Meet the Office Team

I come to Kohl Elementary with over 20 years of professional office experience. I’ve taught kindergarten & 4th grade in the inner-city school system, run multiple child care facilities, and worked in member services in the corporate world. I love being around children and enjoy office work which makes working in the office at Kohl the best possible place for me! Best of all, I never have the same day twice! When not at work I enjoy reading, kayaking, and going on adventures!

Geoff is entering his third year as the principal at Kohl Elementary, his thirteenth year as an administrator in Boulder Valley School District, and his twenty fourth year in public education. Prior to his time as a Colt, he was the assistant principal and athletic director at both Centennial Middle School and Aspen Creek PK-8. His first position in BVSD was at the Education Center, where he designed curricula for Health and Physical Education courses and led instructional programming in those content areas. Geoff began his career in education as a high school history, government, and economics teacher, but due to his belief in the importance of physical activity and interest in connections between exercise and brain development, made a move to the gym and taught physical education. In addition to his work as an administrator and teacher, Geoff has also coached swimming, track, and basketball.

Geoff holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Organizations, awarded jointly by the University of California, Santa Barbara and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. His dissertation focused on connections between the manner in which principals lead and organizational outcomes. He maintains a research interest in this area and continues to study leadership, systems thinking, and change theory. Geoff also holds a Masters Degree in secondary education with an emphasis in kinesiology from the University of Missouri, St. Louis, and a Bachelor of Science degree in history with a minor in political science from Missouri State University.

When not playing sports, reconnoitering the creek near his childhood home, or stirring up trouble with his two brothers, Geoff spent his childhood exploring the wilds of suburban Kansas City on his bike. He completed high school and college in Missouri after his family's return to their home base outside of St. Louis. He is the son of educators, his father a school superintendent and his mother a science teacher. In his free time, Geoff enjoys riding his bike, paddle boarding, wave riding, running, skiing, fly fishing, doing projects around the house, and most of all, spending time with his family. He lives in Boulder County with his wife, a speech language pathologist, their four kids, and the family dogs Aspen, a counter surfing Rhodesian Ridgeback/Coonhound mix and Bear, a thoroughly confused Anatolian Shepherd/Great Dane mix.

To the chagrin of those around him, Geoff is adamant that no matter who wins the World Series the St. Louis Cardinals are always the best team, that his daily sessions on his bike trainer equate to preparation for the Tour de France, and that he should have been cast in the show Man vs. Wild instead of Bear Grylls. Despite the frequent eye rolls of his wife and kids, he remains steadfastly convinced that all of these things are true.

Taren Villecco is beginning her first year as the assistant principal at Kohl Elementary. Taren has worked in Boulder Valley School District since 2005. Most recently, she taught 5th grade at Ryan Elementary in Lafayette. In Taren’s 15 years in BVSD she has been in a variety of instructional roles. These include teaching positions at both Ryan Elementary and Aspen Creek PK-8, as well as seven years working district-wide as a literacy specialist. Beyond the classroom, Taren has assumed a host of leadership positions at the school and district levels.

Taren holds a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Regis University and a Bachelor of Arts in Developmental Psychology from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Taren is also credentialed by The Ohio State University’s Literacy Coaching Collaborative, is a certified Google Educator (Levels 1 & 2).

Taren was born and raised in Colorado. She currently lives in Boulder County with her family. She has an energetic boy (Pierce), sassy little girl (Gianna) and a toddler boy (Trae). Taren’s husband (Pete) is also an educator in BVSD. They stay very busy trying to keep up with three little ones. In her free time, Taren enjoys playing/watching sports and spending time in the beautiful Colorado outdoors!

Taren is a daughter, wife, mom, teacher, coach, innovator, friend and learner. Above all, she is passionate about inspiring all to love learning! Taren is very excited to work collaboratively with students, educators, and parents in the Kohl Community.