Admin Team

Dear Lotus Family,

       It is with great pleasure that I introduce myself as your new Assistant Executive Director, John Kara. With a loving family of three children, I bring forth over two decades of invaluable experience in K-12 Charter Schools, spanning diverse regions from Oklahoma to North Carolina. My journey in education has been deeply rewarding, encompassing roles ranging from Science and Chemistry Teacher to Department Head, Assistant Principal, and Principal. Notably, under my guidance, our previous institution consistently achieved an ‘A’ rating, a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence. Furthermore, I am humbled to have received recognition as the principal from the NC Department of Public Instruction for our school’s exceptional academic achievements, an accolade that underscores our collective dedication to educational excellence.

       In addition to my responsibilities as Assistant Executive Director, I am honored to take on the role of acting Principal for both our middle and high schools until the end of the year. I am committed to ensuring a seamless transition and maintaining our high standards of excellence during this period.

       With a strong background in STEM, I have initiated numerous STEM programs in my previous roles, enhancing our students’ learning experiences and better preparing them for future challenges. Equipped with a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, alongside additional studies in Biochemistry, I am enthusiastic about harnessing my extensive background and network to make meaningful contributions to our Lotus family.

       Thank you wholeheartedly for the warm welcome extended to me. I eagerly look forward to the opportunity to meet each of you in person soon!

John Kara,
Assistant Executive Director

Greetings Parents/Guardians, Students and Staff,

My name is Kelly Renee (Banks) Hamm, and I am thrilled to serve as the HR Director for Lotus School for Excellence. I am dedicated to ensuring that our school attracts, and retains the best talent. In my career as a Human Resources professional, I have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in all aspects of HR Management. I have witnessed the special challenges and opportunities that arise in the K-12 public charter school environment. I am constantly working towards reinforcing HR strategies to meet the specific needs of the faculty, administrators and support staff.

As the Human Resources Director, my role includes the full spectrum of HR functions including payroll, compensation, benefits administration, recruitment, employee onboarding, policy development, and employee relations. It is my goal to implement recruitment strategies that attract highly qualified educators who possess a passion for student growth and success, and who are equally skilled in their craft.

I hold a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management and possess multiple certificates in HR practices and employment law. I am a member of the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) and I regularly attend Human Resource training to stay abreast of industry best practices.

As the HR Director at Lotus School for Excellence, I am dedicated along with our administrative team to cultivate a workplace that values Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and empowers our staff to make a profound impact on our students’ lives. I am eager and excited about continuing to help achieve success in the school environment and helping to develop the future of education.

I look forward to working together with our dedicated team of professionals at Lotus School for Excellence to ensure that we continue to provide the best educational experience possible for our wonderful students.

Kelly Hamm, MBA
HR Director

Dear Lotus Family,
It is a great privilege and honor to join the Lotus Family as your Secondary School Principal for grades 6-12. Education has the power to transform lives, and my own journey—from growing up in Kyrgyzstan to pursuing my dreams in the United States—has shown me firsthand how education can turn aspirations into reality.

I have spent 14 years in education, starting as a teacher and later moving into leadership roles, including Assistant Principal and Lead College Guidance Counselor. Throughout my career, I have focused on fostering academic excellence, increasing college acceptance rates, and supporting professional growth for educators. With a background in STEM education and college counseling, I am committed to ensuring that every student has the tools and support they need to succeed.

My mission is to create a nurturing and inclusive environment where both students and staff are empowered to reach their full potential. I believe in the power of equity, collaboration, and continuous learning. I am excited to build a school culture that is focused on growth, achievement, and community.

Outside of school, I enjoy barbecuing, traveling, and spending time outdoors with my family. I am truly looking forward to growing and thriving with the Lotus community in the years ahead.

Educationally Yours,

Ermek Bakyt, M.Ed, M.A.
Principal (MS & HS)

I am excited to join the administrative team at Lotus for the 2024-25 school year! While this is my twenty-second year as an educator, this is my first year as an administrator. Last year I was the School Counselor at Lotus and was so impressed by the students and teachers that I wanted to be even more involved in the future of the school.

My career in education began in Pennsylvania, where I received my undergraduate degree in English from Bucknell University and taught high school English and coached basketball, baseball, track, and cross country. Having earned by Master’s in School Counseling from Eastern University, I served for three years as an Academic Intervention Specialist and eventually transitioned to the counselor’s office until 2020.

In 2020 my family moved to the Denver metro area, and we participate in practically everything the Front Range has to offer… except skiing.

Sam Feeney
High School Assistant Principal

I am thrilled to start my second year as the middle school assistant principal. This will be my 14th year as an educator and third year as an administrator. As an educator, I strive to create an inclusive, safe, motivational learning environment in which all students have equal access to learning regardless of their background and needs. The biggest joy for me is seeing my students grow academically, emotionally and socially.

I was born and raised in El Paso, TX. I am a first generation Mexican-American and college graduate. I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Texas at El Paso. After moving to Colorado, I obtained my Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Denver and recently, my Principal Licensure from the University of Denver.

I am blessed to have two sons and a husband who have supported me in all my professional endeavors. As a parent, I have learned to greatly appreciate the partnership between school and family in order to maximize every child’s potential. The aspirations I have for my sons are the same aspirations I have for my students. I want them to excel and become productive human beings with bountiful opportunities to accomplish their dreams. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family and my doodles. I enjoy traveling and experiencing new places and cultures.

I look forward to continuing my partnership with this wonderful community !

Kind Regards,

Adriana Felix
Middle School Assistant Principal

“We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community.” – César Chávez

Welcome to the LSE Community,

It is with great enthusiasm and excitement to continue to serve the LSE community as the Elementary Assistant Principal.  I am truly honored beyond words to know that I have the support of all stakeholders.  I will continue the work of advocating for and providing all students and families with an educational experience, where values and diversity are celebrated.  I am committed to working with the rest of the administration team as we continue to provide leadership and build a structure of collaborative relationships in the school and community so that all students have a variety of opportunities to succeed.

My decision to become an educational leader came from my desire to make a positive impact on an entire school community.  I will work diligently with our staff, and community to carry out the vision and mission of LSE.  This role provides me the chance to work collaboratively with teachers daily, while also remaining connected to our students’ growth and learning that takes place in the classroom.  Diversity and inclusion are pillars of my educational mantra.  I am committed to continuous professional growth and ensuring educational equity and access for all of our students.

Without education, people have no chance to impact the lives of others in their community. I want to give the children I teach a chance to give back to their community and society. It seems as though my entire working life has been devoted to children and their well-being. Hearing the laughter of a child, or just the smile brought to a little one’s face has made my decision in becoming a member of the educational society an easy one.

I am forever grateful to be part of the LSE community and excited for the future.

Thanks for all you do,

Elias M. Huerta, M.A., M.Ed.

About Myself

I am thrilled and honored to serve the Lotus community as the Secondary Dean of Student Culture / Assistant Principal. I have 16 years of experience in education; 13 years in the classroom as a Middle School Math Teacher/Department Head/New Teacher Mentor/Coach: Volleyball, Tennis, Softball, as well as an advisor for NJHS & Student Council; 3 years in Secondary Leadership.

I am originally from El Paso, Texas. I have had the opportunity to work with students in El Paso, and Oahu, Hawaii. It has been an honor and a privledge to guide and support students at Secondary grade levels and watch them flourish into successful young adults.

My leadership stems from my practiced philosophy of building strong, trusting relationships with students which, in turn, leads to impactful learning, not limited to academics, but providing students with skills needed to become endearing citizens in a challenging society.

In support of our educators, I am commited to providing our students with the tools needed to develop their student character and shape challenging behaviors to ensure a maximum level of learning.

Certifications:

B.S., Human Resource Management, Park University
M.S. Leadership, Grand Canyon University
M.A. Teacher Leadership, Grand Canyon University
Doctoral Candidate, Grand Canyon University

Contact:
[email protected]
(303) 360-0052