Poudre School District is pleased to announce the next principal of Poudre Global Academy (PGA) will be Kristy Grinnell.
Grinnell comes to PSD from Washington state, where she served as a high school assistant principal, an elementary principal, and worked in multiple administrative and teaching roles serving various grade levels. She has coordinated several academic programs and has experience with online learning.
“PGA is exactly the type of school I was hoping to find in my move to Colorado, and I feel extremely lucky to be joining the staff,” Grinnell said.
Poudre Global Academy’s blend of online and in-person learning for students in elementary, middle, and high school requires a principal with a diverse skill set. The perfect candidate to lead PGA had to excel in serving all grade levels, understand the unique nature of hybrid instruction, and lead school staff in providing a personalized learning experience for students, according to PSD Assistant Superintendent Dr. Traci Gile.
“Kristy Grinnell brings those skills as well as experience innovating and furthering parent partnerships. We were impressed with her approach to creating educational opportunities for students to meet them where they are as individuals,” Gile said. "Kristy’s experience across K-12 schools as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal make Kristy an excellent fit to work with and lead the PGA community.”
Despite growing up in a family of educators, Grinnell originally planned a career outside of education. She worked as a chemist but quickly found that life in a lab wasn’t for her and returned to school to become a chemistry teacher. She has a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s in education, administration, and supervision.
“As a leader and colleague, I strive to lead by example, be an open communicator, be flexible and focus on strengths to create strong relationships and team excellence. I lead with a genuine commitment to serving the best interests of all members of the community,” Grinnell said.
Grinnell has two daughters, Haleigh and Hope, who are both attending universities in Colorado and plan to settle in the state after earning their degrees. When she’s not working, she loves spending time with her family, being outside, and going on adventures with her two huskies. She enjoys running events and participated in the Portland to Coast/Hood to Coast relays for 10 years.