Note: this release has been updated on 10/13/25 to reflect the withdrawal of JCEA’s recommendation of Michael Yocum.
For Immediate Release
Jefferson County, CO – Educator members of the Jefferson County Education Association (JCEA) are proud to recommend Peter Gibbins (Director District 2) and Tina Moeinian (Director District 5), in their campaigns for school board directors for Jeffco Public Schools. JCEA’s recommendations were made by a multi-partisan committee of educator union members, following candidate completion of a questionnaire and interview with the committee.
“As an elementary school educator and JCEA leader, it’s important we recommend school board candidates that will work with us to ensure every Jeffco student has access to a high-quality public education,” said Whitney Newman, Third Grade Teacher at Elk Creek Elementary School and Chair of JCEA’s Political Action Team. “The past few years have been hard on our community – from concerns about federal funding, to a lack of transparency and collaboration with educators and community stakeholders – so it’s important to have school board members who will listen to educators and community members in order to make sure our schools are welcoming to everyone. We need to make certain that members of our school board will ensure our students have stable, fully-staffed neighborhood schools where every student and family can feel safe and ready to learn.”
Tina Moeinian has worked as an Equal Employment Opportunity specialist and a mediator. Her professional career has focused on supporting both workplace and community conflict resolution and problem-solving. Tina is running for Director of District 5 because she wants to ensure Jeffco Public Schools provide a fair and safe learning environment to all students regardless of race, gender, religious beliefs, ability, and socio-economic status. Growing up in Florida she has seen firsthand what happens when public schools become subject to the whims of political agendas, something she doesn’t want to happen in Jefferson County. As a first-generation American she knows that access to high quality, equitable public education can make all the difference in a child’s life. She is committed to fighting for fully funding our schools and ensuring that vital services and programs are provided to all students. Incumbent School Board member and current District 5 Director, Mary Parker, declined to participate in the JCEA interview and endorsement process.
Peter Gibbins is the proud parent of a Jefferson County Public Schools student and currently works as an attorney. Through his career, including time as labor organizer, he understands that collaboration with workers is vital to well-run organizations. His diverse career has provided him with a range of skills and experience with organizing, negotiations, conflict resolution, and more. As Director of District 2 he hopes to bring his experience of valuing educator voices to begin to rebuild trusting relationships between educators and the administrative leadership of Jefferson County Public Schools. He understands the importance of educators and parents working together to provide the best possible learning environment for all students. He is excited to bring his experience with both law and policy to the Jefferson County School Board to help ensure transparency and accountability in our district from how Jeffco spends its limited resources to fighting for real collaboration in decision making.
Together, Moeinian and Gibbins bring a diverse wealth of experience and knowledge to Jeffco Public Schools. From legal expertise, mediation and problem solving, to running a small business, they make a well-rounded slate for the open school board positions.
“We are excited to have two accomplished and caring community members step up to run for Jefferson County Board of Education,” said Brooke Williams, Art Educator and JCEA President. “I know that Tina Moeinian and Peter Gibbins will do what it takes to give our students, educators, and community members the best public school experience possible. We know that the leadership of our school district needs to rebuild trust among staff and community members, and we believe these candidates will bring back to Jefferson County Schools the norm of working with educators and education support professionals. Together we will work to ensure Jeffco can be a district that offers our students a variety of learning opportunities, and ensures employees have a welcoming culture, competitive wages, and a balanced workload.”
The election of school board directors will take place November 4, 2025.
###
The Jefferson County Education Association is the union for over 5,000 educators in Jeffco Schools, working together to ensure all students in Jeffco have safe, equitable, and thriving public schools. JCEA works collectively with our entire community to advocate for fully funded schools to ensure education is a profession that allows educators to work and live in the communities they serve. Follow JCEA on Facebook, and Instagram.