Fellows will advocate for school accountability, supports for special education, postsecondary and workforce readiness, and innovations in strategic staffing.
Denver, CO, November 12, 2024 — Teach Plus, a national nonprofit that empowers teachers to lead student-centered improvements in educational policy and instructional practice, has selected a diverse group of 16 charter sector educators from around Colorado for its inaugural 2024-25 Charter Teacher Policy Fellowship cohort. The Fellows will focus on a range of issues of importance to Colorado’s students and communities, including school accountability, supports for special education, postsecondary and workforce readiness, and reimagining the teaching role.
“We are excited to work with a group of passionate and professional educators who will bring an innovative and open mind to the K-12 education system in Colorado. These charter educators understand the unique position they work in and how it can positively impact the academic outcomes for all public education students,” said Mark Sass, Teach Plus Colorado Executive Director.
“My goals for engaging in policy advocacy for students with special needs is to help identify areas within our special education system that can be improved to better support and reach our special needs population,” said Katie Kaepplinger, 2024-25 Teach Plus Colorado Charter Teacher Policy Fellow and special education teacher in Aurora.
The 2024-25 cohort brings together dynamic teachers from five charter networks across Colorado Springs and the Denver Metro area. These Fellows span a wide range of subjects and grade levels, from kindergarten to 12th grade, and work in a variety of innovative charter school environments. This diverse group shares a deep commitment to ensuring all students 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.
“Charter teachers have a front-row seat to the opportunities and challenges in their schools and networks, making their voices essential in shaping policies that benefit not just their students but the broader K-12 public education system. Their leadership in policy advocacy on special education, postsecondary readiness, school accountability, and reimagining the teaching role will ensure Colorado education policy is grounded in classroom realities and creates pathways for all students to succeed,” said Karen Amidon, Teach Plus Colorado Teacher Charter Advocacy Manager.
“As a Teach Plus Fellow, I’m hoping to dive deeper into the current root causes of teacher shortages and lack of teacher retention. Understanding how we can attract and retain high quality teachers will directly impact student learning,” said Emily Cohen, 2024-25 Teach Plus Colorado Charter Teacher Policy Fellow and elementary school teacher in Denver.
The 2024-25 Teach Plus Colorado Charter Teacher Policy Fellows are:
- Jan-Louis Burroughs, DEI and External Affairs Intern, DSST Public Schools
- Gabrielle Cauchon, Elevate NE Middle School, DSST Public Schools
- MacKenzie Chittum, James Irwin Elementary School – Canada Drive
- Luke Clair-Ficko, Elevate NE High School, DSST Public Schools
- Emily Cohen, Ruby Hill Elementary School, Rocky Mountain Prep
- Alexis Daniels, James Irwin Elementary School – Astrozon
- Cy Davis, Montview High School, DSST Public Schools
- Katie Kaepplinger, Fletcher Elementary School, Rocky Mountain Prep
- Elijah Kane, Conservatory Green High School, DSST Public Schools
- Sonya Meyers, Southwest Elementary School, Rocky Mountain Prep
- Tim Nelson, Cole Middle School, DSST Public Schools
- Gretchen Pearson, Aurora Science and Technology Middle School, DSST Public Schools
- Brittany Sharp, Atlas High School, Atlas Preparatory School
- Katie Toler, Coperni 3, Third Future Schools
- Emily Wagner, Cole High School, DSST Public Schools
- Garfield Warren, Green Valley Ranch High School, DSST Public Schools
If interested in interviewing Executive Director Mark Sass or any of the Fellows, please contact Kelly Pearce at kpearce@teachplus.org or 928-925-9236.
About Teach Plus
Teach Plus is dedicated to the mission of empowering excellent, experienced, and diverse teachers to take leadership over key policy and practice issues that advance equity, opportunity, and student success. In pursuing our mission, Teach Plus is guided by our 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. Teach Plus Colorado
