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Commentary

Coach Finesilver with three students.

Boardhawk Podcast: Revered 45-year teaching vet Coach Steve Finesilver decries looming contract extension for Superintendent Marrero

Coach Steve Finesliver: “ It does not serve the best interests of our children or our families to extend the superintendent’s contract. And I’ll go one step further and say the same for continuing his leadership (of DPS).”

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A graphic showing a woman looking angrily at a group of laughing men.

Boardhawk Podcast episode 8: Why Robin Pulliam, a highly respected senior DPS staffer, left the district (Hint: a toxic, sexist culture played a big role)

As the Denver school board seems poised to prematurely extend Superintendent Alex Marrero’s contract, Robin Pulliam has decided, after years of silence, that the time is right to tell her story — on this podcast. She paints a troubling picture of a senior leadership team that operates like a boy’s club, where sexist comments are laughed off and women’s input is brushed aside.

Boardhawk Podcast episode 8: Why Robin Pulliam, a highly respected senior DPS staffer, left the district (Hint: a toxic, sexist culture played a big role) Read More »

SHIFT Chronicles: What we learned during Advocacy Day at the State Capitol

While we had always been taught to be present in meetings, listen to the speaker, and demonstrate with our body language that we were actively listening, these adults — elected officials — did not reflect this learning . Not only were the silent people in the room loud with unrest, the speakers were loud with disorder. Seemingly unprepared, they stuttered, lost documents and more. While students are drilled to be prepared for public speaking, these adults weren’t. 

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Tricia Noyola's headshot.

Re-committing to fostering joy in Colorado classrooms

So many across education are simultaneously watching in shock, while also asking, “How do we move forward from here when critical systems and programs are being rolled back?” The answer lies in remaining laser-focused on an elegant, age-old objective in our schools: joy. As we face historic challenges, joy in our classrooms – for our teachers and students – matters more than ever.

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Boardhawk Podcast episode 7: A spicy conversation with Nicholas Hernández about Marrero contract extension

You won’t want to miss this pointed conversation, with its references to Superintendent Alex Marrero’s “Trumpian authoritarianism,” and its strong critiques of the school board members who have the temerity to think a premature contract extension is a good idea.

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A photo of DPS Superintendent Alex Marrero speaking in front of South High School.

Is the DPS board majority about to ram through a contract extension for Supt. Alex Marrero?

Marrero is a polarizing figure, beloved by some and disliked by others. Extending his contract before an election that could shift the board’s position on his tenure would be a brazen move to tie a new board’s hands, making it difficult/expensive to remove him

Is the DPS board majority about to ram through a contract extension for Supt. Alex Marrero? Read More »

Boardhawk Podcast episode 6: Why has the DPS board curtailed access to public comment?

In this episode, Alan Gottlieb and Alexis Menocal Harrigan debate the recent decision by the Denver school board to place stringent limits on monthly public comment sessions. Until public comment has been the most direct and effect means by which members of the public could address the school board. Until the fall of 2023, public comments had no time limits, other than a three-minute limit on individual speakers. Now, not only are speakers limited to two minutes, but other limits have been placed on topics that can be addressed and the amount of time devoted to each topic.

Boardhawk Podcast episode 6: Why has the DPS board curtailed access to public comment? Read More »