Meet Sheena McOuat | Founding Principal, CIVICA, Career and Collegiate Academy

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sheena McOuat and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Sheena, is there something you believe many others might not?
I have been in education for 21 years. I have taught in the public schools and have seen that there is a lot of need for different options for parents and students. Instead of becoming frustrated with the system, I decided to do something about it and formed a very strong team and started the process of opening a charter school. The piece of conventional advice that I disagree with is, wait until everything in your life is situated before you try big things. I believe that I am called, I respond and then I am equipped and just go day by day and step by step. You will never be ready if you take that approach.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I was a teacher for the past 20 years. I have worked with all ages and in many different settings. I believe that being in the trenches, it has prepared me to be a great leader as the principal, but also the skills I needed to be the founding board chair. When I started to notice that students were not graduating prepared for the world, or not graduating at all, I decided to see if I could offer something different. I also noticed that cell phones during the school day were ruining the education system. I knew that these students were not prepared to be our fathers, mothers, business owners, school board members, future Mayor’s. I knew that we had to not only educate them but prepare them with deep character and the skills to be strong members of our communities. Now we have 6th-9th graders in our building, doing just that. Preparing to be strong future leaders. At CIVICA Colorado, we are proud to stand for the Pledge, shake each other’s hand, be workforce ready in uniforms daily, learn a strong core curriculum, and mostly pursue an education where each student graduates with an industry certification and an internship to be prepared to pursue college or a career in the workforce.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would have to say a trip to Breckenridge in the fall. Spend the day in the hot tubs up on one of the peak. Have an amazing burger and fries at Eric’s and top the night off with a fresh bakes dessert at Clint’s bakery.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
When this journey began, about 3 years ago I knew that the Lord was calling me. I also knew that he was going to also equip me. With that knowledge, I just continued to put one foot in front of the other. I surrounded myself with 5 powerful people who are still by my side. Surround yourself with very intelligent people who think they can do anything. I know that my job is to protect and educate the children and this is my small way of doing that.
Website: civicaco.org
Facebook: Civica Colorado