Meet the Team

THE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING TEAM

View the Professional Learning Department Organization Chart

Julia LeGrand

Director

Dawn Menard

Leadership Development Coordinator

Julia LeGrand is passionate about empowering students, staff, and the community to create equitable educational environments through evidence-based practices. Throughout her 20 year career in education, she has served as a teacher, curriculum designer, instructional coach, instructional specialist, and assistant principal. She is skilled at using multiple forms of data to inform pedagogical practices and enhance student outcomes. She also loves building inclusive communities where folx belong and achieve more than they think possible. Outside of work, you can find Julia in the mountains with her family, biking, snowboarding and wildflower collecting.

With 23 years of dedicated service in education, Dawn has built a career focused on fostering success and inclusivity for diverse student populations. After five years as an assistant principal and six years as a principal, Dawn has honed a deep understanding of effective school leadership, creating environments where every student feels supported, safe, and encouraged to thrive. Known for leading with empathy and vision, Dawn has recently supervised talented professionals, and is passionate about cultivating a culture of learning and collaboration within educational communities.
An alumnus of the University of Denver, Dawn is thrilled to be back in APS where her career began as a classroom teacher and instructional coach. Dawn remains committed to educational growth and is eager to make a broader impact through district-level leadership. In every role, Dawn brings a balance of strategic insight and relational leadership, continuously seeking new opportunities to uplift and inspire the next generation of educators and students alike.

Caty Husbands

Mentoring and Induction Specialist

Caty has been in education for over twenty-five years and has held a variety of positions including: a college World History instructor, concurrent enrollment/high school Social Studies teacher, advisor for first generation college students, instructional coach, school administrator, and Culturally Responsive Education specialist. Most recently, she worked at Colorado Department of Education as a Senior Field Consultant. Outside of her employment history, she was also elected to the Englewood Board of Education as well as the Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB) Board of Directors.Caty sees her work through a lens of equity. Her guiding question every day is, "What can I do today to make our educational system more equitable? Her international background growing up in Saudi Arabia, studying and working in Indonesia, and traveling much of the world as a child and an adult, helped her become the equity-focused educator she is today. She received a Bachelors degree in Cultural Anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley and a Masters degree in History from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and UCLA.She currently lives in Englewood with her husband, highschooler, her dog Ollie, and cats Hugo and Juno. Her eldest is currently in college at University of Colorado, Denver.When she is not working, she enjoys gardening, hiking, camping, and spending time on the ocean.

Michelle Salgado Mastache

Instructional Coach

Michelle Salgado is a dedicated and driven educator with experience in teaching, data analysis, and educational leadership. In her most recent role, Michelle led district-wide state and local assessments, where she synthesized data to monitor district performance and ensure alignment with strategic objectives. Prior to her role as a data specialist, Michelle spent several years as a teacher and coach, playing an integral part in curriculum development and adoption. Her passion for supporting underserved communities is evident in her work with Title I schools and multilingual students, a focus shaped by her own experiences as a multilingual learner. Michelle holds a master's in CLDE from Regis University and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in Leadership for Educational Equity at the University of Colorado Denver. Outside of her professional endeavors, Michelle enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, exploring new culinary experiences, and visiting national parks.

Daphne Stephens

Instructional Coach

Having over 20 years of classroom experience in grades 6th-8th, Daphne is beyond excited to join the Professional Learning Team as a lead coach! Prior to joining the PL Team, Daphne was a Teacher Partner at North Middle School before accepting the same position at South Middle School in the 2018-2019 school year. Daphne earned her BS in Secondary Education with an emphasis in English from the University of Northern Colorado. She also holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Denver in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. With a goal of supporting the creation of equitable, inclusive spaces for students and staff, Daphne is inspired by her amazing colleagues in APS who push her practice on a daily basis. In her spare time, Daphne enjoys reading, hiking, eating Ethiopian food and spending time with her family.

Lourdes Gonzalez

Instructional Coach

Lourdes "Lou" Gonzalez started her educational career in the Recovery School District in New Orleans, Louisiana through Teach For America. Lou began her career as a classroom teacher and has taught in grades 2nd through 5th grade. She continued her career in curriculum writing, data management, and mentoring new teachers to the profession in two charter school networks. Once Lou moved to Denver, she began working in literacy intervention, instructional coaching, mentoring school instructional leaders, and teaching professional development units in Denver Public Schools. After 14 years in the education world, she has continued her passion for supporting students and educators as a Lead Instructional Coach for the Professional Development Department of Aurora Public Schools in 2023. With her focus on teacher retention and student outcomes, Lou is excited for the next chapter of her career in supporting educators and students in Aurora Public Schools.

Mackenzie Hairston

Instructional Coach

A proud Colorado native, has recently stepped into the role of Lead Instructional Coach, bringing her passion for education and continuous improvement to the forefront. With a deep-rooted dedication to students and a passion for mathematics education, Mackenzie is committed to empowering educators and enhancing student outcomes across her home state. Mackenzie's enthusiasm for mathematics drives her mission to make math engaging and accessible for all learners through the belief in the power of mathematical thinking to solve real-world problems. Her journey into instructional coaching stems from her desire to make a broader impact on education. She recognizes the ripple effect of supporting teachers, ultimately benefiting countless students.

Angelica Preciado

Assistant - Professional Learning

Alba Martinez

Assistant - Director of Professional Learning