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
07/7/20-05/31/24
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
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
Lorien Chambers Schuldt
5/17/23-5/31/26
Lorien Chambers Schuldt is an Associate Professor of Teacher Education at Fort Lewis College with a focus on literacy and language development. A former elementary school teacher in California and Colorado, she holds a doctorate in Curriculum and Teacher Education from Stanford University. She is passionate about helping teachers create rich language and literacy learning opportunities. She has lived in Durango for the past 10 years with her husband and two children and is the proud parent of a Mountain Middle School student. In her free time, you’ll find her outside enjoying the mountains with her family.
Contact: Lorien Schuldt
Justin Thornbladh
5/17/2020 – 5/31/2026
Justin grew up in Ann Arbor, MI. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan. He has been in the wireless recycling industry since 1997. He has built businesses in wireless recycling, reverse logistics, data security, and wholesale. His areas of expertise include relationship building, data analysis, and negotiation. Justin owns a consultancy that manages North American wireless carrier material sourcing and commercial real estate.
Justin, his wife, and two children moved to Durango in 2016. His community involvement consists of being an Animas Valley Booster Club fundraiser, Castle Rock HOA Treasurer, and Soccer Coach. He enjoys snowboarding, overlanding, and camping with his family in the San Juan mountains.
Contact: Justin Thornbladh