Dear Dr. Justina Ford Elementary Families,

I am absolutely thrilled and deeply honored to serve as the next principal of Dr. Justina Ford

Elementary School. Joining this incredible school community is a true privilege, and I cannot

wait to embark on this new journey alongside such dedicated staff and supportive families.

This year marks my 22nd in education—a journey that began in a high school history classroom

in Los Angeles, where I spent 14 years fostering a love of learning in my students. Over the past

seven years, I have served as an administrator and assistant principal at the high school, middle

school, and elementary levels. These experiences have strengthened my passion for building

strong, collaborative school communities where every student feels valued, challenged, and

inspired.

Beyond my professional life, I am a proud parent of four children: Jackson, our oldest, who is 22

years old; Trevor and Nathan, our twin boys in the middle–both 14; and our lone daughter Mia,

who is 9. These amazing individuals give me a deep appreciation for the joys and challenges of

education from both an educator’s and a parent’s perspective. I am also an avid sports fan, a

lifelong learner, and an enthusiastic reader—interests that shape my leadership approach and

fuel my commitment to continuous growth. Blending my love for sports and learning, I strive to

lead with the same heart, wisdom, and poise as two of my favorite college basketball coaches,

Mike Krzyzewski and John Wooden. Their commitment to developing the whole student and

leading with integrity serves as my guiding philosophy in both my professional and personal life.

I want to leave you with a powerful reminder of the legacy we all carry forward. Dr. Justina Ford

once said, “I am going to have to fight like a tiger against these people,” reflecting the resilience

she needed to overcome barriers as the first Black female doctor in Colorado. As I step into this

role, I am eager to connect with each of you this spring, working together to build upon the

excellence of our school and honor her extraordinary legacy.

Looking forward to an incredible journey ahead!

Colin Lynch

Principal, Dr. Justina Ford Elementary School

Ford Elementary School

Colin Lynch's Introduction Letter