MEET THE PRINCIPALS
MR. MILLER
Dear Cherokee Trail Elementary Community,
At Cherokee Trail Elementary, our promise is to prepare our students to navigate and transfer their learning to solve real-world problems. We empower our students to understand themselves as learners, know their passions, and advocate within the global community. We truly believe in our Mission Statement - Every Student, Every Day, Whatever it Takes.
We look forward to your active involvement and participation to make your child's experience memorable and complete. We welcome your questions and feedback.
Josh Miller, Principal
About Mr. Miller
My name is Josh Miller and I am the proud Principal of Cherokee Trail Elementary. Coming from a family of educators (my mother was a principal and my grandfather was a superintendent), I feel as though education is in my blood. My true passion is students and watching them grow as learners. I began my college experience at Oregon State University but finished my degree in Exercise and Sport Science with a teaching certificate at Colorado State University. I spent most of my teaching career in Adams 12 District, starting at Federal Heights Elementary, serving highly impacted students and then I had the opportunity to open a brand new school as a teacher at Silver Creek Elementary. It was there that I finished my Master’s degree and got my Administration certification from the University of Denver. I made the jump into administration back again in a highly impacted area at North Mor Elementary. After a year there, I decided to move south to DCSD and joined Pine Lane Elementary as an assistant principal. I worked at Pine Lane for three years learning along the way. Being grateful for the time I spent at PLE, I was fortunate enough to stay in the Chaparral feeder and take over as principal of Cherokee Trail in 2014, which is my dream job. I feel extremely lucky to be the Principal here at this school and be a part of this community.
MRS. ORMSBY
My name is Deborah Ormsby and I am excited to be the Assistant Principal of Cherokee Trail Elementary. During college I discovered that I enjoyed (and was good at) working with students. I am passionate about helping students reach their fullest potential and supporting them to become amazing young adults - both academically and socially. Growing up I spent a significant amount of time in Germany which has developed an appreciation and value of all our students and their backgrounds.
I began my college career at Colorado Christian University where I earned two degrees in Music. I went on to CU Boulder where I received a Masters in Germanic Studies. I then studied education at Metropolitan State University Denver and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education at Colorado State University. Finally, I got my Administration certification and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Denver.
I spent my teaching career in the Adams 12 Five Star Schools District. I began by teaching German at Mountain Range High School and then later taught German and English Language Development at Thornton and Northglenn Middle Schools. I was fortunate to begin my administration career in the Chaparral Feeder where I was a Dean of Students at Chaparral High School for six years. I then moved into the Assistant Principal role at Englewood Middle School prior to joining CTE.
Believe it or not, being involved in some capcity at Cherokee Trail has been my dream job since my oldest son became a student at CTE 9 years ago! CTE is a very special place because of our students, community, and amazing staff and we are excited to welcome your student!,
Deborah Ormsby, Assistant Principal