Rocky Mountain High School will welcome a familiar face into a new position next year as Ms. Stewart officially steps into the role of assistant principal. After spending this school year as a dean, Stewart says she is excited to continue building relationships with students and staff while taking on new leadership responsibilities throughout the school.
Although she is new to Rocky, Stewart has already made an impression on many students and staff. For Stewart, education has not just been about academics, but it has always been about helping people grow.
“I wanted my time to matter,” Ms. Stewart said. “I like working with people and with kids.”
Stewart explained that her interest in education began long before college. Growing up with two younger brothers, who are 11 and 13 years younger than her, she spent much of her teenage years around younger children. Even in high school, she noticed she naturally connected well with kids.
However, she did not immediately know that education would become her career. It was not until she began taking introductory education classes in college that things began to click.
After teaching for six years, Stewart decided to briefly step away from education to explore a different career path in corporate America. While she gained leadership experience and valuable professional skills, the transition ultimately helped confirm that education was where she truly belonged.
“When I worked in corporate America, I stopped caring about what I was doing for a living,” Stewart explained. “I missed feeling like what I did mattered. Not that corporate jobs don’t matter, but for me, the work didn’t feel meaningful in the same way.”
“In education, everyone is really working toward a common goal, which is student success,” she said. “I love the mentality of educators. I love why educators are doing this.”
After returning to education, Stewart got her master’s degree in educational leadership through the CSU principal licensure program. She interned in several schools across the district before eventually applying for the dean position at Rocky.
Now, after only one year in the building, she will transition into the assistant principal role.
“It’s been my favorite year of my career working here at Rocky,” Stewart said. “So the idea that I get to continue that work in this new role is really exciting.”
As dean, Stewart spent much of her time directly helping students navigate challenges. Whether students were struggling academically, dealing with conflicts with peers, or facing difficulties at home, Stewart viewed her office as a place for support.
She hopes to continue building opportunities for students while also celebrating the teachers and staff members who make Rocky unique.
“I love spirit weeks. I love getting students involved,” Stewart said. “But I also think it’s important to celebrate staff because they work incredibly hard.”
A sense of community is something Stewart hopes to continue strengthening as assistant principal. She emphasized that one of her biggest goals is simply to support both students and staff in meaningful ways.
“I just want to be helpful,” she said. “I want people to feel like my being here is a value add.”
Outside of school leadership, students may be surprised to learn that Stewart has a creative side. During high school, she was heavily involved in theater and even played lead roles in productions. If she had not pursued education, she believes she may have tried acting or performing professionally in places like New York or Los Angeles.
“I definitely would have auditioned for shows or plays,” she said.
Stewart also described herself as a “big Swiftie,” a Disney fan, and someone who enjoys football. One item on her bucket list is seeing the Northern Lights, while another is attending the Kentucky Derby, complete with a fancy hat and dress.
Despite her busy professional life, Stewart says much of her free time now revolves around her family and her two young daughters. Her ideal weekend includes slow mornings with coffee, homemade breakfasts like cinnamon rolls, outdoor activities, and Disney movie nights.
As Rocky prepares for next school year, Stewart says she is excited to continue learning, growing, and building trust within the school community. Though she acknowledges that stepping into a new leadership role comes with challenges, she sees those challenges as opportunities.
“I’m still newer in the building,” she said. “But I’m excited to keep building those relationships.”
Above all else, Stewart wants students and staff to know that her office is always open.
“Don’t be shy,” she said. “Please stop by.”
