Blake Hammond

Principal, Marie L. Greenwood Academy

Denver, Colorado

Fellow

Blake Hammond has had the opportunity to serve students in several educational landscapes throughout his career in education.

Blake began his career in education in 2009 when he joined Teach For America as a math teacher in Greenwood, Mississippi where he helped lead the transformational change of an elementary school that resided in the bottom 10 of schools across the state. Following his experience teaching in Mississippi, Blake returned to his alma mater, Colorado College, to work as an Assistant Director of Admissions with an emphasis on American Ethnic Minority recruitment.

Shortly after working to provide college access to underrepresented students at Colorado College, a top-tier liberal arts college, Blake completed his master’s degree at Teachers College, Columbia University, and then continued his work in education by joining Denver Public Schools.

During his eight-year tenure in DPS, Blake has served as a Teacher/Teacher Leader, Instructional Coach, Assistant Principal, and Principal.

For the past three years, Blake Hammond successfully served as Principal of Green Valley Elementary. Green Valley Elementary, the largest elementary school in Denver Public Schools that implements full inclusion of all students, serves a population of 800+ students from ECE to Fifth grade.

Based on his commitment and success serving students in Title I schools, Blake was recently named, and is now proudly serving as, Principal of Marie L. Greenwood (Early - 8th) in Denver Public Schools.

Blake believes that all students can succeed, regardless of their background or circumstance.

Noel Nieves

Senior Team Lead, Marie L. Greenwood

Denver, Colorado

ALLY

Noel Nieves is currently a Senior Team Lead at Marie L. Greenwood school in Denver, Colorado. During his career in education, he has served in many leadership roles including department head, athletic director, team specialist, and team leader. Noel was born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. He attended the University of Puerto Rico, obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education. He continued to pursue his master’s degree, securing a scholarship and teaching assistant position at Indiana State University. After college, Noel spent 12 years working as an educator in Florida and teaching physical education while obtaining leadership experience.

In 2010, Noel, along with his family, decided to move to Denver, Colorado to continue working in education. It was while working in Denver Public Schools that he had the opportunity to apply to join the Ritchie program, a program that prepares leaders for future opportunities of principalship within the district. He is currently being mentored through the program by his principal, Mr. Blake Hammond.

Noel Nieves has always strived to utilize his educational position to build positive relationships with students, parents, and staff at every school he has been a part of. His hopes are that the next step in leadership allows him an opportunity to continue to develop these relationships and engage the community in order to provide equitable opportunities for all students.