Policy Fellows Across Two Fellowships Will Also Address Literacy, Multilingual Learners, Strategic Staffing, and Special Education
2025-26 Teach Plus Colorado Policy Fellows (2 cohorts)
2025-26 Teach Plus Colorado Senior Policy Fellows (2 cohorts)
Denver, CO, September 11, 2025—To equip students with the resources and expertise they need to succeed in college and careers, Teach Plus Colorado has set an ambitious goal: optimize the quality and quantity of the Centennial State’s workforce. The organization has selected 30 outstanding Colorado educators for two cohorts—2025-26 Teach Plus Colorado Policy Fellowship and 2025-26 Teach Plus Colorado Charter Policy Fellowship—to advocate for education policies that center students’ futures beyond school.
“Every student in Colorado deserves real opportunities to get ahead—whether that’s earning college credits early, gaining skills that employers actually want, or learning through hands-on work experience. These pathways help students build better lives for themselves and their families. Teachers know their students best and understand what works in the classroom. That’s why our two groups of educators are focused on making sure young people across our state have what they need to succeed in whatever future they choose to build,” said Teach Plus Colorado Executive Director Dr. Jamita Horton.
Building on the work of the past cohorts of Teach Plus Colorado teacher leaders, the new Policy Fellows will also advocate for policies that improve literacy, support multilingual learners and those in special education, and rethink school staffing. In 2024, Teach Plus Policy Fellows and alumni influenced education policy across the state–meeting with policymakers and providing testimony on legislation such as SB25-315 that expands access to postsecondary and workforce readiness programs.
The 2025-26 Colorado Policy Fellows represent communities across the state—from Cedaredge in the west to Pueblo in the east—and teach an array of subjects from preK–12.
Throughout the programs, Teach Plus develops and deepens Fellows’ expertise in policy analysis, advocacy, research, and communications, equipping them with the skills to bring evidence-based solutions to the table. Each Fellow was selected for their ability to articulate the needs of their students and communities and their demonstrated excellence and innovation in teaching, ensuring they can effectively advocate for meaningful changes that will benefit children across Colorado.
“I believe that every student—regardless of their background or learning style—deserves the opportunity to succeed,” said second-year 2025-26 Teach Plus Colorado Charter Policy Fellow Emily Cohen, who teaches in Denver. “My experience with Teach Plus has deepened my commitment to these values, pushing me to collaborate with colleagues and advocate for policies that provide essential support in our classrooms. Teach Plus has also given me the necessary tools to engage fellow educators and stakeholders in the conversations needed to drive student-centered change.”
The 2025-26 Teach Plus Colorado Policy Fellows are:
- Amy Buford, Estes Park School District
- Anna Rose Cooke, Harrison School District 2 (Colorado Springs)
- Joceline Garcia Figueroa, Harrison School District 2 (Colorado Springs)
- Sarah Lindholm, Harrison School District 2 (Colorado Springs)
- Dominic Repucci, Pueblo School District 60
- Catherine Schulz, Harrison School District 2 (Colorado Springs)
- Sara Sharer, Delta Joint School District 50
- Rachel Shearer, Aurora School District
- Holly Stimson, Adams School District 12
- Christina Thompson, Denver Public Schools
- Jeanette Valdez, Pueblo School District 60
- Gayle Van Tol, Boulder Valley School District
The 2025-26 Teach Plus Colorado Senior Policy Fellows are:
- Sarah Christesen, Boulder Valley School District
- Mary Rose Donahue, Boulder Valley School District
- Laura Vance, Harrison School District 2 (Colorado Springs)
The 2025-26 Teach Plus Colorado Charter Policy Fellows are:
- Logan Brown, DSST Cole Middle School (Denver)
- Emily Cohen, Rocky Mountain Prep – Ruby Hill (Denver)
- Lucas Calhoun, Coperni 3 (Colorado Springs)
- Ellen Gelman, Rocky Mountain Prep – SMART (Denver)
- James Gregg, Atlas Prep High School (Colorado Springs)
- Colin Haverkamp, DSST College View Middle School (Denver)
- Lauren Hick, Rocky Mountain Prep – SMART (Denver)
- Cory Montreuil, DSST Conservatory Green High School (Denver)
- Samantha Palacio, Rocky Mountain Prep – SMART (Denver)
- Mari Peterson, Rocky Mountain Prep – Creekside (Denver)
- Brittany Sharp, Atlas Prep High School (Colorado Springs)
- Erin Tully, Rocky Mountain Prep – Ruby Hill (Denver)
- Janeya Vandyke, DSST Cole Middle School (Denver)
The 2025-26 Teach Plus Colorado Charter Senior Policy Fellows are:
- Katie Kaepplinger, Rocky Mountain Prep – Fletcher (Aurora)
- Garfield Warren, DSST Green Valley Ranch High School (Denver)
If interested in interviewing Executive Director Dr. Jamita Horton 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. 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. Learn more about Teach Plus Colorado at https://teachplus.org/co/.
