Meet the Principal

Principal Joel Aviña

Hello Edgewater Families,

I am incredibly honored and thrilled to step into the role of Principal at Edgewater Elementary. Having spent the past year serving as your Assistant Principal, I have already fallen in love with this vibrant school community. I can say with absolute certainty that I have never worked with a more dedicated, expert group of teachers and educators who commit themselves every single day to the success of every student.

Now, for a little bit about myself.

I have been an educator for over 30 years, dedicated to helping students thrive. My journey began in the classroom, where I taught first-grade bilingual classrooms and English Language Development (ELD) at the middle school level. I also spent two years as an ELD support teacher, helping design systems to ensure our multilingual learners succeeded. From there, I transitioned into leadership, serving as an Assistant Principal for 5 years and an Elementary School Principal for 17 years—all in California.

Last year, my family and I made a long-held dream a reality by moving to beautiful Colorado, which brought me to Edgewater. My career has come full circle here, and I bring decades of leadership experience paired with a deep, personal passion for our school's mission.

My Beliefs and Commitments

The Power of Dual Language Learning I absolutely love the philosophy of dual language learning. In our increasingly global world, being bilingual and biliterate is a gift of immense value. This belief isn't just professional for me—it's personal. As a child, I attended a bilingual elementary school myself. I know firsthand the cognitive, cultural, and academic doors it opens, and I am committed to nurturing that environment for our Edgewater students.

Relationships and Connection I believe that a strong school is built on relationships. Students need to feel connected, safe, and deeply believed in by the adults around them to reach their fullest potential. You will see me out and about chatting with students in the cafeteria, checking in on classrooms, and connecting with all of you.

Partnership with Families School staff and families are true partners. We are at our best when we collaborate, listen, and grow together. I am always happy to interact with our families, and I invite you to share your ideas, hopes, and concerns with me. My commitment to you is to build deep trust through respectful interactions, active listening, and open communication.

We have a wonderful year ahead of us. Together as a community, we will continue to do great things for our kids!

Warmly,

Joel Aviña

Principal, Edgewater Elementary