Blog posts are the opinions of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of A+ Colorado.
Educators, like many health and other essential workers are stepping up in remarkable ways to serve students and families. Jimmy Fallon said and sang it well on last night’s Tonight Show, Many Colorado educators spend far more time than they did a few months ago connecting with students remotely, on their porches or through phone…
Dire Education Finance Decisions coming in May and June As unemployment numbers grow in Colorado and across the nation, the forecasts for state and local tax revenue become increasingly dire. Current projected shortfalls are looking to be north of $3 billion (the state budget had been projected at about $13.4 billion with K-12 making up…
Funding Our Schools in the Wake of COVID-19 The novel coronavirus is wreaking havoc on more than the health in our communities. No matter how you look at it, the current economic reality and forecast are bleak. Seventeen million Americans have filed for unemployment (2.2 million in Colorado) in the past three weeks, undercounting the…
If ever there was a time to pay attention to how students are doing socially and emotionally in school, it would be now in what is likely to be the most disruptive societal change since World War II. Millions of people are already out of work, our health care systems are overwhelmed, we are likely…
Families and kids are now faced with a new reality of school at home, not just for the next few weeks but likely for the rest of the school year. As this is a time of uncertainty and stress for most families, it could be a time to rethink what and how students can be…
When my brother in law’s helicopter exploded on his paramedic test run in El Paso, he was only a year into his sweet marriage. We had a three year old, one very curious and sensitive to emotions; she’d picked up survival skills in her orphanage and was acutely attuned to hints of fear and sadness.…
The sky on this particular day was blue, clear and beautiful. The weather was the kind that invited you to be outdoors with your loved ones, friends or simply take your children out for a game. Considering such opportunities are rare as there were a series of snow, rain and stormy weathers which sandwiched that…
I’d like us all to think back to high school. Think about classes, teachers, and the friends we had. We were so stressed about getting into college and getting good grades. It was hard! I remember constantly feeling like there wasn’t enough time for school, friends, and family. I was struggling! Several kids are going…
As we celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., let us reflect on his commitment to civil rights and education. Dr. King was committed to education and advancing human rights around the world. Even though he is a historical leader in the United States of America, Dr. King is celebrated as a holiday…
Last month, I had the pleasure of moderating a discussion on the “Teaching of Empathy” at the Denver Biennial of the Americas. It was a powerful reminder that the heart of teaching begins with empathy. The Biennial is a magical gathering of artists and activist leaders from across the Americas that happens in Denver every…