Priscilla Rahn, M.A.Ed, Hon. Doctor of Humane Letters
Priscilla is the proud daughter of an Army Veteran
Priscilla's father was drafted, became a career army soldier, served our great nation for 29 years and retired as a CW4. He is a Vietnam War veteran and had tours to Germany, Korea and Honduras. Moving every few years was the norm for Priscilla. The family's last assignment was to Ft. Hood, TX. Priscilla is the youngest of six children.
Priscilla grew up in a multi-lingual, multi-cultural home
Priscilla's mom remembers a unified Korea. The start of the Korean War in 1950 left Priscilla's mom an orphan at the age of 12. She immigrated to the US and began taking martial arts classes. Today, she is an 8th degree Grand Master. In 2019, Priscilla's mom was inducted into the Korean Martial Arts Master's Hall of Fame. Priscilla has lived and studied internationally in Korea, Italy, France and England. Her love for travel and culture has taken her to many countries in almost every continent and she has lead student tours to Australia and China.
Priscilla is a career educator
Priscilla is a 29-year veteran public school Master Teacher; an elite distinction held by less than 1% of Colorado's teachers. She was the first teacher in Colorado to become National Board Certified in Early Adolescent/Young Adult Music. Priscilla has worked in urban, suburban and rural schools in Texas, Colorado and Alaska as a public school teacher, principal, Regional Team Specialist, teacher evaluator/coach, Summer ELA Site Leader, high school tennis and volleyball coach and higher education Student Teacher Supervisor at CCU. Priscilla volunteered her time as Treasurer & Secretary of the Denver Classroom Teachers Association.
Priscilla is a Douglas County Planning Commissioner
In 2021, Priscilla was appointed by the Douglas County Commissioners to serve as one of nine appointees on the Planning Commission. Members adopt and certify the County’s Master Plan, review and make recommendations on land use applications, conduct studies on future growth and land use, and recommend zoning and subdivision regulation amendments to the Board of County Commissioners.
Priscilla supports student engagement
Priscilla earned her bachelor's degree from Texas Christian University in Ft. Worth. As an undergraduate student, Priscilla was president of TCU's Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education and served as an officer in the Texas State Student Association. After graduating in 1994, Priscilla was selected to a term on TCU's National Alumni Board. She understands the importance of student engagement during school and for success in life. Priscilla has the background to bring better mentorship and opportunities for students to share their ideas.
Priscilla is a business owner & entrepreneur
As a business owner, treasurer of a $1.1 million dollar organization, school principal and HOA Board Member, Priscilla has many years of finance and budgeting oversight experience. In 2016, Priscilla founded her successful business, Rhodell Organics, and hand makes organic hair, skin and body products for men and women. She started her business to supplement her teacher income. Priscilla decided to create healthier products and provide people with more natural and less toxic choices.
Priscilla champions equitable supports
Metro area school districts educate thousands of immigrant, refugee and multi-lingual students from all over the globe. For over 20 years, Priscilla has served the diverse needs of students in Denver as Chair of the DPS Asian Education Advisory Council. In addition, she evaluated and supported new teachers in becoming ELA certified so that they could provide equitable access to education content for multi-lingual students. In 2018, Priscilla was selected by the Consul General of Japan as one of only 10 Asian American Leaders to participate in the Kakehashi Project to Tokyo, Hiroshima and Kyoto.
Priscilla supports whole child & belonging
Priscilla enjoys volunteering for Heritage Camps for Adoptive Families. In addition, she has been trained in signs of suicide and depression. All parents have big hopes and dreams for their children to get a great education from K-12 to higher ed. Supporting young people as they discover their passions and find their voice has been truly rewarding.
Priscilla addresses the achievement and opportunity gap
Priscilla was one of dozens of African-American teachers who contributed her story to Dr. Sharon Bailey for the DPS Bailey Report. From this study, the School Board passed the Black Excellence Resolution in order to eliminate inequities. Priscilla understands that it is crucial that all children receive a culturally responsive and equitable education so that they are prepared for the rigor of college. Priscilla is the 2020 Harriet Tubman "Moses" Teacher Leader of the Year recipient from The EduCtr and bestowed an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the Aspen Theological Seminary.
Family & Community
Priscilla's married to Canadian-born, Multi-Grammy nominated,#1 Billboard saxophonist & producer, Darren Rahn. Their son's in high school. The family enjoys skiing & snowboarding. They attend Brave Church where Priscilla is a volunteer pianist.