Jessie Whaley Maxwell was the first African-American Administrator in Denver Public Schools and in the state of Colorado. In 1955, Maxwell was named Principal of Whittier Elementary School, a position she held until 1966. She then became Principal of Columbine Elementary School until her retirement in 1972. The Jessie Whaley Maxwell Elementary opened in 1998, and is named after  Maxwell.

source:

http://maxwell.dpsk12.org/history/