The BPS Principal’s career has spanned continents and diverse educational settings, but the vast majority of it was spent enriching the lives of children in Bayfield, where she has made lasting impacts on student success, school culture, and academic growth.
Superintendent Leon Hanhardt spoke highly of Alderton’s contributions during the January 14 Bayfield Board of Education meeting, where her retirement was announced.
“I’d like to thank Mrs. Jan Alderton for her unwavering commitment to Bayfield School District for many years. Jan has proven her abilities as a teacher and leader in the Bayfield School District, and we would like to congratulate her on her retirement effective at the end of this year,” Hanhardt remarked.
Alderton’s path into the profession was not an easy one. Before obtaining her teaching license, she taught overseas in private schools. She student-taught at Bayfield Elementary School in the 1994-1995 school year while earning her teaching certification through a program for non-traditional students at Fort Lewis College.
For a period of five years, Alderton scored numerous interviews but struggled to land a full-time teaching position due to her lack of experience. She worked at a small private high school in Durango, Colorado and was a substitute in Bayfield, Ignacio and Durango while pursuing full-time public school opportunities. It was a tough road, and there was more competition for teaching jobs than there is now, but she persevered.
“There were few jobs,” she recalled of her early challenges. “There were not very many teachers leaving the field and there were dozens of applicants for every opening,”
A pivotal moment came in 2001. “I got a foot in the door when Bayfield decided to pilot an elementary school Spanish program,” she said. Initially, the position was part-time and grant-funded, and Alderton began her role without a classroom or office.
“I had a pull-along suitcase that I kept my materials in and dragged it from class to class,” she recalled. “I loved every minute of it!”
Alderton thrived in this role for two years before the grant funding ran out, and she quickly transitioned into a librarian position. She finally earned a spot as a first-grade teacher, a role she would hold for many years. Throughout her career, she would serve in a variety of teaching and leadership positions, including reading interventionist and team leader, impacting students in grades K-5 and beyond.
For Alderton, the growth and success of her students has always been at the forefront of her mission.
“Reading is a life skill that everyone needs,” she emphasized, noting improvements in Bayfield Primary School’s reading scores since she became principal. During her tenure, the percentage of students performing at or above grade level in reading has steadily increased: from 69% in 2020-2021 to 83% in 2023-2024.
As Principal, Alderton implemented a number of key initiatives aimed at supporting academic growth and enhancing school culture. One of her major achievements was introducing a new math benchmark assessment program. Before her leadership, Bayfield Primary had not used standardized assessments for math growth and achievement.
“We wanted a clear measure of our students’ progress,” Alderton explained. After experimenting with several options, she and her team settled on the NWEA MAP testing program, which aligned with district-wide standards and provided valuable insights into student performance.
Perhaps even more remarkable than her academic focus was Alderton’s approach to school culture and climate. When she took over as Principal in the 2021-2022 school year, the school was in the midst of addressing behavioral concerns, especially in challenging areas like the playground and cafeteria.
Alderton worked with staff to establish clear, consistent expectations and common language across the school. This included the creation of detailed slideshows outlining behavioral expectations for students and staff, from being safe and respectful to showing kindness and responsibility.
“Everything at the primary level needs to be taught explicitly,” she said. The slideshows, developed by Dean of Students Savannah Baird with input from the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) team, helped ensure that all students knew exactly what was expected of them in various school environments.
“We made it really clear to staff so they could make it clear to students,” she explained.
Through efforts like these, Alderton's leadership has been a driving force behind the school’s evolving culture of kindness, respect, and responsibility. Her commitment to ensuring a safe and supportive environment for both students and staff has been one of the defining features of her tenure. Alderton was quick to note, however, that the credit goes to the entire team at Bayfield Primary.
“I feel like we’ve made some changes that have been successful. Our incredible staff deserves accolades,” she said, expressing confidence that these positive trends will continue even after her retirement.
After years of dedication, Alderton is grateful for the experiences and the people who shaped her journey and looks forward to the next chapter of her life, knowing that Bayfield Primary is in a strong position for continued success. At the same time, she admits her decision to retire after 30 years in education is bittersweet.
“I would like to be able to do this longer,” she nodded, acknowledging her deep passion for the work.
After announcing her retirement to the board, Hanhardt — who had the privilege of witnessing Alderton’s work in multiple roles, including as a parent with his own son in her class — described her as having done “absolutely phenomenal work” during her tenure.
“I’ve been able, in my time here, to witness you in multiple roles, and there’s not enough words,” Hanhardt said. “I really think it is important to recognize the contributions Jan Alderton has made to the Bayfield School District.”
Board President Rebecca Parnell also weighed in, praising Alderton's passion for the district.
“I think it really came through how much you love our district and the job that you’ve done,” Parnell said, underscoring the deep affection Alderton has for both her role and the Bayfield community.
As Bayfield prepares for Alderton’s departure, the search for a new principal has begun. Hanhardt announced that the district will post the position at the beginning of the month and keep it open until the end of February.
“We are being aggressive with this because I think it is important to find the right person and ensure there is a really smooth transition,” he explained. Staff and community listening sessions have been scheduled, and those interested in participating in the interview process will have the opportunity to apply to join the principal interview committee.
“We want to get out there early and be able to attract quality candidates,” Hanhardt said, acknowledging the importance of finding someone who will continue Alderton’s work and ensure a seamless transition for the school.