Press Release
April 17, 2008
Principal Named for Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy
Denver Public Schools (DPS) Superintendent Michael Bennet today named Diana Howard as the principal of the Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy when it opens in the fall of 2009.
"Diana is a passionate educator focused on children's learning and on the creation of environments that assure continuous learning progress and success," said Superintendent Michael Bennet. "She has a strong proven track record of leading successful school reform and we are confident that Diana's vision, instructional knowledge, and passion for student success will be instrumental in creating a premier Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy." Howard, currently the principal at Polaris at Ebert, emerged as the top pick due to her leadership experience, commitment to students, and strong vision for the future of the new school. During her tenure at Polaris at Ebert, she infused arts throughout the school's curriculum and has used grants to fund artists-in-residence in theater, photography and dance. With twenty-two years of experience in education, Howard has served twelve years as principal serving identified highly gifted and high achieving students.
"Designing Kunsmiller as a creative arts academy will be an exciting project for me, our parents and many in the arts community," said Howard, "Our intent will be to create a school environment so rich with learning in and through the arts that children's efforts become increasingly more skilled, imaginative and fulfilling."
Howard's appointment will take effect on July 1, 2008, which gives the new principal a full year to plan - with input from the community, administration and industry leaders - a successful academic program for the Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy. The new school will open for the 2009-2010 school year. For more information, please contact the Communications Office at (720) 423-3414.