To the Members of the Jefferson County School Board, It is 11:46 PM and I am just getting home from my part time job. And sure, it’s summer – except this is the normal time I get home multiple nights a week, year round. I urge you to reconsider the budget you have set, because I am exhausted. I’m exhausted …
I’m Leaving Jeffco to Earn a Living Wage
Lakewood’s 2019 graduation was especially poignant for me. Not only did my first class of freshmen at Lakewood graduate, but I graduated from Jeffco at the same time. During my 8 years in the district, my life evolved and changed, while my paycheck unfortunately did not. I got married, became a mother, and then a single mother. I held my …
Do We Value Public Education?
Dear Board of Education Members, I am a veteran teacher of 31 years. I began teaching with the noble intention that I would be able to make a difference in the lives of children, and every day I go to school and work with my students I feel I am making this difference. When I gained employment in Jefferson County …
Addressing the Jeffco Problem
To the Members of the Jefferson County School Board, My name is Christine Kuster, and I have been a teacher at Arvada West High School for the last three years. Prior to my tenure there, I was a Fulbright Scholar who taught English as a foreign language in Germany and received my master’s degree in education from the University of …
As I Watch Another Highly-Qualified Educator Leave Jeffco
Dear Board of Education, Thank you for your dedication to the Jeffco community. I know your responsibilities are great in managing such a large district with restricted state funds; however, I implore you to consider what we may do now in order to make our district better. I am a parent and educator here in Jeffco (15 years). I’m an …
50th Anniversary of the JCEA Contract: Part 2
Over the past 50 years JCEA has had 17 presidents and of those past presidents three became CEA Presidents, Wallace (Wally) Sherertz, Jerry Garland and Kerrie Dallman. JCEA’s rich history includes Judy English, the first female president, who held the position from 1982-1986, and Shermita West, the first African-American (female) who was president from 1990-1994. In 1983, under Judy English, …
A Letter to Senate Education: SB 19-247
Below is a letter from JCEA President John Ford to four of the five members of the Colorado Senate Education Committee, Senators Todd, Hill, Lundeen, and Bridges, Last week, over 20 educators, parents, and administrators spoke in favor of Senate Bill 19-247, urging you to shift the emphasis from student test scores in educator evaluations, and form a working group …
From the President: Columbine 20 Years Later
To our Jeffco community, 20 years ago the unthinkable happened. Our community, schools, and families were changed forever, and many lives were effected by the tragic loss of 13 lives. As the President of the Jefferson County Education Association, I want to say how grateful am for the leadership of our Columbine educators over the last 20 years. Special thanks …
From the Jeffco School Board: Support for School Funding
Jeffco Generations is an appropriate name for Jeffco Public School’s vision. In the course of my life, I have been a Jeffco student, teacher, principal, and now proud school board member. This November, a YES on 5A & 5B helps secure quality education today and for generations to come. We are seeking support to competitively pay educators, increase mental health …
The Education Funding Debate and Amendment 73
The following is a letter to the editor written by Green Mountain High School Spanish teacher Bryan Keiser. To see the original piece in the Denver post, click here. I’ve been a public school teacher in Colorado for 29 years. Literally every single summer I have also had another job simply in order to pay my bills and raise my …
A Statement About School Shootings
Here we are again. Another school shooting; the eighteenth of this young year. Fifteen children and two fellow educators left home on February 14th never to return. My heart is broken. As first responders on the front lines of this crisis, we must Stand Up For ALL Students and push for a meaningful conversation and solutions. We must not allow this to become …