The Colorado Association of School Boards honored Salida School Board Director Dr. Jodi Breckenridge Petit with the McGuffey Award presented during the school board meeting on October 8, 2024. The award honors board members from across the state who bring committed and passionate service to their board work.
Director Jenn Schuchman shared the following about Director Breckenridge Petit:
Dr. Breckenridge-Petit joined the Salida School Board before the pandemic and has been a key figure in transforming our educational landscape. She led the redesign of graduation requirements, implemented a new strategic plan, and forged a vital partnership with Colorado Mountain College, enabling 50% of our students to enroll in concurrent courses.
During the pandemic, Dr. Breckenridge-Petit ensured our schools stayed open for in-person instruction. She stepped in personally to cook, clean, and serve meals when needed and substituted in our preschool to keep it running. Her dedication to students, particularly those at risk, is evident in her roles as a mentor and substitute teacher.
Beyond her board duties, Dr. Breckenridge-Petit has taught English as a second language and supports student communication at Horizons Exploratory Academy. With a Ph.D. in educational leadership, she brings extensive experience in teaching and management as the managing member of Garfield Syndicate.
Her volunteer work includes the Nurturing Parent Program and Chaffee County Community Foundation, alongside her role as a seamstress for Salida Boy Scout Troop 60. Dr. Breckenridge-Petit and her husband, Brian, are proud parents of three sons serving in the military.
Salida Schools thanks Dr. Breckenridge Petit for her continued service to the district, and congratulates her on being honored with this award.
The Salida School District Board of Education has been served by many outstanding directors, and in recent years has brought home several McGuffey awards, including Jeannie Peters in 2022 and Carrie Mattix in 2023.
Board members are considered based on the following criteria:
· The board member been actively and positively engaged in the work of the board
· The board member has gone above and beyond in their role and responsibilities
· The board member actively served the community
· Major milestone the board member accomplished
· The board member demonstrated their focus on serving all children in the district
· Is a positive influence with other members of the school
· Attends professional development activities relating to the work of the board
· The board member continues to engage in advocacy efforts for the district
First published in 1836, the McGuffey Readers were a series of seven books with stories and poems that taught reading and grammar to students as well as help them develop good character qualities. It was one of the most widely used and influential textbooks of its time in transferring knowledge and the virtues required to fulfill the responsibilities of citizenship in a free society.
For additional information please contact Kim LeTourneau at 719-530-5225 or kletourneau@salidaschools.org.