Gdowski Named 2026 Colorado Superintendent of the Year

The Colorado Association of School Executives (CASE) is proud to announce Chris Gdowski, Superintendent of Adams 12 Five Star Schools, as the 2026 Colorado Superintendent of the Year.

A high school graduate of the district he leads, Gdowski has served as superintendent since 2009 and is recognized for his unwavering commitment to equity, student success, and community partnership. Under his leadership, Adams 12 Five Star Schools has made substantial progress in improving graduation rates and expanding opportunities for Hispanic and low-income students, while strengthening trust and collaboration across a diverse community.

Lori Goldstein, President of the Adams 12 Board of Education, noted that Gdowski goes above and beyond to support Colorado education both within and outside the district. She has witnessed him lead with humility and integrity, Goldstein wrote in her recommendation letter for Gdowski’s nomination.

“He presents at conferences, contributes to the League of Innovative Schools, and has earned the respect of education leaders across the country,” Goldstein said. “Most importantly, he has dedicated the majority of his professional life to Adams 12, shaping its success and strengthening its community…His vision, humility, and unwavering commitment to students and staff make him not only deserving of this honor in Colorado, but a model of excellence on the national stage.”

Gdowski has guided the passage of two major local funding measures, expanded career and technical education pathways, and championed innovative supports for multilingual learners and educators. Adams 12 Five Star Schools serves nearly 35,000 students across 56 schools in one of the most linguistically and culturally diverse districts in Colorado.

CASE congratulates Chris Gdowski on this well-deserved honor and celebrates his leadership, dedication, and impact on public education in Colorado.

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