May 22, 2015
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Teacher survey nets mixed responses Evaluations spur concern; individual schools are seen as supportive, safe By Jane Reuter
jreuter@colorado communitymedia.com
and CEO of Warrior Voices. Schulz and Chad Ritter, a U.S. Marine from Centennial who was medically retired, were two of the veterans who recently attended an open casting call at Southglenn Public Library. They were surprised by Warrior Voices’ willingness to show them the ropes and intrigued by the possibilities the industry has to offer. “When someone comes and attends classes, we’re opening that world to them,” said Reese, a Parker resident. With frequent medical appointments at the VA hospital, it was difficult for Ritter to hold down a regular job. He wasn’t sure where his skill set would fit in, and he’s not yet comfortable in unfamiliar settings. Warrior Voices brings together veterans that can bond over shared experiences. “In the Marine Corps, I fit in and I mattered, and when I got out, I kind of stumbled around from job to job, trying to find something that had that brotherhood again,” Ritter said. “This gives people a purpose, and it builds camaraderie just sitting
Results of a recently released state survey show Douglas County’s teachers feel safe and supported by their individual school communities, but have concerns about the district’s evaluation system. Concerns about evaluations are reflected by teachers statewide, but in higher numbers in the Douglas County School District. The Teaching, Empowering, Leading & Learning, or TELL, survey is given every two years by the New Teacher Center. The state Legislature uses it as a way to evaluate teachers’ working conditions. About 87 percent of DCSD teachers agreed their school is a good place to work and learn, slightly higher than the state average of 85 percent. Questions about teacher evaluations showed about 70 percent of Douglas County teachers who responded don’t think the process accurately identifies their effectiveness, significantly higher than the state average. The greatest difference between district and state teachers’ responses emerged in questions posed only to school principals. Almost half of Douglas County’s principals don’t feel the district has an “effective decision-making and problem-solving process,” and 57 percent disagree that the district has “an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect.” In both cases, that’s almost twice the average of principals statewide. School Board President Kevin Larsen said he’s encouraged overall by the results, and won’t ignore potential trouble spots. “It’s not all roses in every single category,
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Norm Silver, coach and curriculum development specialist for Warrior Voices, demonstrates the proper distance from the mic while recording voice-overs as veteran Chad Ritter, left, and Warrior Voices Founder/CEO Rob Reese look on. Photos by Chris Michlewicz
From deployment to employment Nonprofit helps veterans transition into work world By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz@coloradoc ommunitymedia.com Micah Schulz knows first-hand the difficulty of readjusting to civilian life after a tour of duty. The U.S. Army veteran from Lone Tree finished his degree when he returned from Iraq, but soon found himself wasting away his days, he said, in an unfulfilling telecomm sales position. Since then, he’s bounced around, serving as a food distributor for coffeehouses while trying to get his start-up going. “There was nothing comparable to the military experience, where you feel like you’re doing something for the better-good of your country and your people,” Schulz said. “Trying to find that in the civilian world was a struggle for sure. That’s what I’ve been kind of seeking ever since I’ve been out.”
WHAT IS A VOICE-OVER? Pre-recorded audio of an unseen narrator; often used in cartoon series, commercials, instructional videos, audio books, corporate training videos, movie trailers and films (especially documentaries). Schulz’s story illustrates a common issue for the nation’s returning veterans: finding their way in the professional world after years of combat training. It’s not only the missing element of camaraderie that came with his time in the Army, but a lack of applicable real-world skills. That’s part of the reason why a team of seasoned voice-over actors decided to create Warrior Voices, a nonprofit that instructs and equips veterans with the tools necessary to succeed in the voiceover industry. It also connects them with job opportunities. “People are looking for a way to give back to veterans,” said Rob Reese, founder
Mountain bike skills park opens south of Parker
Manmade features, berms provide practice for the real thing By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz@colorado communitymedia.com Finding a playground outfitted with ramps, teeter-totters and “whale tails” for kids and adults just got easier. Douglas County unveiled the latest addition to its park offerings in late April with a mountain bike skills course at Bayou Gulch Regional Park south of Parker. Ten acres of newly carved trails covering all ability levels have excited novice and expert riders alike.
Brushing up
Because mountain biking is an activity that engages mind and body, and requires skill and guts, county park officials figured it would be beneficial for inexperienced riders to have a little practice before throwing themselves at the mercy of a challeng-
BAYOU GULCH REGIONAL PARK The 205-acre park, located on the southern edge of the Pinery subdivision, was created in 2004 and offers a number of recreational opportunities, including an off-leash dog area, picnic shelters and approximately 2 1/2 miles of biking, hiking and equestrian trails that connect to the Bayou Gulch Open Space, the Colorado Horse Park and the Cherry Creek Regional Trail. The park also hosts traditional programmed sports such as baseball, football, soccer, lacrosse and rugby.
ing, obstacle-filled mountain trail. The builder, Alpine Bike Parks LLC, installed 25 engineered structures and forged natural mounds and berms on topography that is already well-suited for off-road riding. “You can practice close to home and get comfortable, then go on a weekend trip into Bike park continues on Page 9
Like Colorado ski slopes, the new bike skills park in Bayou Gulch Regional Park has green, blue and black trail markers to denote the level of difficulty. Courtesy photo