Andrew Murphy has been a fixture in Denver Public Schools since 2009, but his "why" remains as fresh as it was his first day: guiding students to reach their full potential by making learning a personalized experience. As the Assistant Principal at Cheltenham Elementary, Andrew centers his work on the belief that students should have the privilege to drive their own journey.
"The successes belong to the students," Andrew said. "My hope is that I can provide unique experiences that allow students to learn from both successes and failures."
At Cheltenham, this means helping students become "contenders in all arenas." Andrew sees success as an individualized measure; while academic growth is the baseline, he places equal weight on social-emotional learning and executive functioning. For him, success is realized the moment a student attains a personal goal and immediately begins reaching for the next.
To turn this philosophy into practice, Andrew balances intentional systems with a constant willingness to pivot. As a lead on the attendance team for three years, he has consistently refined his strategies to better support families, most recently implementing grade-level SMART goals to ensure no student falls behind. He pairs this adaptability with a focus on data-driven planning, ensuring every instructional move is purposeful and aligned with the school's overall vision.
Andrew’s entire approach is built on three daily commitments, which he encourages all educators to embrace:
Prioritize Relationships: Use intentional systems like “check-in, check-out” and the “two by 10” strategy — spending two minutes a day for ten days to build a connection — to ensure every student feels a deep sense of belonging.
Plan with Intention: Create the space for collaborative planning and data analysis so that instructional moves are specifically designed to help students grow.
Remain a Learner: Stay curious and avoid the trap of complacency. By remaining a "critical consumer" of new, innovative strategies, educators can stay energized and directly impact student growth.
Andrew views serving his community as a privilege that comes with an immense amount of responsibility.
"When I have felt unsuccessful or down in the teaching profession, it has always been the passion to help my students and community succeed that keeps me motivated," he shared.
Thank you, Andrew, for your commitment to personalized leadership and your dedication to empowering students at Cheltenham Elementary!