Paola Paga is an accomplished educational leader with over a decade of experience in the charter school sector. She currently serves as the Director of the Charter School Office at the Colorado Department of Education (CDE), where she leads a dedicated team focused on supporting more than 260 charter schools across the state. Her work is centered on enhancing opportunity, access, and inclusion for students in Colorado through high-quality public school choice options.

For the past six years, Paola has advanced her career within the CDE’s Schools of Choice Unit, which serves families and stakeholders to provide innovative educational opportunities. Before joining the CDE, Paola expanded her leadership and policy expertise by staffing several statewide and local campaigns and spent the 2017 legislative session working with the Colorado House Speaker’s office.

Paola’s diverse career in the education policy space began with hands-on experience. She spent five years as an elementary school teacher in both Denver and Houston, where she developed a deep understanding of the needs and challenges of students and educators.

Outside of her professional life, Paola is dedicated to giving back to her community. She enjoys mentoring youth and is an active member of various community organizations. In her free time, Paola loves yoga, hiking, and gardening with her husband, Marc. They are proud homeowners in Denver, where they're raising their two wonderful children, Aaron and Olivia.