Jon DeStefano

(1945 - )

Raised in Chicago and educated in Catholic schools, Jon DeStefano became a lifelong advocate for public education – as a teacher, coach and school board member. He started his career as an English and journalism teacher at Skinner Middle School in Denver and taught at North High School. While teaching, Jon took on the role of editor of The Slate, the official publication of the Denver Classroom Teachers Association, in 1970, launching him into a new career as president of The Publication Company.

Founded in 1973, the company published newspapers for nonprofits such as teachers’ associations, Realtor’s associations and youth soccer. His unique business plan included writing the stories, designing the layout and selling advertising, so the newspapers were printed at no cost to the nonprofits.

He and his wife, Peggy, who met while she was at Loretto Heights and he was at Regis, decided to move to Jefferson County when their children were young on the advice of a friend, who said Jeffco had one of the best school districts in the nation.