About
School Overview
James Irwin Elementary School - Astrozon (JIES-A) is a Kindergarten through 5th grade elementary school with the Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥’ brand of academic excellence and character development. Key to this excellence is the teaching of Core Knowledge™ using Direct Instruction™. The curriculum and methodology have been successfully used in other Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥, and this has been enormously successful in producing high academic performance. This performance has afforded Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥ the honor of the John Irwin School of Excellence Award in the State of Colorado, meaning they all have measured success that places them in the top 8 percent of schools in the State.
School Administration
Janet White - Principal
Janet White was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey to Portuguese immigrant parents. Although she knew she wanted more than anything to become a teacher, she was first led to serve her country for five years in the United Stated Army both active duty and reserves. Later on, she graduated from Colorado Christian University with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts in 2012 and began her journey at James Irwin Elementary School-Astrozon as a 4th grade teacher assistant working hard to become the best teacher she could be. For the following two years at JIES-Astrozon, under the tutelage of Elizabeth Berg and Cindee Will, she served as a 4th grade homeroom teacher. She went on to teach 2nd grade with the guidance and leadership of Elizabeth Berg and Cari Reed. Meanwhile, she completed her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership at CCU in 2018. From 2021 through 2024, she served as the second-grade Lead Teacher while continuously developing her leadership skills alongside Cari Reed and Elsie Daniels. Janet White is eager and honored to continue serving at JIES-Astrozon as the new Principal beginning the school year of 2024.
Janet White is married to Jerry White, the Head Coach to boys’ basketball at James Irwin High School. They have a blended family of six children and currently six grandchildren. Two of their six children, Jesimiel and Melody both graduated from JIHS, and their JI journey has led them to continue to be productive and responsible citizens in their current endeavors. Their oldest daughter Tierra has also served the JI community for the last 6 years and their oldest granddaughter, Harmony, attends JIES because they fervently believe in the mission and vision of JICS. They have witnessed on the receiving end how JI’s education effectively impacted their family with character and academics, and that they want to be a part of making a difference for more families in their community on the giving end. They count the opportunity to serve the JI community as a blessing and an honor.
Teri Rands - Assistant Principal
Hello, my name is Teri Rands and I have the privilege of being the Assistant Principal at James Irwin Elementary School-Astrozon. I was born in Utah but raised throughout the United States. My father’s job (not military) moved us every three years, allowing me to live around the United States. I graduated from Brigham Young University with a major in Sociology and a minor in Psychology with an emphasis in Organizational Behavior.
At college I met and married my husband. Bruce has been a practicing attorney in Colorado Springs for the last 23 years. We have four amazing children, twin boys and twin girls, who have all matriculated through James Irwin. As a James Irwin parent, I understand the need for a partnership between teachers and students. I have seen firsthand how James Irwin’s commitment to an academically rigorous education has prepared young men and women for adulthood.
I began my career at James Irwin 16 years ago as a Kindergarten Teacher. I have spent 13 years in the classroom, mainly in K-2. I have served the James Irwin community as Kindergarten, First, and Second grade lead teacher. I spent the last three years as an Instructional Coach helping James Irwin teachers to be more proficient. I have been impressed with the effectiveness of Direct Instruction on not only my own, but all James Irwin students. I am thrilled to be able to support the teachers through trainings and side by side coaching. I have experienced the hard work of our staff and their beautiful dedication to help students reach their full potential. I count it as a privilege to work alongside such dedicated, selfless, knowledgeable educators and look forward to working side by side with you in my new role as Assistant Principal.
The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.
