DPS board member to lead human rights education
Denver Public Schools board President Carrie Olson is taking a job as curriculum director of the Educators’ Institute for Human Rights.
The institute focuses on education about the Holocaust and other genocides, with the goal of increasing tolerance.
Olson previously taught in DPS, though she had to give up that job when she joined the school board. She began learning and teaching about the Holocaust in 1994, wrote part of a teachers’ guide on discussing genocide and helped the Ministry of Education in El Salvador to craft its curriculum for teaching about atrocities.
Jeffco teacher honored
Travis Hill, who teaches art and social studies at Brady High School in Jeffco Public Schools, has been named special needs art educator of the year by the Colorado Art Education Association.
Hill designed an after-school arts program for Brady students and helped students to display their work in one of Denver’s First Friday art walks.
Teacher Cabinet members named
Colorado Education Commissioner Katy Anthes added 12 new members to her “Teacher Cabinet” this fall.
New members are:
- Michael Bautista, career and technical education, Boulder Technical Education Center, Boulder Valley School District
- Kenneth Benson, social studies, Niwot High School, St. Vrain Valley School District
- Kathleen Campbell, English, STRIVE Prep Kepner, Denver Public Schools
- Linda Donaldson, math, Skoglund Middle School, Center Consolidated School District 26JT
- Samantha DuVall, math, Union Colony Schools, Greeley-Evans School District 6
- Bonnie Grover, English, Avery Parsons Elementary School, Buena Vista School District
- Scott Hicks, social studies, East Grand Middle School, East Grand School District
- Emily Muellenberg, English, Highlands Ranch High School, Douglas Country School District
- Lacey Taschdjian, math, Adams City Middle School, Adam County School District 14
- Jamie Odum, third grade, Primero Elementary School, Primero School District
- Carina Raetz, English as a second language, Academy International Elementary School, Academy School District 20
- Julie Sale, science, math and social studies, Hope Learning Academy, Douglas County School District
The cabinet doesn’t have any official powers, but advises Anthes on teachers’ viewpoints.
STEM teachers can apply for award
Teachers who inspire students’ interest in science, technology, engineering and math can apply for the Alan Shepard Technology in Education award.
The Astronauts Memorial Foundation, NASA and the Space Foundation sponsor the award annually. Shepard was the first American to travel into space.
Applications are due Jan. 10.
