As superintendent of Lewis-Palmer School District 38, Amber Whetstine is laying the foundation for the future one relationship at a time.
Whetstine officially stepped into the role of superintendent in July 2025, but her commitment to the district’s priority of “Valuing Our People,” was evident long before then. Prior to serving in D38’s top leadership position, Whetstine served as assistant superintendent and interim superintendent.
“I’m always proud of the relationships that I’ve developed over the years, whether with students, staff, families, or community members,” said Whetstine. “Someday when people look back and think of me, I hope they remember the authentic and caring relationships I established.”
Whetstine began her career in education in St. Paul, Minnesota as a teacher, and moved to Colorado in 2002. However, education was more than a career choice for her. It’s something that reflects her personal beliefs. “I believe that education is the field where you can influence the future of our country. There is no greater responsibility and honor than developing our next leaders.”
After arriving in the Pikes Peak region, Whetstine worked in neighboring School District 49 in a variety of roles including teacher, instructional coach, principal, the district’s school improvement coordinator, and its executive director of learning services, before coming to Lewis-Palmer School District in 2021.
Her decision to transition to serving the Tri-Lakes Community was easy. This is a place that values education. “One thing that’s unique about our community is how involved the citizens are in supporting our students and schools. I’ve come to really appreciate how much community support there is for our district,” shared Whetstine. “From the Monument Hill Kiwanis Club to our faith-based community to the Tri-Lakes Women’s Club, as just a few examples, the amount of support for our students and staff is overwhelming.”
That commitment has inspired a new program that will launch next school year to engage more of our community—”Citizens in Our Schools.” The program will invite residents, especially retirees and those who do not have children in our schools, to visit D38 campuses and experience the district firsthand. “We have so much to offer students in our district. We call it, ‘The D38 Difference.’ We might be a small community, but we offer big opportunities. The ‘Citizens in Our Schools’ program will invite everyone in our community to experience that difference.”
One of those big opportunities unique to D38 is the Career & Innovation Center. Whetstine played a key role in opening the new learning center in August 2025. Programs at the facility provide relevant, work-based learning opportunities for students and hands-on experiences that connect to high-demand careers. This year courses included advanced manufacturing, civil engineering, welding, and construction. Phase two offerings will include pathways in healthcare and computer science.
Whetstine’s commitment to exceptional learning opportunities isn’t only professional. Whetstine is also a D38 parent. Her daughter, Amelia, will be a sophomore this fall at Lewis-Palmer High School. “As a parent, I can’t think of a district that has all of the components that we have that contribute to student success … from strong academics, to student support, to a variety of extracurricular activities. I have seen my daughter flourish, and benefit from amazing teachers and rigorous academic programs.”
That excellence is reflected across the district. Schools and students regularly receive recognition at both the state and national levels. Awards include multiple National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists and Finalists, All-State Band and Orchestra Awards, DECA International Qualifiers, numerous athletic championships, and more.
Even with all those achievements, Whetstine still believes one of the best parts about D38 is that it’s “just the right size.” “One of the benefits of being in a district our size is that I can really get to know our parents and staff members. I spend as much time as I can in the schools, talking with staff, and visiting classrooms to connect with students,” she said.
This past spring Whetstine and the district leadership team invested time in “listening tours” to meet with representative groups of employees at each school for informal conversations. The goal was to learn what’s going well, and where improvements could be made. For a district to be high-performing, it needs talented staff members who feel valued, which is a belief that goes back to Whetstine’s commitment to building relationships and connections.
Having a supportive and involved Board of Education makes a difference too. “I am so grateful to work with such dedicated volunteers who serve our staff, students, and community. They care deeply about the success of our students.”
Like many school districts across the state and nation, D38 continues to balance high expectations with limited resources. “We will continue to do our best to deliver an exceptional education for all students with limited resources. This year has been no exception,” said Whetstine. “We are working really hard to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars to ensure our resources are as lean as possible, while still providing the highest level of education for our students.”
When Whetstine isn’t busy at “Big Red” (D38’s administration building) or visiting schools, she enjoys spending time with her daughter and like-minded husband, Brett. “Brett works in healthcare, and we both have hearts of service for people. He works to develop relationships with his patients and staff, and also has a mission to serve. We hope to instill that same service mindset in Amelia.”
A heart for service and valuing people. That’s the legacy that Whestine hopes to leave behind someday.
“The strength of D38 lies in our people,” added Whetstine. “Our staff, students, and Board of Education members consistently go above expectations every day. They reflect excellence in learning, leadership, and service. I feel so lucky to be the leader of Lewis-Palmer School District 38.”
**Republished with the permission of Monument Living Magazine, August 2026**
