Mary Nelson
Executive Director and Head of School (she/her/hers)
Dr. Mary Nelson is the Executive Director and Head of School at the Denver Cooperative Preschool (DCP) and has been working in education for over twenty years. She has been a member of the DCP cooperative community since 2009. During that time, Mary has served as a parent, board member, Assistant Director, and Executive Director. Community-based education is at the heart of Mary’s educational philosophy, and she believes deeply in the power of collaboration between children, their families, and the school community. Working closely with families is one of Mary’s strengths, and she has a passion for supporting parents in realizing their vision for their child’s education.
Mary’s research interests are focused on the social and structural factors impacting parent and caregiver engagement, reconceptualizing family engagement through an equity lens, and alternative narratives of quality in early childhood. Her doctoral research project was titled "Family Engagement Across Diverse Contexts: Studying the Relationship Between Program Practice and the Colorado Shines Quality Rating Improvement System." In May, 2025, Mary’s co-authored publication “Partnerships for Early Childhood Workforce Development” was published in the book Developing Trauma-Informed Teachers: Intentional Partnerships to Create Classrooms that Foster Equity, Resiliency and Asset-Based Approaches.
In addition to her role at DCP, Mary serves as adjunct faculty at the University of Colorado Denver and University of Northern Colorado. She teaches courses on early childhood leadership, working with families and communities, and early language and literacy for culturally and linguistically diverse learners. Mary co-facilitates the Denver Director’s Professional Learning Community, a group of over seventy early childhood directors in the Denver metro area that meets monthly for collaboration, support, and strengthening the field. Mary is also a member of the Denver Director’s Equity and Advocacy group through Denver’s Early Childhood Council, and is passionate about advocating for growth and positive change for children, families, and early educators in Colorado.
Mary holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Notre Dame, an M.A. in Educational Psychology from the University of Colorado Denver, and a Doctorate of Education in Leadership for Educational Equity with a focus in Early Childhood from the University of Colorado Denver. She is a graduate of the Stanley British Primary Teacher Residency Program (now known as the Public Education and Business Coalition), and was a 2018-19 fellow in the Buell Early Childhood Leadership Program through the University of Colorado, Denver.
Mary lives in Denver with her husband, three children, four dogs (Beans, Honey, Goose, and Maple), and a very busy and well-loved coffee pot. Her passions include cooking, gardening, hiking, mycology, and exploring Denver by foot!