United States.
Mrs. Richard has earned two undergraduate degrees in education and theory of education. She holds a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Colorado Christian University and is currently working toward a doctorate with a specialty in K-12 curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Mrs. Richard is an author and trainer for Character First. She also has extensive leadership training apart from her degrees. She is now working on writing projects in the field of education.
She and her husband enjoy living in Southwest Colorado. Lis is a fourth generation Chappell (long line of farmers) and is very happy to be back with family. She and her husband enjoy riding their motorcycles all over the state and love spending time with their 13 grandchildren.

Mr. Schmitt is a career educator who began his career as a middle school teacher and a high school boys basketball coach. Schmitt is a Colorado native and a graduate of Dolores High School. After high school he earned his BA in US History and Secondary Education and went on to receive his MA from Grand Canyon University in Educational Administration. For the past 8 years Mr. Schmitt has worked in the new school development, operations, and administration of online and blended charter schools in numerous states throughout the country. Justin and his wife Erin have been blessed with three very active children and they spend the majority of their time coaching and cheering them on at their various sporting events. They also enjoy traveling and  pending time in the beautiful outdoors of Southwest Colorado. Justin is excited to return to Dolores Secondary and is looking forward to supporting its staff and students as they continue to work toward making Dolores Secondary a school of distinction.