Events

Meet the Finalists

Candidate 1: Michael Gard

Dr. Michael Gard brings more than two decades of experience spanning classroom teaching, campus leadership, district-level talent strategy, and operations. With a foundation in engineering and science education, Michael has consistently championed project-based and experiential learning—launching engineering and CTE pathways, mentoring award-winning robotics teams, and expanding access to college credit through inclusive AP and dual enrollment models.

As a high school leader, he guided a major curricular redesign grounded in data and community input, significantly broadening postsecondary opportunity for students. His experience also includes overseeing recruitment and leadership development at the district level and intentionally building expertise in facilities and transportation to deepen his operational fluency. Michael is a thoughtful, analytical leader who values transparency, collaboration, and strong support systems for students and staff. He is motivated by helping schools align vision, instruction, and operations to ensure every student graduates prepared for a meaningful future. Michael holds superintendent and principal authorizations in Colorado and teaching, principal, and superintendent licensure in Arizona. He lives in Phoenix, AZ.

Michael Gard Resume

Candidate 2: Dreher Robertson

Dreher Robertson brings a deep commitment to experiential learning, relational leadership, and student-centered systems. His career has been shaped by the Big Picture Learning model and by leading innovative alternative and residential schools in the Four Corners Area.. In Aztec, New Mexico, he led the transformation of a small alternative high school into a growing school of choice—expanding enrollment, strengthening school culture, and building meaningful partnerships, including collaboration with a local college to create authentic learning and teacher development pathways.

At the heart of his leadership is a belief that learning should be purposeful, interest-driven, and grounded in strong relationships. He is particularly passionate about helping students discover their competence and supporting educators through coaching and professional growth. Dreher’s experience spans instructional leadership, fundraising, operations, and social-emotional supports, and he is energized by building schools where both young people and adults thrive. Dreher has been living in the Durango area for more than a decade.

Dreher Robertson Resume

Community Engagement Opportunities

Your voices matter deeply in this decision and we have designed an inclusive interview process that will allow us to hear from all stakeholder groups. Students, faculty, staff, FLC representatives, and the Board will be meeting with candidates throughout the day and we invite families and community members to engage with our finalists on Wednesday, February 4 (Michael) and Thursday, February 5th (Dreher) from 6:00pm-7:00pm at Animas High School. 

We encourage all to take advantage of your opportunity to meet the candidates, ask questions, and learn more about their vision for Animas High School.

Share Your Feedback

The Search Committee will carefully review all stakeholder feedback as part of our comprehensive evaluation process. We are committed to selecting a leader who will honor our school's history and distinctive mission, strengthen our community, and guide Animas High School into an exciting next chapter marked by transformative learning experiences and lasting community connection.

Please support our commitment to community-informed decision making by completing an anonymous survey about your impressions of and insights on the candidates. A link to the feedback survey will be available at each session. Your thoughtful input will be instrumental in helping the Search Committee make a final recommendation to the AHS Board of Directors.

What's Next

Campus Visits: February 4th & 5th

Community Feedback Period: February 4th – 8th

Final Decision & Announcement: Late February/Early March

Meet the Finalists

Candidate 1: Michael Gard

Dr. Michael Gard brings more than two decades of experience spanning classroom teaching, campus leadership, district-level talent strategy, and operations. With a foundation in engineering and science education, Michael has consistently championed project-based and experiential learning—launching engineering and CTE pathways, mentoring award-winning robotics teams, and expanding access to college credit through inclusive AP and dual enrollment models.

As a high school leader, he guided a major curricular redesign grounded in data and community input, significantly broadening postsecondary opportunity for students. His experience also includes overseeing recruitment and leadership development at the district level and intentionally building expertise in facilities and transportation to deepen his operational fluency. Michael is a thoughtful, analytical leader who values transparency, collaboration, and strong support systems for students and staff. He is motivated by helping schools align vision, instruction, and operations to ensure every student graduates prepared for a meaningful future. Michael holds superintendent and principal authorizations in Colorado and teaching, principal, and superintendent licensure in Arizona. He lives in Phoenix, AZ.

Michael Gard Resume

Candidate 2: Dreher Robertson

Dreher Robertson brings a deep commitment to experiential learning, relational leadership, and student-centered systems. His career has been shaped by the Big Picture Learning model and by leading innovative alternative and residential schools in the Four Corners Area.. In Aztec, New Mexico, he led the transformation of a small alternative high school into a growing school of choice—expanding enrollment, strengthening school culture, and building meaningful partnerships, including collaboration with a local college to create authentic learning and teacher development pathways.

At the heart of his leadership is a belief that learning should be purposeful, interest-driven, and grounded in strong relationships. He is particularly passionate about helping students discover their competence and supporting educators through coaching and professional growth. Dreher’s experience spans instructional leadership, fundraising, operations, and social-emotional supports, and he is energized by building schools where both young people and adults thrive. Dreher has been living in the Durango area for more than a decade.

Dreher Robertson Resume

Community Engagement Opportunities

Your voices matter deeply in this decision and we have designed an inclusive interview process that will allow us to hear from all stakeholder groups. Students, faculty, staff, FLC representatives, and the Board will be meeting with candidates throughout the day and we invite families and community members to engage with our finalists on Wednesday, February 4 (Michael) and Thursday, February 5th (Dreher) from 6:00pm-7:00pm at Animas High School. 

We encourage all to take advantage of your opportunity to meet the candidates, ask questions, and learn more about their vision for Animas High School.

Share Your Feedback

The Search Committee will carefully review all stakeholder feedback as part of our comprehensive evaluation process. We are committed to selecting a leader who will honor our school's history and distinctive mission, strengthen our community, and guide Animas High School into an exciting next chapter marked by transformative learning experiences and lasting community connection.

Please support our commitment to community-informed decision making by completing an anonymous survey about your impressions of and insights on the candidates. A link to the feedback survey will be available at each session. Your thoughtful input will be instrumental in helping the Search Committee make a final recommendation to the AHS Board of Directors.

What's Next

Campus Visits: February 4th & 5th

Community Feedback Period: February 4th – 8th

Final Decision & Announcement: Late February/Early March