DENVER, CO, January 23, 2025—Teach Plus, a national nonprofit that empowers teachers to lead student-centered improvements in educational policy and instructional practice, has announced that Dr. Jamita Horton has joined the organization as Executive Director of Teach Plus Colorado. Dr. Horton will helm the Colorado Policy Fellowship programs that engage teachers in advocating for and shaping key policy decisions on issues such as preparing all Colorado students for post-secondary success. Prior to joining Teach Plus, Dr. Horton was the Executive Policy Officer at the Public Education & Business Coalition.
“Jamita’s deep-seated experience as a classroom teacher, teacher leader, principal, and education advocate and her understanding of the needs of teachers and students in Colorado are second to none. We’re thrilled to welcome her to our team and to grow our work and partnerships in the state under her leadership,” said Kira Orange Jones, Chief Executive Officer of Teach Plus.
“As Teach Plus Colorado Executive Director, I look forward to centering educator voices in the creation of policies that promote equitable and transformative opportunities for all students,” said Dr. Horton. “By empowering teachers and leveraging their expertise, we can develop an education system that truly prepares every student for success both inside the classroom and beyond.”
Dr. Horton’s career spans over a decade as a teacher, principal, advocate, and leader. As Executive Policy Officer at Denver’s Public Education & Business Coalition, she represented the organization in stakeholder meetings with legislators, agency leaders, and partners, focusing on the advancement of early childhood education. Prior to that, Dr. Horton was a kindergarten teacher at Rocky Mountain Prep Southwest in Denver, an assistant principal in Southwest Denver, and a Policy Fellow and Senior Research Fellow with Teach Plus. She earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Denver. Dr. Horton holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies and Women’s Studies with an Education Policy Certificate from the University of Wisconsin, and a master’s degree in Urban Education from Cardinal Stritch University, which she completed during her time as a Teach for America corps member.
About Teach Plus
The mission of Teach Plus is to empower excellent, experienced, and diverse teachers to take leadership over key policy and practice issues that affect their students’ success. In pursuing this mission, Teach Plus is guided by the Student Opportunity Mandate: All students should have the opportunity to achieve their potential in an education system defined by its commitment to equity, its responsiveness to individual needs, and its ability to prepare students for postsecondary success. Since 2009, Teach Plus has developed thousands of teacher leaders across the country to exercise their leadership in shaping education policy and improving teaching and learning for students. Teachplus.org
