About Lisa
I grew up experiencing poverty and was placed with host families. By the time I entered first grade, I had lived in 12 homes. It was my teachers and school counselors who created a consistent, positive environment for me and broke down barriers. Public education allowed me to be where I am today. I have a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Northern Michigan University, a Master's and an Education Specialist Degree in School Psychology from Ball State University in Indiana - all on full scholarship and a doctorate in Quantitative Research Methods from the University of Denver. And this is why I have dedicated my career to paying it forward and to working in education.
I began my educational career as a school psychologist, working with children aged 3 to 21 and their families. Later, I taught teachers on the college level and moved my way through district and executive positions in education. During this time I worked
in Aurora Public Schools and made changes that eventually moved the IB programs to an accept all model; I was an expert witness in the Lavato V Colorado case to testify on the inequities of education for our EL students; I worked with lawmakers to change the READ ACT so it better serves our students and educators, and I worked to pass amendments 23, 73, and initiative 271 to help further funding for education in Colorado. I have been on the ground fighting for change my whole career.
During my time on the State Board of Education, I co-led the adoption of our progressive and inclusive social studies and climate standards that ncluded working with students, parents, curriculum specialists and legislators. I supported alternative pathways for educators to become licensed as a way to increase the retention and diversity of our teaching force. I have spent enormous energy fighting against the privitization of public education resulting in the defeat of Amendment 80 and the closing of loopholes in state board rules. It is this experience that has prepared me for the conversations I am having with voters today. I hear concerns about our ongoing budget crisis, the safety of our students, supporting our educators and the community is worried about how we have corporatized our education.
These are huge problems that will take multi-pronged solutions. I have spent 40 years building coalitions throughout the education community. My experience in the K-12 classroom gives me a deeper understanding of what we are already demanding from our educators, our students, their families, and our principals. My work on the executive level, representing schools from across the state, has allowed me to work with lawmakers, educators, and community members to get progressive policy passed. To make change happen in education, it takes a series of levers being pulled with the local boards, the state legislature, and the state board. I have the knowledge of where the levers are and have been building trust so we can work together to deliver on the promise of public education.
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