Mountain Middle School is fortunate to have a highly talented Board of Directors who are passionate about project-based learning.
Board Members
John Arms, President
3/4/2024 – 3/4/2027
John Arms is an experienced investor with more than 30 years of experience in capital
investments in real property, land, minerals and energy. Having worked for large public
and private companies in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, John worked with acquisitions and
mergers totaling over $7 billion in his career. He has a technical background in
engineering and has managed budgets, personnel and human resources. He has
volunteered for the local school districts, Habitat for Humanities, Community Foundation
of Southwest Colorado and as a Board Member for his local Temple. His family moved
to Durango after falling in love with southwest Colorado. The family has spent many
years vacationing and working in the area. John joined Mountain Middle School Board
of Directors to give back to his community and to support local schools with direct
impact for the residents of Durango and La Plata County. He, his wife and four children
enjoy the outdoors and the all the tangible benefits of Colorado living.
Contact: John Arms
Daniel (DJ) Jergensen, Vice President/Secretary
9/19/2024 – 9/19/2027
Daniel (DJ) Jergensen is the lead and founding pastor at the Durango Vineyard Church. He moved to Durango from Grand Junction, CO with his family in 2013. He loves the learning environment at Mountain Middle School for his two girls because of the practical life skills of project-based learning and public speaking.
As a community minded person, DJ is motivated to see an integrated community where character and holistic formation is the foundation of how we develop young people, regardless of their background. When he’s not in a coffee shop visiting with people, he is likely exploring our vast and beautiful landscape through fishing, hunting, biking or hiking.
Contact: Daniel (DJ) Jergensen
Erin Birt, Director Emeritus
5/13/2026-5/30/2027
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
Annalise Lasater, Treasurer
5/13/2026-5/30/2029
Renee Beeton, Board Member
5/13/2026-5/30/2029
Renee Beeton, PhD, is a Senior Lecturer of Chemistry at Fort Lewis College with expertise in teaching, coaching, and educational leadership. She has worked in higher education for more than 15 years, focusing on student success, equity, and culturally responsive teaching. Her experience includes faculty development, strategic planning, grant leadership, and budget oversight, including directing a federally funded Title V initiative focused on improving outcomes for underserved students. She is passionate about creating inclusive learning environments where all students feel supported, challenged, and valued. She has lived in Durango with her family since 2017 and her son attends Mountain Middle School. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, trying new foods, and taking advantage of the many outdoor activities Durango has to offer.