John Steele

Background

About John Steele

I am an experienced educator and program manager with a strong foundation in English, creative writing, and education leadership. I hold a BA in English from Western Colorado University and an MFA in Literary Studies and Creative Writing from Spalding University. I also pursued, but did not complete, a PhD in Literary Studies at the University of South Dakota. With over five years as a Lecturer at Western Colorado University, I taught a wide range of English, writing, literature, and film studies courses, serving on the Assessment Committee. During this time, I co-authored a scholarly article titled "Information Literacy Assessment: Keep It Simple, Keep It Going," published in Reference & User Services Quarterly by the American Library Association. After transitioning to K-12 education, I spent four years teaching High School English at Montrose High School in Colorado, where I also taught concurrent enrollment college English courses. In 2017, I moved into district leadership, taking on roles as the STEM and Gifted Education Coordinator and the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Director for Montrose County School District. In July 2024, I advanced to the position of Secondary and Special Programs Manager, overseeing a wide range of initiatives supporting secondary education and specialized programs across the district. In addition to my work in education, I have a passion for filmmaking. I have written, produced, and co-directed two documentaries, both of which were featured in Colorado film festivals. I am continually seeking opportunities to blend creativity, education, and leadership to make a positive impact on students and communities.