Erin Kane
Head of School
Erin Kane led the effort to found American Academy in 2005, and served on the American Academy Board of Directors as President of the Board for 5 years. As Head of School, Erin is responsible for all aspects of American Academy, from academic excellence to financial stability and operational success. Erin’s background in business and management allows her to focus on all aspects of running an effective school organization. Erin has assembled a management team with expertise in academics, STEM, financial management, and technology to achieve the mission of American Academy. Erin is a Colorado native with an engineering degree in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Colorado. She worked in the high technology industry for 10 years, including positions in development, project management, education, consulting and practice management. After opening American Academy, Erin co-founded Epsilon Solutions, a technology and business systems consulting company. Erin and her husband, John, have three children, Meghan, Peter, and Emma.
Amanda Lane-Cline
Senior Academic Director (6-8)
Amanda Lane-Cline is the administrator for grades 5-8 and she oversees all things STEM at American Academy, including our unique STEM Discover Week program, our Saxon Math program, science curriculum, and technology education in grades k-8.  Before moving to Colorado, Ms. Lane-Cline was the Coordinator of Curriculum Design for the Public Education and Risk Communication Division of the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute in New Jersey.  There she directed programs for multimedia curriculum development.  She received her Masters of Public Health degree in Health Education and Behavioral Science from the Rutgers/ The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, and her Bachelors degree in Natural Science/ Microbiology from the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. Amanda takes k-8 STEM education to a whole new level at American Academy.
Krystal Kroeker
Academic Director (K-5)
Krystal Kroeker is the administrator for grades K-4 and oversees the AA curriculum ion the areas of literacy, Core Knowledge, and Core Virtues. Krystal started her career teaching fourth grade at Monument Academy and has been involved with charter schools for the past decade, both as a teacher and an administrator. She received her B.A. in Communications and Elementary Education from the University of Northern Colorado. She holds a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and received her Principal Licensure from the University of Phoenix in February of 2008. Krystal also works part-time as a consultant for the Core Knowledge Foundation, writing units and traveling around the country to help other schools implement this great curriculum.
Ron Smith
Dean of Students
Ron Smith grew up in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until he was 26. He started working for General Motors in 1979 and the corporation transferred him to St. Louis, Missouri, in the spring of 1984 where he lived until he moved to Colorado in June of 2000. He's been married to his wife Jeanne for twenty-three years, and they have a daughter, Ashley (22), a son. Brendan (21), and a two-year old grandson named Chase. His higher education consists of attending Lawrence Institute of Technology where he studied electrical engineering for four years, at the end of which General Motors transferred him to St. Louis. During his time in St. Louis, he earned an electronic/robotic engineering degree and a degree in education. He taught elementary and middle school for 14 years and his teaching licenses include math, science, language arts, and social studies
Brian Wherry
IT Director
Brian Wherry manages American Academy’s local and wide area network and oversees all technology related support for staff and students. Brian is a Colorado native with an Exercise Sports Science degree in teaching from the University of Arizona, though he never taught a day in his life. Brian has been working in IT for over 10 years including over six years at Pentax Imaging Company and recently running his own computer consulting company.  Brian and his wife Joanie have been married for 16 years and have 3 children….2 of which attend American Academy.  He is very grateful to be working at AA and enjoys every minute of it.
Steve Cunningham
Facility Manager