My name is Brian Gauthier, and I am the new principal at Ponderosa Elementary. I am excited to join the Panther Family, and I am looking forward to meeting you all over the 2024 - 2025 school year. We will have many opportunities to interact, but I would like to introduce myself briefly prior to students arriving.

I was born and raised the Denver Metro area. Most of my childhood and schooling was in Jeffco Public Schools, and I am a graduate of Chatfield Senior High School. My professional career as an educator has taken me around the world from Uganda, to California, to Colorado, to Washington State a couple times and now back to Colorado. Over the course of my time as an educator I've taught or been an administrator for students from Preschool to 8th Grade. I have learned that all students are looking for adults that care, are excited to see them each day, and will support them in their search for their specific pathway in life.

I am coming to Ponderosa from the state of Washington, just south of Seattle, where I have spent eight years as an Elementary Principal, and one year as a Middle School Principal. Each of those years were in schools very similar to Ponderosa, and I already feel welcomed and at home in the building as I am meeting the staff, and some students/families.

I know we will have a great year, but before we start teaching and learning, we are inviting everyone to our annual Meet 'n' Greet and Ice Cream Social on Thursday, August 8, 2024, from 4pm - 6pm. This is an opportunity for all students to meet their teacher, visit their classroom, and to meet other families in Ponderosa community.

MEET 'N' GREET & ICE CREAM SOCIAL -- THURSDAY, AUGUST 8TH 4pm - 6pm

Sincerely,

Mr. Brian Gauthier (he/him/his)

Principal

Ponderosa Elementary