The Curriculum and Instruction Department supports teaching and learning across Columbia Public Schools by developing rigorous and relevant curriculum and providing professional development for educators.

Department Staff

Name	Role	Email
Dr. Kerri Graham	Executive Director of Curriculum & Instruction	kgraham@cpsk12.org
Shanna Dale	Lead Curriculum Coordinator & District AVID Coordinator	sdale@cpsk12.org
Julie Barnett	CTE Curriculum Coordinator	jbarnett@cpsk12.org
Joy Bess	K-12 Social Studies Coordinator	jbess@cpsk12.org
Jacob Biener	Advanced Studies Coordinator	jbiener@cpsk12.org
Shelly Fair	Director of EL	sfair@cpsk12.org
Melissa Fike	Secondary Math Coordinator	mfike@cpsk12.org
Kathryn Fry	Special Education Coordinator	kfry@cpsk12.org
Dr. Kim Goforth	K-12 Physical Education & Health Coordinator	kgoforth@cpsk12.org
Breana Kavanaugh	Director of Fine Arts	bkavanaugh@cpsk12.org
Jaime Kerpash	Process Coordinator	jkerpash@cpsk12.org
Leslie Kersha	CPS Online Counselor	lkersha@cpsk12.org
Dr. Andrew Kinslow	Secondary Science Coordinator	akinslow@cpsk12.org
Matt Leuchtmann	Secondary EEE Coordinator	mleuchtmann@cpsk12.org
Jessica Lucas	Secondary ELA Coordinator	jlucas@cpsk12.org
Jayme Pingrey	Coordinator of Media Specialists & Educational Technology	jpingrey@cpsk12.org
Dr. Karen Sander	Assistant Director of EL	ksander@cpsk12.org
Dr. Julie Schaefer	Elementary ELA Coordinator	jschaefer@cpsk12.org
Jen Smith	Elementary Math Coordinator	jesmith@cpsk12.org
Alex Terwelp	World Languages Coordinator	aterwelp@cpsk12.org
Jamie Thompson	Coordinator of Practical Arts	jamthompson@cpsk12.org
Ragan Webb	Elementary Science Coordinator	rwebb@cpsk12.org
Dr. Beth Winton	CPS Online Administrator	bwinton@cpsk12.org

 CPS Board-Approved Curriculum

Our school district has a carefully planned approach to creating the learning resources used in classrooms. This plan, which is part of CPS School Board Policy (IF), helps ensure that what students learn aligns with state and national standards. 

Working Together to Develop Curriculum

Creating our curriculum is a team effort. Many teachers work together to create them. It starts with a small group of teachers, a curriculum coordinator, instructional coaches, and mentors. They write or update the units of study and learning resources. Then, they share what they wrote with more teachers to get their ideas. This feedback helps us make changes right away or helps us know what to fix later.

In the summer, many teachers come together at special work sessions. Here, they finalize the units of study, write tests, and plan for how other teachers will learn to use the new materials.

Look at Our Approved Curriculum

View our Board-Approved Curriculum here.