Administrators

COVA’s administrators have extensive experience in serving public and private enterprise. Together they provide a strong backbone for the day-to-day operations of the Colorado Virtual Academy.

Kathryn A.T. Knox, Ph.D., Senior Director of Curriculum and Instruction and K-8 Principal
Kathryn is delighted to be part of this vibrant community of students, parents, and teachers. She has spent most of her professional life in education and is in her fifth year with COVA. She believes online education provides rigor, choice, and flexibility for students in public education. Dr. Knox has been a junior high English and French teacher, an ESL instructor, and a writing instructor in Japan. She also worked at Colorado State University in three different departments, including Project Promise. Her master’s degree is in Linguistics and ESL; her doctorate is in Teacher Education and Staff Development. She was the first headmaster of Liberty Common School, the first charter school in northern Colorado and a John Irwin School of Excellence. She has also been a school and principal professional developer, a Core Knowledge trainer, and a national Quantum Learning professional developer. She worked in school development and improvement with the administration and teaching staff of charter schools around the state during a two-year period under a Colorado Department of Education Charter Schools Dissemination Grant.

Judy Bauernschmidt, Director/Principal of Secondary Education

Judy has been an educator for over nineteen years, and worked in Adams Twelve Five Star Schools for as many years. Mrs. Bauernschmidt joined COVA in its second year in 2002. She started her career as a middle school science teacher and served as department head, and has seven years of classroom teaching experience. Mrs. Bauernschmidt earned her bachelor’s degree in Earth Science with an endorsement in secondary education from the University of Northern Colorado. She earned her master’s degree in education administration and Supervision from the University of Phoenix in 1998 and currently holds a Colorado Principal License. Before her employment at COVA, Mrs. Bauernschmidt held positions in the Adams Twelve School District as a teacher, dean of students, and assistant principal at the middle school and highs school levels. During her years at COVA she has served as a teacher, dean, and middle school principal. In January 2008, Mrs. Bauernschmidt was recruited by Douglas County School District to consult and assist in the development of their online school. She returned to COVA in July 2008 to oversee middle school and high school and is very happy to be back working for the top online school in Colorado.

Melyssa Dominguez, Director of Elementary Family Support and COVA Teacher
Melyssa has more than 19 years of experience in education. She has directed children’s programs, taught reading and math, and consulted to the education industry. She has been with COVA since the school’s inception in the fall of 2001. Ms. Dominguez earned a Bachelor of Arts (summa cum laude) from Metropolitan State College of Denver. She is a licensed teacher in Colorado and has home schooled her two children since 1998.

Nadine McHugh, Director of Special Education
Nadine received her B.S. degree from Mankato State University, an M.A. in Learning Disabilities from the University of Northern Colorado, and a doctorate in Educational Administration from the University of South Dakota. She has three decades of experience at all levels of education, kindergarten through university.

Heidi Heineke-Magri, Director of Assessment and Accountability
Heidi has more than 16 years of experience in education, working with students of all ages and ability levels. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and teaching credentials from Regis University in Denver, Colorado. In addition, she holds a master’s degree in education from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, focusing on Curriculum and Assessment, and received her administration credentials from the University of Denver.

Laura Ridings, Response to Intervention (RTI) Coordinator
Laura has been with COVA since 2002. Her experience with COVA contributes to the 17 years she has spent working in public and private education. She specializes in elementary education and several areas of special education. Her credentials include a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a master’s degree in Special Education, ages 5-21, and four teaching endorsements. In addition to her education, she relies on her personal experience in raising a child with special needs and schooling at home to give parents effective support and resources.