Commentary: DPS Attacks on Innovation Schools Hurt Students and Educators

I worked as a professional educator in Aurora, Cherry Creek and Denver for nearly thirty years, and I’ve never been more frustrated or disappointed by a school district’s leaders as I am now with Denver Public Schools.

During the last year, the Denver Board of Education and the superintendent have lost sight of what’s most important: the needs of our students. 

I started my career in education as a paraprofessional, and then taught first through third grade. I’ve worked as a literacy coach, a dean of students, an assistant principal, principal, and as an instructional superintendent working with middle and high schools. I retired in January from my role as principal at McAuliffe Manual Middle School, a public innovation school that is part of the Northeast Denver Innovation…