Cullen McDowell
Executive Principal
Principal Mac has been a resident of Colorado over the last ten years. Starting his teaching career as a preschool para while earning his undergraduate degree from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, he has been in educational roles in some form for the last 17 years. He has been a teacher, department chair, instructional leader, program coordinator, Dean, Adjunct Professor, and administrator in Colorado Springs Districts 2, 11 and now 49 over the last nine years. During this time, he has leadership roles in the Elementary, Middle School, Alternative School, High School, and the post-secondary levels. He has master’s degree in history from CSU Pueblo and a master’s degree in educational leadership from UCCS. Mac strives to uphold the values of the Classical Movement and the impact charter schools have on families and communities. He has a strong support system of his wife Rebecca and three beautiful daughters.
To contact Principal Mac, email his Executive Administrative Assistant Bridget [email protected]
Chad Cullers
Assistant Principal Middle School
Hello Rocky Mountain Classical Academy Community! I am honored and privileged to work at RMCA and serve it’s students, staff, and community as the Middle School Assistant Principal. I am a proud dad of two beautiful daughters, Sophie and Ella and have a wonderful wife, Clare. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, playing and watching sports, hiking, and enjoying the great Colorado outdoors! I look forward to meeting and working with all of our students and families. Please stop by and say hello!
Assistant Principal 3rd-5th Grades
Hello, Rocky Mountain Classical Academy family. It is a privilege to join the RMCA community as your 3-5 Assistant Principal. My journey in education began in 2012, after receiving my Master’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado, and later continued at UCCS where I completed my Principal Licensure program in 2021. I am a Nebraska native, but have lived in Colorado Springs for the past 15 years, am a proud mom of three amazing kids, Braxton (19), Kaeden (16), Aliyah (14), and have been married to my incredible husband, Travis, for 15 years. In my spare time I enjoy attending family sporting activities, spending time outdoors, traveling, and visiting extended family back in Nebraska. I look forward to meeting and serving our students and families.
Assistant Principal K-2nd Grades
Hello! I am so excited to join the RMCA family as the new K-2 Assistant Principal! I have had the honor of serving in educational leadership for the last three years and taught Kindergarten, 1st grade, and 5th grade prior to entering a leadership role! I am a Colorado Native, having grown up in Limon, Colorado and have lived in Colorado Springs/Falcon since 2015. If I’m not at school, I will be enjoying time in nature with my husband, Jake, and son, Keegan (1). We love to camp, dirt bike, and fish. I look forward to getting to know all of the RMCA staff, students, and families as we grow the students of today into the leaders of tomorrow!
Debbie "Smitty" Smith
Academic Counselor
Aloha! What an honor to be in my third year here at RMCA! This is my 17th year as a school counselor, and RMCA Middle School is still the PERFECT place for me to meet and work with the most incredible young people and their families!! When I'm not at school, my husband and I enjoy watching football, baseball, and an occasional hockey game. (I'm also a big Disney fan!) AND, we LOVE being Puna and Papa to five beautiful grand-babies (two here in Colorado Springs and three in Arizona)! I am SO excited about this 2019/20 school year!
Tanner Humphrey
Dean of Students/Athletic Director
Hello, My name is Tanner Humphrey. I am going on my 4th year at RMCA as the Athletic Director and I feel so honored to be working with all of our great families! I was born and raised in Colorado Springs and attended Palmer High School located downtown. I went on to attend Colorado State University, where I earned a degree in Economics... Go Rams! While up in Fort Collins, I met my wife and we have now been married for 3 years. Sports are my life and always has been. I still play basketball and golf regularly and have been known to watch anything that involves competition. I love it here at RMCA and I look forward to a great school year!
Elgin Fitzgerald
Learning Services Coordinator
I am Elgin Fitzgerald and I am very excited to join the RMCA team as the learning services coordinator. I am a native of Colorado Springs and attended Palmer High School before attending Dartmouth College. I later received a Masters degree in Special Education. I have spent the past 12 years in special education at all levels as a teacher and coordinator. I love to watch and play all kinds of sports and enjoy spending time with my wife and family.
Middle School Counselor
Hello! This is my second year here at RMCA and I am so grateful to be a part of this awesome team as a Middle School Counselor, S2S Sponsor, and Volleyball Coach. I have my Bachelors of Business Administration from Drury University, and my Masters of Education in School Counseling from Liberty University. My husband and I have two daughters who are in 4th and 7th grade here at RMCA. We are a Space Force family and have previously lived in Florida, Las Vegas, and northern Virginia, but Missouri is home. I love travelling, photography, St. Louis Cardinals baseball, and being with my family.
Dean of Students
Hello! My name is Amber Kettinger and this is my 7th year at RMCA. I am thrilled to be one of the Deans of Students for 5th through 8th grade and an S2S sponsor. I am originally from Tampa, Florida where I attended the University of South Florida for my Undergraduate Studies in Biomedical Sciences and Psychology. I then attended the University of Phoenix, Tampa Campus, for my Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education and am currently obtaining my Master of Science in Educational Leadership. My husband is a helicopter pilot in the United States Army Reserves and a civilian Air Traffic Controller here in Colorado Springs. We have two wonderful children, Mackenzie and Jackson, who also attend RMCA. We are a family that loves being outdoors, soaking up the sunshine, attending sports games, and traveling the world while immersing ourselves in new cultures and making lifelong memories.
3rd-5th Grade Counselor
Hello! This is my first year at RMCA and I am so grateful to be working with an amazing and supportive team in a field I am deeply passionate about. I am a Colorado native and attended The Classical Academy. I completed my bachelor’s degree in Sociology at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs and then went on to obtain my master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Colorado Christian University. When I’m not working with the most amazing students at RMCA, you can find me hanging out with my family or with my pup Gus. I also enjoy traveling, singing, and volleyball!
