Candidates for Denver Board of Education Speak Out on Their Views of Education
would help prepare ALL students, not just students of color, to be successful in our increasingly diverse country and global economy.
Opportunity Gap/Equity The opportunity gaps and inequities that exist in our district are complex challenges that require the shifting of mindsets and the attainment of knowledge and skills. This work requires us to assess the current status and needs of our students, educators, and leaders; reflect on root causes and historical context; and integrate this information into action. Rachele will work to ensure that the District’s work on equity includes the allocation of resources, talent, and time.
Four seats on the Denver Public Schools Board of Education are up for election on Tuesday, Nov. 7 for a 4-Year term: At Large, District 2, District 3, and District 4. Candidates must be registered voters and reside in the school board district for which they are running except for the At Large director who represents the entire city of Denver. Our Far Northeast neighborhoods are in DPS District 4. There are 3 candidates currently running to represent the Far Northeast: Dr. Rachele Espiritu, (incumbent) and challengers Auontai Anderson and Jennifer Bacon, Esq. Below are excerpts from their websites. Our schools are one of the strengths of our community. Please reach out to each candidate and VOTE!
Teacher Recruitment and Training It is critical to attract and retain teacher talent to support the success of our students. Denver has struggled historically to ensure that our teachers are representative of our communities, and Rachele agrees with the recommendations made in the Bailey report that DPS teachers must be trustworthy, competent, diverse, culturally-sensitive and hold high expectations for all children. To be effective in diverse classrooms and schools, teachers must be able to engage students of diverse backgrounds, understand different norms of behavior and communication, relate the teaching and content, and address the implicit biases that they have. This means a shift in mindset and beliefs, and obtaining new skills and practice. Student Discipline Rachele was proud to support the passing of a resolution in March that stated DPS’ intent to end suspensions and expulsions for students in Early Childhood Education (ECE) through third grades in favor of more thoughtful disciplinary practices.
Far Northeast Sports Rachele understands the importance of great sports programs that create a sense of pride in the school and community. That’s why Rachele supported dedicating funds from the 2016 Bond and Mill to build more seats, locker rooms, and stadium lights at the football field on the Evie Dennis Campus.Y Editor’s note: For more information go to https://www.rachelefordenver.com/
Rachele Espiritu
Auontai Anderson
Rachele is a parent of two DPS students in District 4 schools who understands the incredible responsibility of serving on the DPS Board of Education. She is the first immigrant to serve on the board and is a deeply engaged member of our community. Rachele received her B.A. in psychology from the University of California at San Diego and her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Colorado at Boulder where she was a Patricia Robert Harris Fellow. She has also spent time as a faculty member at Georgetown University, where she co-authored a monograph on a public health approach to children’s mental health. She is a tremendous advocate for school discipline reform and for Denver’s youngest learners.
“I come from a family that has been actively involved with our public education system for as long as I can remember. I want to be a part of our great Denver School Board to work for and represent our underrepresented students. Together, we need to create more opportunities for students to step into their greatness, and to put our students first — especially our students of color, which is a top priority for me. We need to show our teachers and administrators that we appreciate their hard work, not only through words but through actions of support. I believe that my youth gives me the benefit of both a fresh vision and the firsthand perspective of the strengths and weaknesses of our school system.”
Quality Education for ALL Children Every kid deserves a world class education regardless of school model. Kids and parents should have real choices where they send their kids to ensure their individual needs are met. Rachele believes DPS and the community need to implement the clearly articulated metrics DPS has put into policy that create equal levels of accountability for charters and district run schools, a plan for improvement, and a clear path forward. All schools, charters and district run, should be held to high standards and judged by whether they are providing students with a high-quality education.
Culturally Competent Education Rachele supports curriculum that reflects the identities of all students in the district and is interested in exploring a policy that would create an ethnic studies program for DPS high schools. For too long, our courses have focused on the achievements of the predominant culture, leaving out the accomplishments and perspectives of different racial and ethnic groups. The opportunity to learn about one’s own or another culture’s history helps students understand the importance of different cultures and the intersection with power in shaping our past, present and future. Ethnic studies courses
Safeguarding our Neighborhood Schools The gap in funding education has caught the attention of private corporations and nonprofit organizations alike. Charter schools present real challenges in equity of education for our students. Charter schools are not held to the same standards as other public schools and have the option of establishing their own admission criteria. They are not accountable in teacher hir-
MUSE - Montbello Urban Spectrum Edition - September/October 2017
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