Leadership Team

List of 11 members.

• 

  George Moore 

  Head of School

  Bio

  Mr. Moore has been in independent school education for over 32 years. He began his career as a math/economics teacher and soccer coach at the Midland School, a small boarding school in Los Olivos, California. After earning his Masters degree, Mr. Moore worked for 12 years at the Bullis School in Potomac, Maryland, where he served successively as the chair of the math department and the Academic Dean while coaching the varsity boys' soccer team for nine years and teaching math every year. He came to Dawson in 2007 as the Director of Upper School and was appointed Head of School in 2012. During his time in that position, Mr. Moore has overseen an increase in enrollment, an expansion of the campus, a revision of Dawson’s strategic plan, a connection to the community, and a commitment to hiring exceptional faculty and staff dedicated to supporting Dawson students. 
  
  Education

  B.A. Economics, Pomona College

  M. Ed., Harvard University
• 

  Dr. David D'Ercole 

  Lower School Director

  Bio

  Dr. D'Ercole has served as an educational leader for almost two decades. In prior roles, "Dr. D" has served as an Elementary School principal in Colombia, Washington DC, China, and Kansas City. He loves spending time with his family, reading Science Fiction books, and spending his weekends outdoor rock climbing all over the front range. He feels so lucky to work with children and teachers every day and believes that the elementary school years are a truly magical time in one's life.

   

  Education

  B.S. Elementary, Education-Baker University

  M.Ed. Education, Administration-University of Massachusetts Lowell

  Ed.D Education, Administration-Nova Southeastern University
• 

  Jeff Ellenbogen 

  Director of Innovation and Technology

  Bio

  Mr. Ellenbogen is the Director of Innovation and Technology. His career in independent schools spans over 25 years, enriching the lives of students across all grade levels. Starting as a lower school science teaching intern at Potomac School in McLean, VA, he later transitioned into teaching Middle and Upper school mathematics for 15 years before pivoting toward technology leadership and has served as both IT Director and Director of Innovation and Technology during his time at Dawson.

   

  Jeff has always had a natural proclivity to explore new tools and to find ways to express himself creatively in a variety of media. As his career shifted from math toward technology, he has found joy in helping students, as well as colleagues, solve problems and construct their own learning pathways using a variety of technologies and tools. Providing students with authentic experiences where they guide their own learning pursuits has fueled his passion for Makerspace and Entrepreneurship education. He loves designing projects that give students opportunities to explore, iterate, and reflect on their work and to take ownership of their learning.

   

  Education:

  B.A. Economics, Brown University

  M.A. Computing in Education, Teachers College - Columbia University
• 

  Dr. Anne Hecox 

  Upper School Director

  Bio

  After teaching Shakespeare and composition at Washington University (St. Louis), the University of Colorado at Boulder, and the University of Northern Colorado, Dr. Hecox came to Dawson in 2001 as an Upper School English teacher. She was Academic Dean for 17 years and is now the Upper School Director. A Boulder County native, Dr. Hecox graduated from Boulder High School. She has taught and studied twice in Germany under Fulbright and DAAD scholarships. Her three children, Willem (‘18), Katie (’21) and Julie (’23), all graduated from Dawson.

   

  Education

  B.A. English Literature and German Language with a minor in Music, Wellesley College 

  M.A. and Ph.D. English Literature, Washington University. 
• 

  Chris Ingwalson 

  Director of Marketing and Communications

  Bio

  Mrs. Ingwalson has been in marketing for more than twenty years. Her early career included domestic and international product marketing and digital media projects for brands like Horizon Organic, Lexus, Pentax, and Microsoft. In 2014 she moved to sales and marketing consulting, working with b2b healthcare, software, and telecom companies. Most recently, before coming to Dawson, she ran marketing and revenue operations for a healthcare training company, using virtual reality to train clinicians.
  
  

  Chris has also been a long-time supporter and volunteer for the American Heart Association, championing their Bring STEM to Life program, which provides mentorship and STEM experiences to underserved high school students in Colorado.
  
  Education

  B.A. Marketing with a minor in Political Science, University of Colorado at Boulder
• 

  William "Bill" Kettler 

  Chief Financial Officer

  Bio

  Mr. William Kettler is a seasoned Finance and Operations professional with over 24 years of experience. His career began with the founding and management of Expedient Title, a boutique title agency, where he built long-term partnerships with major financial institutions and drove significant revenue growth through strategic marketing initiatives. After the sale of Expedient Title, he transitioned to roles of increasing responsibility in operations and IT management, serving as Director of IT and Operations at Claimforce, where he enhanced productivity by 25% and implemented robust reporting systems for actionable insights.
  
  

  In 2020, Mr. Kettler joined Hillel Academy of Tampa as the Director of Finance and Operations, overseeing all financial functions for a school serving over 230 students. He managed multi-million-dollar capital projects as well as HR management, grant reporting, transportation logistics, and facilities oversight. His commitment to operational excellence and strategic vision have consistently driven organizational success across a variety of industries.
  
  Education
  

  
  B.A. Communications and Psychology, Ohio University
• 

  Jose Lopez 

  US Academic Dean / Spanish Teacher / Faculty Chair

  Bio

  Mr. Lopez taught Latin, Greek and Spanish at the Hotchkiss School (Lakeville, Connecticut) for four years prior to joining the Dawson faculty in 2004 as an Upper and Middle School Spanish teacher. During his time at Dawson he has taught all levels of upper school Spanish up through AP, as well as a Spanish film elective. He has served as World Languages Department Chair, Diversity Coordinator, Senior Class Advisor, Coordinator of the Transition to College Seminar, and he has assisted with the Spanish Immersion Program. Outside of the classroom Mr. Lopez has also been the assistant coach for the softball, baseball, and girls and boys tennis teams, as well as an assistant with the Upper School Robotics team.

   

  During his life, Jose has studied various languages, and during college studied in both Paris, France and in Rome, Italy, where he met his wife,  who is currently a Middle School English teacher at Dawson. They have two children. Their oldest, Canela, is a Dawson student in the class of 2028, and their youngest, Helena, is in the Dawson class of 2033.

   

  Education

  B.A. Double major in French and Classics (Latin and Ancient Greek), Middlebury College

  M.A. in Spanish with a focus on Teaching Methodology, Middlebury College 
• 

  Kristen Medler 

  Middle School Director

  Bio

  Ms. Medler has been working in the field of education for over 20 years. She began her career in Massachusetts, working for a decade in Salem Public Schools. While there, Ms. Medler developed after school programs for 4th and 5th graders, and wrote grants to fund summer programs for low-income students interested in building a school garden. In 2012, Ms. Medler graduated from Harvard University’s Mind, Brain, and Education (MBE) program. This program focused on educational neuroscience and how research can be translated into practice. Ms. Medler uses this knowledge as she supports neurodiversity in the Middle School. Entering her 11th year at Dawson, Ms. Medler has worked as a Lower School teacher, a Middle School English, Science, and Social Studies teacher, and Dean of Students. She is excited about incorporating her years of knowledge into her role as Middle School Director. When she is not working, Ms. Medler enjoys travel, baking, hiking, and participating in reading and writing circles.
  
  

  Education

  B.A. Double major in Education and Psychology at Worcester State University.

  M.A. in Mind, Brain, and Education, Harvard University. 
• 

  Anna Perry 

  Director of Operations

  Bio

  Ms. Perry serves as the Director of Operations at Dawson School, leveraging over 20 years of diverse experience across various industries. Along with her expertise in organizational management, talent development, and operational efficiency, she has dedicated five years as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), championing the best interests of children in the dependency court system. Ms. Perry is devoted to fostering a supportive and dynamic environment that aligns with Dawson’s mission and values.

   

  Education:
  B.A. Criminal Justice
  M.B.A.  Bryan College
• 

  Scott Schneider 

  Director of Admissions and Tuition Assistance

  Bio

  Mr. Schneider has 30 years of experience in independent education. Prior to joining the Dawson community, his early career included teaching AP courses, drama director, and varsity basketball coach. At Dawson, his roles have included serving as Athletic Director and Summer Camp Director. Scott has served in the admissions office for more than 10 years, and he also teaches AP United States Government and Politics.

   

  Scott is an avid runner, volunteers in political campaigns, and enjoys trivia. Most especially, he plays lead guitar in the Dawson faculty band, the Dress Code Infractions.

   

  Education

  B.S. in History with a concentration in Secondary Education and a minor in Political Science, Colorado State University
• 

  Carly Slagel 

  Director of Development

  Bio

  Ms. Slagel has been in education for more than 18 years. Her early career included working in student affairs on the East Coast, planning campus events, and creating a Student Leadership Society. In 2011, she began working in development at independent schools and has worked with parents, alumni, and grandparents to build a stronger school community.
  
  Carly has also been involved with the American Cancer Society, and their Relay for Life collegiate program as well as the National Society of Leadership and Success, which provides life-changing leadership programs that help students achieve personal growth, career success, and empowers them to have a positive impact in their communities.
  
  Education
  B.A. Political Science and International Studies