OWNER/DIRECTOR AND TEACHER

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Language & Education Training Center (1990-2002), Principal of Elementary and Secondary Schools, as well as Director and Board Member for Charter Schools. Vice Chair for the Colorado Association of Latino(a) Administrators and Superintendents, and Educational Leadership Mentor for Principals and Assistant Principals and aspiring teachers that want to become leaders.

Santiago R. Grado is an enthusiastic, motivated and powerful advocate whose entrepreneurial instincts and clarity of vision have carried multiple projects through rapid and continuous growth.

Santiago started his first business, a school for at-risk, dropout, expelled and migrant students, and has been an unstoppable advocate for children and parents ever since. From being an Executive Director for Hollingsead International, an Aerospace company, Santiago transitioned into the Educational arena starting as a teacher for A+/Network + certification and Economics for the Arizona Alliance of Business. He quickly moved into creating a computer-aided software program teaching English as a Second Language, which led him in establishing, The Language & Education Training Center where he succeeded in providing ESL, CTE and GED instruction for 12 years before moving to Morrison, Colorado.

Santiago is distinguished by his passion for ethical business practices, his focus on collaborative team-building, and his commitment to meeting higher student achievement and student/teacher buy-in. His contagious enthusiasm instills him and his team members with extraordinary energy and dedication in an environment where creativity and innovation are encouraged. Santiago does not just set out ambitious goals, he motivates people to deliver. 

Santiago has achieved outstanding personal and team results. He finds his greatest motivation in coaching others to perform above and beyond expectations.  His success formula for Excellence in Execution is | 10% Strategy (Improvise - planning it) | 40% Consistency (Adapt - sticking to it) | 50% Execution (Overcome - getting it done)

A Motivational & Dynamic Transformational Leader, Santiago enjoys mentoring students, parents, teachers and administrators. He transmits key concepts in Business Innovation supported by smart adoption of technology (Blended Learning) with emphasis on increasing student achievement, gaining student, parent, teacher buy-in and ownership, and helping those individuals who have dropped out of school regain their opportunity for a second chance.  

Loriann Grado

OWNDER/DIRECTOR, TEACHER AND NURSE

My name is Loriann Grado, and I am the co-owner, assistant director, and a preschool teacher at Aspen Park Montessori. I am a CDA-certified early childhood educator and a registered nursewith nearly 30 years of experience in women’s health. For 26 years, I specialized in Labor and Delivery, working in a fast-paced, high-acuity environment that required advanced critical thinking, adaptability, and sound clinical judgment. This background has strengthened my ability to assess complex situations, respond calmly and effectively in emergencies, and consistently uphold the highest standards of safety and care—often while supporting both mother and child.

Throughout my nursing career, I remained deeply committed to professional learning and mentorship. I have trained and oriented both new and experienced nurses, earned certification as

a fetal monitoring instructor, and served in leadership roles including relief charge nurse and unit-based council coordinator. Supporting the growth of others has always been central to my professional identity and continues to guide my work in education.

I believe that effective communication is foundational to meaningful learning and successful collaboration. At Aspen Park Montessori, I prioritize clear, respectful communication and the  development of strong, trusting relationships among staff, families, and children. By fostering confidence and mutual respect within our school community, I help create an environment where both children and adults feel supported, engaged, and empowered to grow.

While my professional certifications and experience provide a strong foundation, I value the autonomy and reflection that come with classroom teaching. I approach education with intention, curiosity, and intuition—continuously observing, adapting, and refining my practice to meet the needs of each child. My educational philosophy centers on engagement and achievement, as I believe these qualities naturally lead to meaningful and lasting success.

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Since Aspen Park Montessori opened in 2019, I have worked both in the classroom and in school leadership. Collaborating with fellow educators has expanded my understanding of early childhood pedagogy and strengthened my commitment to best practices. Through hands-on teaching, I have developed a deep passion for early learning and find great fulfillment in. observing children’s curiosity, confidence, and joy as they master new skills and concepts.

Motivated by my dedication to education, I returned to school to pursue formal training in early  childhood education. With my early childhood certifications and Bachelor of Science in Nursing, I am qualified to teach through third grade. I am committed to lifelong learning—for myself, my  colleagues, and the children I serve—and view it as a privilege to support each child’s educational journey.

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Every child brings unique strengths, perspectives, and needs into the classroom. It is an honor to work alongside each learner and to support their individual growth within a nurturing, respectful,

and engaging environment.