KEVIN PURFURST

Kevin Purfurst (pronounced Pur - first) is a summa cum laude graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, with emphases in American and Comparative Politics. Upon graduation, he was selected from 46,000 applicants to join Teach for America Colorado. He is committed to ensuring that one day, all students receive a high-quality education and to developing educational equity in his work.

Kevin spent two years teaching English and Social Studies at West High School in Denver Public Schools. In the classroom, Kevin served as a videotaped exemplar teacher for DPS’ LEAP teacher effectiveness and evaluation framework. His students posted significant gains in reading and writing, working towards closing the achievement gap. During that time he also earned a Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Colorado at Denver, with emphases in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education, as well as Urban Leadership.

Kevin then began teaching at Prairie View High School in 27J Schools. He served as a Social Studies teacher, Student Leadership adviser, and Instructional Coach for School Climate and Culture. This work included assisting in the development of a school climate and culture plan designed to make PVHS a more welcoming environment for all stakeholders. During this time he completed the Principal Licensure program through Regis University.  

Following his time at PVHS, Kevin served as the Assistant Principal at Prairie View Middle School. His work at PVMS focused on developing culture and systems around continuous improvement, with particular focus on developing a shared vision of both planning and instruction, as well as climate and culture. This work included high-quality, student-centered coaching to improve teacher planning and instruction towards better student outcomes. Furthermore, his work included the implementation of a set of research-based, social-emotional learning programs and staff culture practices aimed at improving the climate and culture at PVMS. In the 2018-2019 school year, PVMS earned a Performance rating from the Colorado Department of Education on the School Performance Framework, the highest possible rating, and the first time PVMS had received that designation in its ten-plus year history.

In the spring of 2019, Kevin was honored to be selected to lead the opening of 27J Schools' newest elementary school, located in the Brighton Crossings neighborhood of north-east Brighton. Padilla Elementary School serves students in PK-5. Kevin spent the 2019-2020 school year planning for the opening of the school. The goal for Padilla was to establish a culture that would encourage students, staff, and the community to be courageous, inclusive, and intentional in their pursuit of educational equity. 

Padilla's opening was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so Kevin spent the 2020-2021 school year serving as the principal of North Elementary School. During that year, it was announced that North would be repurposed and the PK-5 program moved out of the building due to declining enrollment. Kevin's focus during that year was to ensure that staff were supported in providing high-quality instruction to students despite the challenges of teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to help maintain a strong climate and culture despite the closure of North.

Padilla Elementary School finally opened for the 2021-2022 school year. Staff and students have worked hard to establish high quality planning and instruction, along with a strong climate and culture. For three consecutive years, Padilla has earned a Performance rating from the Colorado Department of Education on the School Performance Framework, the highest possible rating. Additionally, the total score that Padilla earned on the School Performance Framework made Padilla the highest rated elementary school in Brighton, Colorado. For the 2024 School Performace Framework, Padilla was the highest performing school in all of 27J Schools. 

Kevin spends his free time with great friends and family, including his wife Amanda and his step-son Ayden. He enjoys exploring Colorado's outdoors with day hikes to alpine lakes in the summer and snowboarding in the winter.