Denver, CO—Teach Plus, a national non-profit that empowers teachers to lead improvements in policy and practice, has selected 19 highly-effective teacher leaders as Fellows of its second Colorado Teaching Policy Fellowship. During the nine-month program, Fellows will work on state-level issues such as teacher prep, teacher evaluation, the school to prison pipeline, and students’ social-emotional learning. The program empowers teachers to magnify the impact they have in their classrooms through interactions with education leaders and opportunities to advocate for policies that will better serve Colorado teachers and students.
“The new cohort will build upon the work of the 2017-18 Fellows, who provided recommendations on legislation to support teacher recruitment and retention, published policy briefs on early childhood discipline and teacher leadership, and provided resources for teachers on the state’s K-12 funding,” said Mark Sass, Colorado State Policy Director. “The perspectives these educators bring to bear on these and other key issues are vital to ensuring that teachers are charting the course of our students’ education along with other stakeholders.”
“I am excited to advocate for both students and educators during the Teach Plus Fellowship. Policies are often put in place with the intent of benefiting schools, but the effect that these have on the people inside the schools can be overlooked,” said Melissa Good, 2018-19 Colorado Teaching Policy Fellow and 5th grade teacher at Oak Grove Elementary in Montrose County School District. “I look forward to elevating my voice in a way that will have a meaningful impact on both me and my students’ lives.”
The new Fellows come from across the state and teach in a variety of urban and rural districts. Many of the Fellows are leaders in their schools and communities and have been recognized for their outstanding instruction.
The 2018-19 Colorado Teaching Policy Fellows are:
James Anthofer, Denver School of Science and Technology: Cole, Denver Public Schools
Slyvia Barrows, Stapleton High School, Denver Public Schools
Paige Dulaney, Merino Elementary School, Buffalo School District
Amy Fleig, Compass Montessori, Jefferson County School District
Allison Fried, Henry Middle School, Denver Public Schools
Erin Gallimore, Glenwood Spring Elementary School, Roaring Fork School District
Melissa Good, Oak Grove Elementary, Montrose County School District
Patrick Hammond, Legacy High School, Adams 12 Five Star Schools
Christine Hawkinson, Palmer High School, Colorado Springs District 11
Koli Jamerson, Altura Elementary, Aurora Public Schools
Kristen Johnson, The International School at Thornton Middle, Adams 12 Five Star Schools
Jessica Lindsay, STRIVE Prep-Kepner, Denver Public Schools
Coza Perry, Bear Valley International School, Denver Public Schools
Kendall Reiley, Glenwood Springs Elementary School, Roaring Fork School District
Kiara Roberts, Dr. Martin Luther King JR Early College, Denver Public Schools
Lora Roberts, STRIVE Prep Ruby Hill, Denver Public Schools
Sarah Seaman, Conservatory Green High School, Denver Public Schools
Sarah Temple, Vista Ridge High School, Falcon School District 49
Amanda Wenzell, STRIVE Prep- Ruby Hill, Denver Public Schools
About Teach Plus
The mission of Teach Plus is to empower excellent, experienced teachers to take leadership over key policy and practice issues that affect their students’ success. Since 2009, Teach Plus has trained thousands of teacher leaders across the country who are driving policy changes and improving the instructional practices of teachers to create an education system driven by equity, access, and excellence for all students. teachplus.org
