Athlos Academies Welcomes Kia Murray, Director of Education

Welcome Kia to the Athlos Academies Team!

We are thrilled to introduce Kia Murray, our new Director of Education, who has joined Athlos Academies with a wealth of experience and a passion for school improvement planning.

Kia Murray has worked in and supported charter schools for 20 years as a teacher, coach, school leader, and educational consultant.  Her work has focused on improving academic achievement through quality instruction and impactful leadership practices.

Kia received her Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education from Mercyhurst University and her Master’s Degree in educational leadership from the University of Northern Colorado. She is currently working towards her Doctoral degree in Charter School Administration at William Howard Taft University. Kia also has certifications in Critical Friends Group Coaching from the National School Reform Faculty, Student-Centered Instructional Coaching from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Cognitive Coaching.

In her most recent role, Kia served as the Director of Academic Services at the Colorado League of Charter Schools, a non-profit support organization serving over 260 charter schools across the state of Colorado. In addition to providing technical assistance and consultation to schools, Kia developed and implemented the League’s School Quality Review program, approved with distinction by the Colorado Department of Education, to provide holistic school review and improvement planning services to schools across the state. Additionally, she wrote, secured, and managed health and wellness grants supporting dozens of schools in low-income communities to improve school meal infrastructure and build staff and student resiliency. Kia’s recent experience also includes work with the Colorado Department of Education as an Administrator Mentor Cohort Leadership Mentor and a Unified Improvement Plan reviewer. Kia holds a Professional Principal and Elementary Education license in the state of Colorado.

About Athlos Academies

Athlos Academies is a social venture started in 2006 to provide sustainable solutions to many of the struggles charter schools face today.  The organization offers a range of services to charter schools, including charter application development, facility construction, leasing, bond marketing assistance, operational support, research-based curriculum, staff and student recruitment, and teacher training.  It currently partners with schools in Louisiana and Utah, with more schools looking to join the partnership in the next few years. For more information on Athlos Academies and their innovative charter school model, visit athlosacademies.org.