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Podcast

Caron Blanke's headshot.

Boardhawk podcast episode 17: Featuring Caron Blanke, central Denver (District 3) school board candidate

Caron Blanke is a Denver Public Schools parent, and the former director of the JCC (Jewish Community Center) Early Learning School, one of Denver’s top preschools. She is running for the District 3 school board seat, which encompasses a large swath of central Denver. In this podcast episode, Blanke discusses what she sees as a need for governance adjustments within the DPS board and administration, and her desire to be a change agent after several years of stagnant student achievement in the district.

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Mariana del Hierro's headshot.

Boardhawk podcast episode 16: Featuring Mariana del Hierro, southwest Denver (District 2) school board candidate

In this podcast episode, Denver school board candidate Mariana del Hierro discusses with hosts Alexis Menocal Harrigan and Alan Gottlieb how her role as a parent of a Latino DPS student drives her passion to serve on the school board; her views on the state of the district’s academic performance; and her plans to be accessible to the community should she be elected.

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Timiya Jackson's headshot.

Boardhawk Podcast episode 15: Featuring Timiya Jackson, Denver school board candidate District 4 (Northeast Denver)

In this podcast episode, Denver school board candidate Timiya Jackson (District 4 — northeast Denver) discusses with hosts Alexis Menocal Harrigan and Alan Gottlieb the need for greater transparency in Denver Public Schools, the distressing state of learning among the district’s neediest students, and why she views herself as uniquely positioned to serve the residents of District 4.

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DJ Torres's headshot.

Boardhawk Podcast episode 14: Featuring Dr. DJ Torres, Denver school board candidate

In this podcast episode, central Denver (District 3) school board candidate Dr. DJ Torres discusses with hosts Alexis Menocal Harrigan and Alan Gottlieb his views on policy governance, school safety, the state of student learning, and why he does not plan to take money from “education reformers.”

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Alex Magaña's headshot.

Boardhawk Podcast episode 13: Veteran educator, DPS board candidate Alex Magaña lays out his vision for the district

Denver school board at-large candidate Alex Magaña is a veteran DPS educator. He is neither an “education reformer” nor a “defender of the status quo.” His many years of experience in schools give him a more nuanced view of the current state of pubic education, as his words on this podcast make clear.

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Van Schoales's headshot.

Boardhawk Podcast episode 12: Van Schoales on the current state of DPS

Van Schoales has been active in Colorado and Denver public education for 30 years, as a teacher, charter school founder and leader, advocacy organization executive, and as an influential voice locally and nationally in education change efforts. Because he has historical perspective on Denver Public Schools, we invited Schoales on the podcast to discuss, among other topics, DPS Supt. Alex Marrero’s new “School Transformation Process,” unveiled earlier this month during a board meeting, as well as other current DPS issues.

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John Youngquist's headshot.

Boardhawk Podcast episode 10: Denver school board member John Youngquist addresses allegations leveled against him by Supt. Alex Marrero

An angry letter written by Denver Public Schools Superintendent Alex Marrero to board President Carrie Olson April 22 accuses board member Joun Youngquist, a veteran educator,  of seven serious violations of district protocols and procedures. The jarring letter, which seems motivated more by personal animus than facts, has caused a big stir in Denver education circles.
Youngquist spoke Tuesday with Boardhawk Editor Alan Gottlieb and columnist Alexis Menocal Harrigan about the allegations, his reaction to them, and how he and DPS carry on from here.

Boardhawk Podcast episode 10: Denver school board member John Youngquist addresses allegations leveled against him by Supt. Alex Marrero Read More »

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).”

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