GOAL Leadership
Dr. Constance Jones
Chief Executive Officer
Constance Jones, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, joined GOAL Academy in 2018. A veteran educator and administrator with over 35 years of public education experience, Dr. Jones now leads Colorado’s largest high school and alternative education campus. GOAL’s blended learning delivery model, student-centered support services, and 5,000-plus statewide student population provide a once-in-a-career opportunity to lead a truly unique 21st century school.
Prior to serving at GOAL Academy, Dr. Jones was the superintendent of the Pueblo City School District 60. While leading the 18,000-student district, Dr. Jones implemented improvement strategies that prevented state intervention for the district and at many of the district’s low performing schools. Dr. Jones also spearheaded several programs similar to critical components of GOAL’s curriculum, including the expansion of career and technical education courses and workforce readiness certifications.
Dr. Jones served in the Lee County Public Schools in Florida for 30 years as a classroom teacher, principal and as the Chief Academic Officer for the 86,000-student district. During her tenure as the CAO, the district rose to an “A” in the state’s accountability system and the district was recognized as one of the highest performing districts in the nation for reducing the achievement gap between low and high socioeconomic students as well as among minority and non-minority students.
Dr. Jones earned her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on Education Leadership from the University of South Florida. She has been very active in community organizations as well as committees and Boards on the state and national level. Dr. Jones has been recognized as one of the top 100 executive educators in North America by the National School Board’s Association.
Dr. Jones currently serves as a board member on the Pueblo Economic Development Board (PEDCO). She is a member of Rotary 43 in Pueblo, and the Denver Women Leaders Association. She and her husband of 47 years enjoy traveling and spending time in the mountains at their cabin in Cuchara.
Deborah Morton
Chief Finance Officer
Deb Morton, Chief Financial Officer, joined GOAL Academy in November 2015. Deb has more than 30 years of financial management experience in the private, public and non-profit sectors, including five years as the Director of Finance for the City of Pueblo, Colorado, and 9 years as a credit union CEO and CFO. Prior to moving to Colorado, Morton worked for 8 years as a CPA in a Latham, NY public accounting firm. Deb earned a BS in Accounting from Siena College, Loudonville, NY and is currently licensed as a Certified Public Accountant by the State of Colorado. As CFO, Morton oversees all aspects of the school’s finances, including the development and management of budgets, preparation of financial statements, implementation of internal control policies and reporting to GOAL’s Board of Directors. Deb is very honored to serve as GOAL’s CFO and to be part of a very dedicated and passionate team. More importantly to her, she is continually inspired by GOAL’s mission to “develop productive members of society” and to ensure education for all young people so they can improve their lives and achieve their goals.
Jill Toussaint
Chief Academic Officer
Jill Toussaint received her bachelor’s degree in Biology from Colorado State University – Pueblo and her master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education. Jill’s career as an education professional has been spent in two of Colorado’s most innovative charter schools. As an education professional, Jill has transitioned from a high school science teacher to a school administrator tasked with implementing progressive educational policies that increase opportunities for Colorado students. Jill is well qualified to do so. She spent six years serving on the Colorado Advisory Board overseeing the implementation of state legislation for the Concurrent Enrollment and ASCENT programs. Jill is committed to advocate for legislation to positively support Alternative Education Campuses in our state.
In 2010, Jill joined the Guided Online Academic Learning (GOAL) Academy’s administrative team as the Concurrent Enrollment and Career and Technical Education Coordinator, significantly expanding and enhancing both programs. She has served as GOAL’s Director of Academic Advising and Associate Academic Officer of the Pueblo Region. Since fall 2016, she has served as GOAL’s Chief Academic Officer. In this role, Jill supports GOAL’s five regions and regional staff along with the oversight of all of GOAL’s academic programs including: Curriculum and Instruction, College and Career Counseling, English Language Learners, Intervention Resources, Career and Technical Education, Professional Learning and Development, Exceptional Student Services, and Student Support Services.
Education is… a right that should not be withheld from anyone.
Jill is happily married and is the proud mother of two amazing children.
Jamie Trujillo
Chief Information Officer
Jamie Trujillo serves as the Chief Information Officer for GOAL Academy. In this role, Jamie is directly responsible for leading GOAL Academy’s technology efforts and enabling digital transformation across the School, with a passion to prepare students for a life centered around technology.
Jamie is a 20-year veteran of the Tech industry. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in IT Administration from Western Governors University. He possesses 13 technical industry certifications, ranging from the CompTIA A+, Security+, and Network+ to the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator: Messaging (MCSA). Jamie is a fifth-generation native of Western Colorado.
Prior to joining GOAL Academy, Jamie was the worldwide Director of Information Technology for Doss Aviation (now L3 Harris) based in Pueblo and Colorado Springs. Jamie is an active member of the Colorado Association of Leaders in Educational Technology (CALET) and is a member of the Board of Directors for the Pueblo West Chamber of Commerce.
In his free time, Jamie enjoys spending time with his wonderful family, officiating high school basketball games, and the great outdoors of Colorado.
Wendy Haut
Principal
Wendy Haut grew up in Grand Junction, Colorado and earned her bachelor’s degree teaching license in 2001 from Colorado Christian University. In 2016, she went back to school earning a Master’s in Teaching and Learning with a focus on Educational Leadership from CSU-Global.
As an educator of 20 years, her background, knowledge and experience spans multiple age groups with a focus on at-risk youth. She has support students in Pre-K thru High School, including special needs students, giving her a knowledge base to be able to provide insight at multiple levels to facilitate learning needs.
Through the years, Wendy has provided support and education in both teaching and leadership positions in Colorado and Wisconsin. She was instrumental in the creation and implementation of a reading and math tutoring program for at-risk students in a Wisconsin school district before moving back to Colorado. In 2010, Wendy joined GOAL High School and continues to strive to make a difference in the communities she serves.
Outside her role as a mentor and educator, Wendy enjoys spending time in the mountains hiking, fishing, camping, and exploring with her daughters, their mini aussie, and golden retriever!
Jason Hochevar
Principal
Jason Hochevar grew up in Pueblo before attending college at the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York. There, he received his degree in Marine Engineering as well as his commission as an officer in the United States Navy. After 7 years working as a Marine Engineer, he left the field and retired from the Navy with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He entered the field of education at Dolores Huerta Preparatory High as a Math teacher where he taught for 4 years. While he was there, Jason helped support the development of the online school that would become GOAL Academy. In 2010, Jason formally left DHPH and started with GOAL Academy full time as a teacher and has remained here ever since. In that time he has help numerous leadership roles, including overseeing the Pueblo Mall, Pueblo Nature Center site, and the Pueblo region in entirety. He now serves as Principal of the Southern Region, covering 8 sites in Pueblo, Walsenburg, Trinidad, Alamosa, Pagosa Springs, Durango and Cortez. Jason lives with his family in Pueblo and looks forward to continuing his work with the amazing students at GOAL Academy.
Cameron McLaughlin
Principal
Cameron McLaughlin graduated from Poudre High School in Fort Collins, Colorado before earning his Bachelor’s Degree in History Education from Colorado State University in 2007. In 2016, he graduated from the American College of Education with a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership.
Cameron began teaching Social Studies in 2007 in the subjects of World History, Psychology, Physical Education, US History and Government in the small mountain town of Westcliffe, Colorado. He has also coached Wrestling for over 10 years in Illinois and Colorado. Cameron started his career at GOAL High School in 2010 as a homeroom instructor. Over the past 10 years, he has worked at GOAL in a variety of positions before becoming the Principal in 2016.
Hobbies: Playing Guitar, Piano, Hiking, Camping and Playing blocks with his two young daughters!
Quote: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
Derek Staves
Principal
I am a father of three and have a deep appreciation for the love and support that the school staff has given my children. Some of the best advice I have ever received happened early in my career, “treat the children in your classrooms like your own children and your own children like those in your classroom.” I am committed to each of the students that we serve and our role in building necessary relationships to help all our student find their own success.
I have been in education for 19 years and have worked with at-risk students for 16 of the 19 years. I have served as a classroom teacher, pre-service teacher education instructor, dean of students, professional learning consultant, assistant principal, and reading specialist. I hold a Bachelor of Science, Master of Education in reading instruction and diagnoses, Certificate of Advanced Study in school administration and supervisor, and a Doctor of Educational Leadership. I love new challenges and talking to everyone. I root for the underdog and will help others reach their goals and aspirations. I enjoy spending time with my kids, building, and construction, playing music, painting landscapes, CrossFit, and learning anything new. The school was always difficult for me as a child, I am the product of a few amazing teachers who saw my potential as a student with a disability. I am a first-generation college student who believes that any student who wants to succeed can with a little help from people who care. Please reach out to me and we will enjoy a cup of coffee as we solve the world’s problems. As an extreme extrovert, I am always ready for a chat.
I have spent, many years in education, and I am truly humbled to be a part of the GOAL family. Thank you for your trust and support. I look forward to the end of this year and the impact we will have in the years to come. Now enjoy, the fruits of your labor and the celebrations to come. You have earned it!
Best Wishing,
Derek
Scott Elliott
Principal
I am excited for my new position as the Principal of the Central Region! I look forward to joining the principal team and working closely with GOAL staff. As the leader of the Central Region, I fully commit myself to furthering the district mission of developing productive members of society.
I have been married for 25 years and have 5 children. My wife is a Speech Language Pathologist and runs a private practice. My youngest child is a Junior here at GOAL High School and he is my last student left at home. I also have a son who works as a welder in Iowa and a son who is in the Navy. My daughter lives in Colorado Springs and participates in a program for special needs adults.My oldest son and his wife are expecting a baby girl and I am excited to be a grandfather in January 2022.
My journey in education began 18 years ago as a coordinator for an after school program at a local elementary school.During my time in this position, I realized my love for teaching and acquired my Master’s Degree in Education.Throughout my time teaching, I enjoyed leading educational teams, specifically in the acquisition of technology. It became apparent that I wanted to pursue a role in leadership, so I attained an administrator license. I then transitioned out of the classroom and into a technology leadership role where I mentored teachers.This role led me to my first Administrator position at a local high school, where I served as an Assistant Principal and Athletic Director. Two years ago, I was given the privilege of becoming an Assistant Principal for Goal High School at the Canon City location. I thoroughly enjoyed working in this role and it became apparent to me that this organization aligns fully with my vision for students in education.
I am excited about this new opportunity and look forward to working with everyone in this role.I love working with educators, students, and families to meet our mission and vision.I can honestly say that GOAL feels like home and I feel blessed to be part of this organization.
Kyle York
Principal
Hello Gladiators!
My name is Kyle York and am the new GOAL Academy High School Principal in the Colorado Springs Region. My wife’s name is Esther and I have two wonderful daughters Madeline and Sarah. Esther is a licensed realtor with HomeSmart in the Colorado Springs area, Madeline is completing her second year at the University of Northern Colorado majoring in Nursing, and Sarah is a fourth-grade student at Liberty Tree Academy in Falcon, CO. We love the Springs and all the hiking, biking, and outdoor activities available in the area.
I grew up in a third-generation ranch management family, for Silver Spur Ranches, based out of Wyoming. I played multiple sports in high school, participated in 4-H and FFA, and was a member of National Honor Society. I then went to college at the University of Wyoming and graduated with a degree in Secondary Education Mathematics. From there I worked as a math teacher and three sport coach for six years and applied for my master’s program at the University of Northern Colorado. Tragedy hit my family with the death of my father, and I went back and worked as a Ranch and Recreation Manager with Silver Spur Ranches for five years. My eldest brother became the CEO of Silver Spur Ranches during that time which gave me the opportunity to reapply for my position at the University of Northern Colorado’s master’s program. After receiving my master’s degree in educational leadership, I took a job in Yuma, CO as their Assistant Principal of the K8. During my time with them we received two national awards, three State awards, and 4 district awards for growth and academic achievement. These accomplishments projected my career into principalships for the next eight years and gave me several opportunities to work with students in alternative education settings.
As principal I was able to set up two alternative schools and in my last assignment was able to acquire an EARSS grant that provided well over a million dollars to establish a separate school with an open concept design very similar to GOAL Academy High School sites in the Colorado Springs area.
I chose GOAL Academy High School because of the opportunities of working with like-minded colleagues who truly share my passion for educating alternative students. I also chose GOAL because of the students I knew I would be getting to meet and work with at the several sites in the Colorado Springs area. I was excited to work with students who were authentically engaged and not forced engagement that regular brick and mortar schools are accustom. Other items of interest were working with teachers to develop blended learning models and having the opportunity to work in the most advanced and cutting-edge education model in the country. It also didn’t hurt to know that I would be getting to work with Microsoft as the only online school in the country to be awarded as showcase school.
Go Gladiators! Show Up – Connect – Succeed!