Kristin Driver, Principal
Hello! My name is Kristin Driver. I am the principal at Explorer Elementary School. I have had the privilege of serving this community in an administrative role for the past 13 years. I began my career at Explorer in 2004 as the K-5 Science teacher, transitioned to teach 5th graders, was the assistant principal for 8 years and have been the principal for the past 5 years.
Making fun experiences for kids is a passion of mine, so you may see me in costumes or doing fun competitions for the staff and kids throughout the year. I like to call these events FFF (Forced Family Fun)! We have a very involved parent community, which I love, because raising a child involves true partnerships with families. I believe that every person that walks into our building has value and it is our job to invest in the lives of others and get to know their stories.
I have been married to my husband, Brandon, for 15 years. We have 2 children, Olivia and Jackson. Olivia is a third grader and comes to Explorer with me! Jackson is four and attends preschool. I love to travel and explore the world. Some of my favorite places I have visited are South Africa, Swaziland, South Korea, and Kenya. I also lived in Colombia South America when I was younger.
Nicole Lovato, Assistant Principal
Hello! My name I s Nicole Lovato, and I am proud to serve as the Assistant Principal at Explorer Elementary School. I began my career in education in Fort Collins, Colorado, as a third-grade teacher after graduating from the University of Northern Colorado. In 2018, I joined the Explorer community as a fifth-grade teacher. During my time in the classroom, I earned my master’s degree in Educational Leadership along with my principal’s license. I’ve always been passionate about leadership and find great joy in supporting teachers so they can be their very best for students.
Like Mrs. Driver, I’m a firm believer that school should be fun! I want Explorer to be a place where students feel safe, loved, and connected—a community where learning is joyful and meaningful. I value strong partnerships with families and believe that small gestures of kindness and positivity create lasting impact. Explorer truly is a special place where staff come together to do what’s right for kids, and I feel honored to be part of it every day.
I was born and raised in Colorado Springs, where my family—and my husband’s—still live. My husband and I graduated from the same high school and were married in 2019. We’re now the proud parents of two wonderful girls, Eloise (born in 2022) and Lucille (born in 2024). Watching their personalities blossom has been such a joy and has made me a more empathetic, well-rounded educator. In my free time, I love skiing, working out, going on long walks, camping, and playing games.