The Colonial School District is stepping up its efforts to proactively seek additional resources to enhance student learning. At the forefront of the renewed endeavor will be former Conshohocken Elementary School Principal Denise Marks, who was recently appointed to the newly created Director of Development and Curriculum Supervisor of Career Readiness position.

Mrs. Marks will work to strengthen Plymouth Whitemarsh High School’s Career Pathway program and serve as a liaison to expand employer-school engagement. As a Curriculum Supervisor, she will support the curriculum office with the revision and implementation of college and career exploration pathway course content. She will also supervise leadership learning opportunities for teachers and students, especially in the STEM fields.

As Director of Development, Mrs. Marks will work closely with the Colonial School District Education Foundation to develop interest for industry and businesses to invest in the school district’s educational programs to help prepare our graduates for a broad range of careers.

“We are rethinking senior year at the high school and how was can better prepare students to make good choices about their future,” Superintendent Dr. MaryEllen Gorodetzer said. “We are looking to expand our local and regional business partnerships to find more relevant, real world opportunities for students to explore so that they may have a better plan when leaving high school.

“Denise Marks has done an outstanding job in developing relationships with area business to benefit the students of Conshohocken Elementary School,” Dr. Gorodetzer continued. “We are confident that she will be successful in expanding those efforts to cultivate additional resources and opportunities for more of our students District wide.”

As Principal, Mrs. Marks has consistently secured grants and other funding to improve technology and library resources, fund after school programs and more at Conshohocken Elementary.

“Leading Conshohocken Elementary the past eight years has been the most professionally rewarding experience I’ve had in my 23-year career as an educator,” Mrs. Marks said. “In addition to allowing me to build relationships with the staff, students and families of Conshohocken, the role gave me the opportunity to seek out grants and develop partnerships with local businesses and community members that have resulted in significant additional funds for STEAM, technology, literacy and enrichment activities.

“I’m truly excited to begin this new role,” she added. “I look forward to expanding my fundraising and development skills and continuing to build bridges to the business community that will generate resources for our schools and create innovative opportunities for all of our students to be college and career ready.”

Mrs. Marks is expected to assume her new role this fall after a new principal is in place at Conshohocken Elementary School.