Ms. Boyle brings over 25 years of educational admissions, marketing and fundraising experience to her role at Boulder Country Day. She is passionate about helping families find an educational fit for their children that will support and develop both their academic skills, passions and character.
When she is not working, Mrs. Boyle loves to travel. When home in her native Colorado, she loves spending time with her family, gardening, skiing, hiking and seeing live music.
Kath Courter
Head Preschool & Early Childhood Education Extended Day and Summer Programs
University of Minnesota B.S. Community Health Education Cameron University M.Ed. Early Childhood Education (Overseas Program, Frankfurt, Germany)
Ms. Courter has been at BCD since 2005. She spent two years teaching third grade at BCD before moving into the position of Preschool, Extended Day and Summer Programs Director. Ms. Courter’s educational background and experience include a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, a Bachelor’s Degree in Community Health Education, and 14 years of teaching experience (seven years in Boulder and seven years in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany) at both pre-kindergarten and elementary levels. She also spent five years as a mentor teacher supporting University of Colorado Master’s Degree candidates in their education by helping the students develop an understanding of educational theory and classroom practice.
When Ms. Courter is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and friends. She also enjoys running, hiking, biking, skiing, golf, reading, and cooking. An interesting note about Ms. Courter is that she is learning the sport of biathlon (Nordic skiing and rifle target shooting). Watch out! She is a terrible shot...
Mrs. Griffith brings close to twenty years of both professional and philanthropic expertise to her role as BCD’s Director of Development and Alumni Relations. In fact, her volunteer work organizing BCD’s Love of Technology and the Arts auction from 2005-2007 is what led to the school creating a position for her in the first place! Before moving to Boulder from California with her family, she worked in development for Pasadena’s Kidspace Children’s Museum and La Cañada’s The Learning Castle School. Mrs. Griffith has a decade of sales experience in publishing. Early in her career, Mrs. Griffith co-founded the Manhattan Beach chapter for Heal the Bay.
When she is not working, Mrs. Griffith likes gardening, landscaping, and helping friends re-design their gardens. She enjoys being outdoors and watching her three boys play soccer, baseball, and basketball.
Gabrielle Hernan
Chief Operating Officer
Macalester College B.A. International Studies B.A. Spanish American University M. Ed. Elementary Education
Prior to teaching at BCD, I enjoyed a two-year teaching fellowship in DC public schools as a part of the DC Teaching Fellows program. Before joining the BCD faculty, I also spent a year working for the Department of Education at the University of Colorado – go Buffs! If it is creative, innovative, challenging, makes me break a sweat, requires tools, or gets my hands dirty, I’ll try it! I am an artist, yoga student, traveler, vegetable gardener, aspiring guitarist, runner, designer, carpenter, and lifelong learner. Someday I hope to buy land, build my own house, and then paint all the paintings inside.
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Jill Johnson
Head of Elementary School Rollins College B.A. in Foreign Language, Minor in Dance University of Colorado, Boulder M.A. in Education with a focus in Social, Multicultural, Bilingual Foundations of Education
Prior to working at BCD, I taught at an IB school in BVSD for 15 years. I have served as a classroom teacher, TAG Ed Advisor, and math and literacy interventionist for grades K-5. I enjoy biking, yoga, skiing and spending time with my family. I also spend LOTS of time driving our son to hockey games and cheering him on.
Tricia Pezdek
Head of Middle School High School Transition Coordinator
Utica College of Syracuse University B.A. Mathematics M.S. ED - Leadership & Instruction for Inclusive Classrooms
Prior to teaching at BCD, I taught secondary and college level mathematics for eight years. While teaching high school, I taught many different levels of mathematics. This included courses that ranged from Pre-Algebra through Advanced Placement Calculus. At the collegiate level, I taught Algebra I and Algebra II/Trigonometry. In my free time I enjoy being outside and taking advantage of the beautiful scenery Colorado has to offer. I love to hike, run, mountain bike, and snowboard. I also love spending time with my family and dog and traveling to new places.
John Suitor, III
Head of School
University of Vermont B.A. Political Science Georgetown University M.A.L.S. International Affairs
John Suitor was raised in an independent school family and has enjoyed over twenty years living and working in independent school communities. Prior to becoming Head of School at Boulder Country Day, Mr. Suitor worked at St. Johnsbury Academy (a 9-12 grade day and boarding school), Long Trail School (a 6-12 grade day school), and Foxcroft School (a girls boarding school in Middleburg, VA). He also spent 17 years attending and working at Camp Timanous, a traditional Maine camp for 7-15 year-old boys. Mr. Suitor's father, also named John, is Headmaster at Aspen Country Day School.
Mr. Suitor is profoundly optimistic regarding young people and believes that nurture, structure, and latitude are key factors in raising confident, successful, and resilient children. He is committed to cultivating a safe, positive, and challenging learning environment where an atmosphere of trust and respect inspire children to take appropriate risks and to reach their level of excellence.
Mr. Suitor and his wife Gail were college sweethearts. She is the co-Chair for the National Association of Independent Schools' Families First program and a full-time parent, They have been married for 23 years and have three children: Elizabeth, Madison, and Catherine. Mr. Suitor loves the outdoors, travel, and adventure, and is a certified sports nut.
Boulder Country Day School, where academic distinction meets education with character. BCD is a top rated, accredited private school in Boulder, Colorado where every child has the opportunity to discover their own unique excellence. Distinguished by small class sizes, outstanding faculty, engaging academics and a focus on community, our preschool, elementary and IB middle school teachers strive to create a well-rounded educational environment that balances traditional subjects with the arts, world languages, athletics and knowledge based units.