Colleen Urlik, EdD, holds her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Denver and is the Principal at Hulstrom K-8, the Adams 12 Five Star School District’s magnet school for Advanced and Gifted Learners. She has been in education since 2003 in various roles, beginning as a classroom teacher, working with traditionally marginalized students, where her passion for equity and inclusion developed. Dr. Urlik stepped out of the classroom to become an Instructional Coach, then after several years entered into school administration as an Assistant Principal and now Principal. As a K-8 Principal, she focuses on providing a safe environment for teachers and students to take risks and grow while advocating for high expectations, equity, access, and inclusion for all. Her goals include involving educators’ and students’ voice at the building and program level, working with students and community, and partnering alongside educators as they continue to learn and grow in their abilities and confidence to support all students.
Dr. Urlik acted as President for the Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented for several years. In this capacity, she stepped into nonprofit leadership, including but not limited to collaborating across the state to impact policy and legislation and supporting and organizing large scale conferences, statewide student events, and a variety of learning events for families and educators. She presents professionally on a wide variety of topics, including leadership, curriculum and instruction, differentiation, and family engagement. Dr. Urlik is a founding partner of Rising Tide Education Consultants LLC.
