Oct 20, 2021 | Blog
Fall has always been one of my favorite seasons – the fresh, crisp air, football, pumpkin spice (yes, I’m on that team!), falling leaves and new beginnings. My oldest daughter turns 13 in October and so fall also holds that special place for me as well. When fall rolls around each year, for so many reasons, it is always me. A time to look back and a time to look ahead. Fall is commonly thought of as a time to harvest or to reap what has been planted. While I know that this fall has been full of tremendous challenges for us all, as we continue to valiantly educate students in the midst of an on-going global pandemic, it can also be a time for hope. A time to harvest.
In the CEA world, Fall is also that time of year when we kick into high gear with election season. Like most things this school year, this election season feels harder than those of the past. But every day, I remind myself of what is at stake education victory on election night. Whether it is a post on social media, post card writing, phone banking, talking to a neighbor, family member or friend, safely
canvassing a neighborhood, each day I do at least one thing to support election 2021, big or small.
When life gets overwhelming, I try to remember that adage of taking one bite of the way to do small things to ensure victory on election night, then we know that we will reap the rewards with school boards that value educators and support our students and our public schools. We know that there are those out there who are trying to that serves all students, regardless of zip code, skin color, or background. They are counting on us to be too tired to care. But they don’t know the will of educators and what we are willing to do to ensure a great public school for every child.
As the great labor leader, Cesar Chavez reminds us, “We don’t need perfect political systems; we need perfect participation.” The Colorado Education Association is over 39,000 educators across the state of Colorado. We are powerful when we come together. We are powerful when we participate. We are powerful when students and public education. Let’s elect pro-public education advocates to our
school boards. Let’s support local bond and mill levy overrides. While the work is long and hard, the harvest will be bountiful. Si se puede!
Amie Baca-Oehlert is a high school counselor and president of the CEA.
Jun 20, 2021 | Blog
Born and raised in North Denver Ann Franco learned at an early age to never give up and always fight the good fight. Her parents were both leaders and role models: her father was the union president of the Denver Rio Grande Railroad and her mother was the president of the Board of Directors at the Northside Community Center in Denver. When she began her career in Denver Public Schools, it wasn’t immediately clear to Franco that she wanted to be a leader.
“Becoming a leader in our association wasn’t something I had planned on but something that I walked into,” said Franco, an elementary school teacher and Denver Classroom Teachers Association (DCTA) member who’s retiring after 31 years in the classroom. “In the mid 1990s DCTA was looking for a Building Representative for Del Pueblo Elementary and I met a woman named Becky Wissink who handed me a card and said, ‘Come to this meeting, it is only once a month.’”
Shortly after, another colleague, Leonard Fox, asked Franco to attend a meeting for Ethnic Minority Members, which resulted in going to a national Training. She was elected as the Ethnic Minority Director to the DCTA Board of Directors shortly thereafter and Franco continued to serve on the DCTA Board under 4 presidents.
“I am most grateful to Kim Ursetta who trusted my leadership skills and allowed me to lead our ethnic minority members to the next level,” said Franco. “I am also grateful to Henry Roman, Lawrence Garcia and Amie Baca and one of my proudest moments was when my efforts helped CEA meet the ethnic minority recruitment goal under my leadership for the first time in 17 years.”
“I always thought I was too young to retire, but with 31 years in the classroom it felt it was the best time for me to move on. I will miss my students and my co-workers the most but on days that I need a lift, I will just need to remember that I am a woman who made a difference in the classroom, my association and my community.”
Ann Franco, member of the Denver Classroom Teachers Association, retired in May.
Jun 20, 2021 | Blog
821,008 feet. That is the total elevation of the fifty-eight 14ers in Colorado. Those stunning mountains act as both a literal and figurative divide that splits our state into the front range and rural Colorado. Oftentimes, this very real (and very tall) barrier creates ideological differences, inequitable resource allocation, and a lack of opportunity that pose threats to rural communities.
The same divide also finds its way into public education. Here we see rural Colorado has a distinct disadvantage compared to its suburban and urban counterparts. Front range school districts are better funded, have more and newer resources, and give educators opportunities to engage in the most recent and relevant professional learning programs. Unfortunately, rural communities don’t enjoy many of those geographically-dependent advantages.
Luckily, there are groups working on behalf of rural Colorado communities to change the opportunities for educators who choose to live and work far from the I-25 corridor. In 2017, the Colorado Education Association (CEA) partnered with the University of Northern Colorado Center for Rural Education and the Colorado Department of Higher Education to offer the National Board Certified Teacher Stipend. National Board Certification is an opportunity to retain excellent in-service teachers by honoring the hard work that teachers do to become certified and act as leaders in their field. The Stipend program, according to the UNC Rural Education Center, provides “All NBCT stipend recipients [with] support and mentorship from NBCT facilitators in a Colorado Rural National Board cohort. The value of the stipend is $4,250.00.”
The NBCT rural cohorts are fully facilitated by Colorado Education Association members. Karl Ramsen, a cohort facilitator from the Lake County Education Association, says, “I have no desire to become an administrator, but at this point in my career I also want to have an impact beyond the classroom. Facilitating a cohort has allowed me to become a teacher-leader in my district by helping other teachers reflect on their practice and encouraging them to pursue continuous improvement.”
Each cohort has anywhere from 14 to 20 educators who teach in rural Colorado school districts. Each cohort lasts two years, and upon completion of the program, enrolled educators will have submitted materials for all four NBCT components, allowing them to earn the certification. Not only does the NBCT certification demonstrate an educator’s leadership and prowess as an expert teacher, but it also comes with a substantial pay increase in a majority of Colorado school districts.
These kinds of programs that directly benefit rural Colorado educators can often be the sole reason why folks continue to teach in rural schools versus moving to a larger district. Valerie Sherman, the UNC Rural Center Director, notes, “Between Fall 2017 and Summer 2018, before the Center partnered with CEA and developed the Rural National Board Cohort, we awarded a total of 14 NBCT stipends. After partnering with CEA, we have awarded 36 stipends.” While the number seems small, in rural school districts, keeping 36 educators employed means they don’t have to spend valuable dollars hiring new teachers. More importantly, students receive more continuity from expert teachers, resulting in better teaching and learning in nearly every district where NBCT candidates work. Kris Kaplinski, a cohort facilitator from the Aspen Education Association, explains, “The Rural National Board Cohort removes the isolation and replaces it with a support system and group of like-minded educators who are all experiencing the same thing at the same time.”
This type of collaborative, supported professional learning Kaplinski mentions is difficult to attain in rural Colorado as many communities are relatively isolated from one another. According to Rachel Graham, a recent National Board Certified Teacher and current rural cohort facilitator out of the Estes Park Education Association, “Teachers are able to connect with others across the state, support each other and have mentors to coach them through the rigorous process. Rural districts are often isolated from the best practices happening in classrooms and this program allows connection with others.” These types of communities are a key factor to ensure that candidates grow their teaching practices while also remaining in rural Colorado school districts.
Beyond providing measurable, objective professional growth as teachers, the NBCT Stipend program also allows CEA members to earn more money, which means they can continue living and working in rural communities. Ramsen, Graham, and Jeff White, a long time facilitator from the Aspen Education Association, all note the direct monetary benefit tied to National Board certification. In fact, Ramsen was the key advocate in helping push the district to provide a monetary incentive for NBCTs in Leadville. His leadership on that front is yet another example of how the NBCT Stipend program benefits the Union. Through the rural cohorts, CEA and local associations are growing new leaders who passionately care about rural Colorado.
Yes, Colorado is divided, but mountains that scrape the clear blue skies are not enough to prevent the CEA from working with other like-minded organizations to address the barriers that make it difficult for rural Colorado educators to find high quality professional learning opportunities. Jeff White from Aspen sums it up best: “National Board Certification is an opportunity to grow and self-reflect in a process created by teachers; it is not easy. I love to hike, ski, and reach new heights. Since I really have no interest in administration, National Board Certification was the mountain I wanted to climb professionally.” By climbing that mountain and helping others do the same, Jeff, along with other cohort facilitators, are helping union members who choose to live and work in rural communities make a difference for themselves, their students, and their communities.
Casey Kilpatrick is the Director of Learning Services at the Colorado Education Association and is a former high school English teacher.
Jun 20, 2021 | Blog
Jennifer Muñoz is a real life Wonder Woman. She is a secretary at the Title I office for Jeffco Public Schools, recently celebrating her 8th anniversary. She is a student pursuing a degree in social work. She is a single mom raising a daughter. She is 2nd Vice President of the Jefferson County Association of Education Office Professionals. And, she is a fierce advocate for students and public education.
Her round-the-clock work in all of these roles led to Muñoz receiving the 2021 CEA Education Support Professional (ESP) Award, as well as the Robert H. Johnson Jr. Memorial Scholarship. She hopes to be the voice of ESPs and empower others to stand up and be strong leaders. “The union isn’t 1 or 2 people, it’s everyone,” she said. “We stand stronger together and fight better together.”
A proud member of the Jeffco Education Support Professionals Association (JESPA), she has stood alongside her colleagues in Jefferson County — in full Wonder Woman costume — to share her message at a rally last fall about the importance of a safe reopening of schools amid the COVID pandemic.
“Since the day Jennifer got involved in the Union, she has been a shining example of the value of solidarity, guided by strong values for justice and fairness. It is because of leaders like Jennifer that our Union is strong. Jennifer, in her many roles, is truly leading the fight for the schools our students deserve,” said Amie Baca-Oehlert, CEA President.
Throughout the pandemic, Muñoz has attended legislative roundtables and other rallies to share her story and advocate for students, colleagues and public education.
Recognizing the need for reliable internet access for Jefferson County students during remote learning — a need that was not being met by her district — Muñoz connected with Coloradans for the Common Good and was an integral part of their efforts to free up stimulus money for broadband expansion and to push Comcast to open up remote learning centers in Jefferson County. Her efforts also led to a local tech firm donating 25 laptops to students in need.
“Time and time again, I have seen Jennifer take on directors to challenge them to do the right thing for students and has not let intimidation stop her from organizing to improve the school district,” said Brock Grosso, an organizer with Coloradans for the Common Good (CCG).
Muñoz was among those who spoke at the virtual bill signing with Gov. Jared Polis in December that granted $20 million to improve internet infrastructure for Colorado students and educators.
When Jeffco announced a large cut of food service sights for remote students just two weeks before Christmas, Muñoz again jumped to action. “When is it ever a good idea to take a meal away from a kid?” she said. JESPA rallied and the district responded by opening more sites for meal service and used bus drivers to deliver food.
Like many educators, one student had a tremendous impact on her early on in her career. This student’s dad’s girlfriend wouldn’t let her do laundry because she didn’t want the girl to use the detergent. She came to school with dirty clothes and “it just broke me.” She thought “Let’s just buy her some soap,” but was told that’s not allowed. “What do you mean we can’t do this? I thought we were here for kids.”
When she gets her degree in social work, she hopes to work with students at a Title I school, providing for their social and emotional needs.
“Jenn is an unapologetic advocate for students in Jeffco, but especially Title 1 students who need more support, not less from the public school system,” said JESPA President Lara Center.
It’s not always easy speaking up, but it’s something Muñoz knows is important.
“My voice shakes sometimes because yeah, I’m scared, but I know I’m doing the right thing.”
Jennifer Latham is a paraeducator and member of the Durango ESPA and the CEA Education Support Professional At-Large Director.
Jun 20, 2021 | Blog
The National Education Association will honor Sam Long, STEM teacher and member of St. Vrain Valley Education Association, with its highest and most prestigious award, the NEA Human and Civil Rights (HCR) Awards, during a virtual ceremony on Jun. 29. The theme of this year’s 2021 NEA HCR Awards ceremony is “Out of Struggle Comes Progress: Grounded in our History; Igniting our Future—and will include the first-ever award to recognize outstanding leadership in Native American communities.”
“In the middle of a global pandemic, an economic crisis, and racial and social upheaval, across race and space, native and newcomer, in schools and neighborhoods across America, there are unsung heroes who continually bend the arc of the moral universe more closely towards justice every day,” said NEA President Becky Pringle. “No matter what we look like or where we come from, they hold politicians accountable for their actions, call out efforts to divide us, and rewrite the rules so the wealthy and corporations pay their fair share.”
A STEM-wiz in Colorado’s St. Vrain Valley School District, Sam is an excellent educator, who has navigated the hardships of the past year: COVID-19, social upheaval, and increased reliance on technology. As a champion of the LGBTQ+ community, Long sponsors his school’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance Network and dedicates a class to introduce his own gender identity. He’s the co-founder of the Colorado Trans/Nonbinary Education Network, noted for passing the 2020 “Right to be Out Rule”— landmark legislation that mandates safe spaces free from harassment of individuals for being open about their sexual orientation or gender identity in public schools. Long earns the Virginia Uribe Memorial Award for Creative Leadership in Human Rights.
“Sam personifies what it means to be a brave and compassionate advocate for LGBTQ+ students,” said Amie Baca-Oehlert, high school counselor and president of the Colorado Education Association. “He leads and mentors with such empathy that it inspires others to be better versions of themselves. He is a true inspiration to his fellow educators and certainly to his students.”
Jun 20, 2021 | Blog
I do not think that there is a single educator who does not deeply feel that this past school year was the most challenging year ever. This year marks my twenty-fourth year in education, and I think, like all of you, nothing would have ever prepared me for what this last year brought to us all. Educating students in the midst of a global pandemic while dealing with political, social and racial unrest is not something you learn about in your educator preparation courses in college.
Yet every single educator across Colorado did more than meet the challenge. As we look back on this past school year, there are many emotions that come to mind: triumph, exhaustion, sadness, joy, fear; you name it, we all felt it. There are many lessons learned and there are many ways that public education will be forever changed by the lessons of this past year. As we move forward, there will be time for deep reflection and analysis. But for now, it is time to rest and rejuvenate.
This also marks my seventh year experiencing education as a parent. My oldest daughter just completed sixth grade while my youngest completed third, and my middle fourth. Among the many things that happened this year, I got to experience them all not only from the lens of an educator or the president of the largest union in the state, but also as a mom. As a mom, my deep respect and passion for public education and educators only grew. I had a front row parent seat to the peaks, the valleys, and everything in between, of remote learning, quarantining, mask wearing, etc. There were days where I was amazed to the point of tears by what my childrens’ educators were doing to make learning happen. And learning definitely happened. I think my third grader sums it up best in her end of year letter to her teacher:
“Dear Mrs. B,
Thank you for being the best teacher ever! You have persevered the whole year. I’ve learned so much from you this school year. Challenging or not you can do it. I have enjoyed your class and (am) sad to leave it. I am going to miss you so much.”
“Challenging or not, you can do it.” Those words hit me hard. Perseverance. Whether you are an eight-year-old third grader, a first year teacher, a twenty-year bus driver, or a teacher about to retire, we all defined perseverance this past school year. Together we overcame the most challenging school year we will ever face. We are all changed by this past year.
After we all have some much-deserved rest, disconnection and down time, it will be our moment to define the future. While I hope that we will never have to experience a year like this past one, we know that every year holds challenges and obstacles to overcome. This next school year we will come back to the unknowns of moving forward after the most traumatic year our students and we have experienced. We will have critical school board elections. We may have challenges that we can’t even begin to think of right now, but what we know, what we have learned from this year, is that challenge or not, we can do it. I wish you a restful and rejuvenating summer. I look forward to continuing the fight for students and public education with you, the true champions. Be well. Take care. Rest. Get ready.
Amie Baca-Oehlert is a high school counselor and president of the CEA.
