Mountain Middle School is fortunate to have a highly talented Board of Directors who are passionate about project-based learning.
Board Members
Erin Birt, President
07/8/20-07/8/24
Erin Birt has lived in Durango for 18 years and is rejoining our board for a third term as President. An Australian citizen, Erin comes to us with a background in international business experience and a passion for travel. Erin retired from corporate employment four years ago to follow a dream to own her own business and today runs a boutique bookkeeping and financial consulting agency in Durango. Erin has been a leader in charter school advocacy for a decade not only in her leadership of the Board at Mountain but as a speaker, trainer and consultant for the Charter School Institute and Colorado League of Charter Schools. Having worked with our school since it’s first year, and after leading historic initiatives such as the 2016 Mill Levy passage, acquisition of our campus property, a $2M capital expansion, charter renewal and expansion, and as a parent to two former Mountain students, Erin is excited to see Mountain through the next critical stages of our strategic development and into the future of expansion and replication of our school.
Contact: Erin Birt
Ellen Golden, Secretary
8/20/20-8/20/23
Ellen has been a proud member of the community since adopting Durango as her hometown in 1995. Her daughter was part of the inaugural Mountain Middle School 4th grade class and has thrived in the environment that Mountain provides. Ellen volunteered at Mountain in the past and is honored to be serving as Secretary of the Board. She is excited about the challenges and opportunities that are on the horizon and will work together with the board and staff to create a school legacy that will serve future students and families. Ellen works as a real estate broker associate with the Wells Group of Durango. In her free time, she loves to explore and enjoys the Four Corners area with her family and their humane society shelter rescue dog Eva. Ellen also supports other local community organizations including KSUT, La Plata County Humane Society, Volunteers of America, Durango Adult Education Center, Know Your Dough, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters.
Contact: Ellen Golden
Jason Silva, Member
11/19/2020 – 11/19/2023
I was born in Durango, CO and raised in Pagosa Springs. I currently live in Bayfield with my family of three and our three dogs. We all love living the Colorado dream and fully immersing ourselves in the outdoor lifestyle. I love meeting people who are new to the state and introducing them to all that Colorado and our community has to offer.
I believe volunteerism is essential to building our community and I thoroughly enjoy doing so. I serve on the Mountain Middle School board. I am a member of the Durango Elks Lodge as well as an active member of Rotary. I am also passionate about coaching youth sports, including the wrestling club that my son, Cash, participates in, as well as the high school wrestling team.
Contact: Jason Silva
Kevin Collins, Treasurer
12/17/2020 – 12/17/2023
Kevin has lived in Colorado for 20 years, currently residing in Colorado Springs, and is joining our board serving in his first term. Kevin comes to us with a background from a 30 year career in the U.S. Air Force with a final assignment as the 10th Air Base Wing Vice Commander, leading and managing the installation infrastructure at the U. S. Air Force Academy. Starting in 2003, Kevin served 12 years as the Chief Operating Officer and/or Deputy Executive Director at one of Colorado’s largest and leading Charter Schools, The Classical Academy (TCA) in Colorado Springs. Kevin received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of Puget Sound and a Master of Arts degree in Public Administration & Management from Webster University. More recently, he attended a “Charting a Course For The Next Decade”, a Charter School Institute Program from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Harvard University. Kevin and his wife Barbara are retired, have two grown sons—Patrick and Sean living in the area—and they enjoy spending time with their four grandchildren, leading, supporting, and joining in Faith/Church activities, and traveling out into the wilderness of Colorado. Kevin is honored to be on the board and is excited about contributing to and advancing Mountain Middle School in it’s expansion and growth to serve current and future students.
Contact: Kevin Collins
Steve Coast
4/20/2022 – 4/20/2025
Steve grew up in London, England and has been in the US for over a decade, becoming a citizen a few years ago. Steve works at the intersection of maps, technology and public policy and is most well-known for founding OpenStreetMap, the worldwide open source map. Steve lives in Durango and enjoys mountain biking and skiing.
Contact: Steve Coast