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.”
May 3, 2021 | Press
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 3, 2021
Colorado Education Association (CEA) Celebrates National Teacher Appreciation Week
CEA will celebrate the contributions of teachers May 2 – 8
DENVER – This week, the Colorado Education Association celebrates National Teacher Appreciation Week on May 2-8, including National Teacher Appreciation Day on May 4. This Teacher Appreciation Week is especially important due to the difficulties of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic since Mar. 2020.
“What our educators have done this year has been nothing short of remarkable,” said Amie Baca-Oehlert, high school counselor and president of the Colorado Education Association.“They are used to the challenges of a typical school year but when faced with challenges that were far from typical this year, they worked with families and found creative ways to adapt, innovate and persevere to ensure our students continue to learn, grow and thrive.”
“I am honored and humbled for the privilege of being able to represent educators across the state. We strive everyday to ensure our members have the tools and resources necessary to bring an exceptional learning experience to every student in Colorado. We will keep working to ensure every educator can return safely to in-person learning, using our collective voice to make sure their voice is heard, and pushing for the training and tools needed to support our students, no matter the zip code they live in.”
Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt successfully advocated the 81st United States Congress to proclaim the first National Teacher Appreciation Day in 1953 and since the 1980s, the National Education and the National Parent Teacher Association helped make it a week-long celebration.
To learn more about all NEA is doing to help celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, visit nea.org/thankateacher.
About the Colorado Education Association
The Colorado Education Association is the voice of 39,000 educators, working together in a strong union to ensure all students get the exceptional public schools they deserve, in every neighborhood across the state. As Colorado’s largest labor union, CEA works collectively with all education stakeholders to ensure Colorado’s standing as an excellent state in which to learn, live, work, and raise a family.
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Oct 29, 2020 | Press
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 29, 2020
Denver social studies teacher, Gerardo Muñoz, named 2021 Colorado Teacher of the Year
Leading Education Advocates Urge Colorado Voters to Reject 117
DENVER – Gerardo Muñoz, a social studies teacher at Denver Center for International Studies at Baker, was named the 2021 Colorado Teacher of the Year today in a surprise announcement by Dr. Katy Anthes, Colorado’s Commissioner of Education, in true COVID-19 era fashion: on a Zoom celebration.
“Gerardo Muñoz is highly respected by his colleagues and students,” said Anthes.“He is an active voice in his community and encourages those around him to speak up on important issues. Colorado is lucky to have him as one of our dedicated educators, especially during this challenging time.”
The Colorado Education Association (CEA) is a longtime sponsor of the Colorado Teacher of the Year Award, and will provide Muñoz with a stipend to travel in his new role and to engage in networking opportunities with past Colorado Teachers of the Year. CEA President Amie Baca-Oehlert attended the online ceremony to congratulate Muñoz, who is a member of the Denver Classroom Teachers’ Association.
“Gerardo truly represents what it means to be the best of the best,” said Baca-Oehlert, a high school counselor. “Gerardo gives 100% of himself to his students, community, and his family. He is an example of a teacher who brings passion to his teaching, bringing content to life and connecting and building genuine relationships with his students. Gerardo exemplifies the definition of teacher and Colorado is well represented with him as its 2021 Teacher of the Year.”
Muñoz began teaching social studies in 2000 and has been with his current school since 2007. A tireless champion of anti-oppression awareness and training, he is the recipient of many awards including the Grogan Family and Jared Polis Foundation Teacher Recognition Award in 2006, the University of Denver Summit Award in 2009, and the Denver Public Schools Mile High Teacher Award in 2012. Muñoz holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Colorado Boulder, as well as a Master of Arts degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Denver.
Muñoz will compete for the National Teacher of the Year Award and will be honored with other state Teachers of the Year at a White House ceremony. CEA would like to congratulate the other six finalists for 2021 Colorado Teacher of the Year award for their hard work and commitment: Anna Conrad (Harrison High School, Harrison District 2 and Harrison Association for Education Employees member), Lisa Crabtree (Fruita Monument High School, Mesa County Valley 51 and Mesa Valley Education Association member), Holly Haverkorn (Mitchell High School, Colorado Springs School District 11 and Colorado Springs Education Association member), Joe Hites (Vista Ridge High School, School District 49), Tricia Kearns (Webber Middle School, Poudre School District and Poudre Education Association member), Rachel Lamb (Inspire Elementary School, Denver Public Schools and Denver Classroom Teachers Association member).
About the Colorado Education Association
The Colorado Education Association is a membership-based organization that represents 39,000 Colorado educators. The CEA promise to our students and communities is that the members of the Association will lead the way in guaranteeing every student access to the best public education. By working collectively with all education stakeholders, we will provide the best public education for every student and assure Colorado’s standing as an excellent state in which to learn, live, work, and raise a family.
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