Administration
Annessa Hart - Principal of EMS & ELA
Phone: 303-806-2209
Email: annessa_hart@engschools.net
As I begin my seventh year as principal of EMS and ELA, and my 26th year in education, I am excited to see what the future holds. I am so proud to be a part of the Englewood family--my priorities every day are to ensure that your students feel safe and are receiving the best instruction in all their classes. I started my career as a high school English teacher, and continued my professional journey as an instructional coach supporting teachers in their instruction and curriculum, and then moved on to be an assistant principal at EHS before coming to the middle schools. I am humbled by the opportunity to be the principal of our two great middle schools in Englewood, and I look forward to continuing to improve both schools over the course of this next year.
We are a community of learners who take pride in education, who are kind and accepting of everyone, and who hold themselves to high standards of integrity, compassion, and work ethic. Our mission guides our work every day: "To support each student in the transition from elementary to high school by cultivating the habits and skills that will ensure their success." In order to do this, I will lead our staff and students by focusing our time and talents on our core values:
Achievement: in our school means…
Community: authentic relationships,
Respect: belief in ourselves and each other,
Engagement: active participation and commitment, and
Work Ethic: Perseverance
As a parent to two wonderful boys--a junior in college and a high school sophomore--I understand the complexity of raising students in this day and age. Please know that I deeply value your commitment to our community and your student's education, and that we are partners in this journey together. Please reach out to me at any time regarding concerns, questions, or ideas. I look forward to celebrating our work together this year--we have a lot of great changes in the works and we are all deeply committed to the greatness of the Englewood community.
Amber Darnell- Assistant Principal
Phone: 303-806-2101
Email: amber_darnell@engschools.net
Hello EMS and ELA families! I am honored and excited to be the 7th grade Assistant Principal this year. This is my 14th year in education and my 5th year at Englewood Middle School and Leadership Academy. I began my career teaching English Language Arts and STEAM, and have spent the past four years serving EMS and ELA as an Instructional Coach and Literacy Interventionist. I have spent my career working in middle school and I truly believe the best is in the middle!
In addition to working for Englewood Schools, I am proud to be an Englewood resident. I am also a parent to two wonderful boys who attend Clayton Elementary and it is an honor to raise my family in this incredible community. Englewood is a special place and I look forward to partnering with you and your family this year! Please don't hesitate to reach out to me with any questions or concerns.
Melissa Rhodes- Assistant Principal
Phone: 303-806-2301
Email: melissa_rhodes@engschools.net
2024-2025 is my first year as an assistant principal at EMS/ ELA. However, it is my 18th year in education, which includes 17 years in middle school where I taught math and was an instructional coach. Englewood has been my home for 7 years now and I feel honored to continue to grow and learn in such a welcoming environment. I am extremely proud of our staff and students who work hard and take risks, increasing their knowledge and grit, while pushing themselves to grow every day.