Dan Ajamian
Founder and Executive Director
Mr. Ajamian has spent his career in education because of a tuition-free public charter school that changed his life.
When his family moved to the United States, “school choice” was largely limited to families who could move to a different neighborhood or afford private school. However, the year he entered kindergarten was the first year tuition-free public charter schools were an option in Colorado Springs. Mr. Ajamian’s name was selected in the lottery, and he attended one of the highest-performing schools in the state from kindergarten through eighth grade. He experienced a rich and beautiful curriculum, grew in character, and made lifelong friends. He has spearheaded the founding of East Hills Academy so more children in Colorado Springs can have that same experience.
Prior to East Hills, Mr. Ajamian spent more than a decade serving as a head of school, dean, teacher, inner-city school tutor, and co-founder of an award-winning public charter school. He grew up in D11, where he still lives today, graduated from Palmer High School, and earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
Leah Pittsinger, M.Ed.
Founding Principal
Mrs. Pittsinger is honored to serve as the Founding Principal at East Hills Academy. The great philosopher Socrates said, “Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.” In the same spirit, Mrs. Pittsinger’s heart is for all students who attend East Hills Academy to first know that they are loved, supported, and welcome as we seek to ignite a passion for learning and establish a foundation of character formation.
Mrs. Pittsinger began her career in education in 2008 and has served in a variety of roles, including teacher, director, and curriculum writer. As a member of the founding team at Great Hearts Academy Prairie View, she gained firsthand experience in school startup and development, contributing to the school’s growth from 200 students to 800 students by its second year. As the campus expanded, she transitioned into administrative leadership, most recently serving as Assistant Headmaster.
Throughout her career, Mrs. Pittsinger has been a committed advocate for providing students with an exemplary and equitable education. She holds a principal’s license and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Brandon DelGrosso
Founding Director of Community Engagement and Enrollment
Mr. DelGrosso taught middle school history and math at a local Core Knowledge school for three years. The past fifteen years, he has spent his time engaging in the community through small business and nonprofit work in downtown Colorado Springs and nearby neighborhoods, and he continues to connect with the community through his businesses that focus on hospitality.
Mr. DelGrosso, his wife of twenty years, and their four girls find themselves on nearly all the trails around the Springs. His favorite book is The Hobbit; however, he finds himself reading all the new junior fiction with his family.
Dr. Tina Errthum
Academic Program Development Specialist
Dr. Errthum is an educational consultant and national speaker who partners with schools and districts across the United States and internationally with the implementation of research-proven, content-rich curricula and mastery-based teaching practices. As an Academic Program Development Specialist for East Hills Academy, she is creating a site-based professional development program that focuses on aligning and developing curriculum and creating engaging learning environments.
Dr. Errthum served as Head of School of a toddler-twelfth grade classical charter school in Florida from 2018-2021. Prior to that, she was the Direct Instruction coordinator for the Greeley-Evans school district for nine years where she trained, coached, and led the K-1 reading program. Dr. Errthum’s teaching and leadership career began at The Vanguard School back in 2003.
Kayla Matos
Academic Program Development Specialist
Mrs. Matos is developing a high-quality academic program, researching best instructional practices, and designing a comprehensive professional development plan for teachers at East Hills Academy. Mrs. Matos has worked in the field of education for 26 years. She taught third and fourth grade for nine years in Indiana and Colorado, including eight years at The Vanguard School, before transitioning into administration, where she served for sixteen years as Assistant Principal and Director of Instruction. Mrs. Matos then served as the Academic Dean at Colorado Springs Charter Academy for three and a half years.
Dr. Saadia Dumas, MAHS, Ed.D.
Enrollment and Outreach Consultant
Dr. Dumas has dedicated the past 16 years of her career to supporting students and families in delivering an excellent education through the Core Knowledge curriculum. With six years of experience as an educator and ten years as a school leader at a new charter school, Dr. Dumas has collaborated with teachers, specialists, and other administrators to help students grow academically and develop strong character. Her passion is creating a learning environment where every student feels seen, supported, and capable of success.
Sara Ajamian
Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Ajamian is happy to be supporting the founding of East Hills Academy in her role as an Administrative Assistant. Mrs. Ajamian’s career in education began in the fall of 2014 when she joined the Teach For America corps and moved to South Texas to teach high school science. After three years in the classroom, she transitioned to school administration as the Founding School Director of a private elementary school. As a proud Palmer High School graduate, she is excited to be serving the families in her home district.