Alex Magaña

Alex is a public school educator and DPS parent who has served for more than 25 years as a teacher, principal, and executive director. He has a proven record of transforming schools into innovative learning environments, combining firsthand classroom experience with strategic leadership. His commitment to high standards, emotional support, transparency, and inclusive family engagement drives his vision for equitable, community-centered, and effective public education in Denver.

• Rooted in DPS, elevated by decades of experience
  Alex has dedicated over 25 years to Denver Public Schools—starting as a bilingual math teacher in 1998 and rising through roles as math coach, assistant principal, and then principal, eventually leading the Beacon network at Grant and Kepner Beacon Middle Schools. As a Mexican-American educator and first-generation college graduate, he brings a lived understanding of how public schools can open new opportunities for students, just like they did for him. He is also a proud DPS parent, with two children who graduated from the district.
• Champion of innovative, high-performing public schools
  Alex helped design and lead two innovation schools in DPS. Under his leadership, both schools improved academic performance and became recognized models for personalized learning, using blended instruction tailored to each student’s academic level, alongside a strong focus on character development, enrichment, and leadership opportunities. His work in the Beacon Network was also distinguished by deep family and community engagement, creating a school culture where parents were true partners in student success.
• Committed to empowering educators and investing in great teaching
  As an educator, Alex knows firsthand that the best way to raise student achievement is by giving educators the tools, trust, and professional growth they need to excel—and by paying them competitively for the critical work they do. He has mentored dozens of teachers during their pursuit of leadership roles, strengthening the educator pipeline in DPS.
• Focused on community listening and accountability
  Alex is committed to transparency and authentic community engagement, ensuring families have a real voice in decisions that affect their children, including quality academics, safety, and mental health support. In the Beacon Network, he built systems for regular two-way communication with families, including multilingual forums and data-sharing practices that allowed parents to understand and advocate for their child’s progress.