Policies
When I first ran in 2020, our conversations centered on the deep-rooted inequities that the COVID-19 pandemic laid bare. Since then, we've made progress—but the fight is far from over. Today, we face steep budget cuts at both the federal and state levels, threatening an already underfunded education system.
Despite Colorado’s high cost of living, we remain below the national average in per-pupil spending. These funding shortfalls affect every aspect of our schools—from staff compensation and program quality to accessibility and compliance with federal mandates for English language learners, Individualized Education Plans, Special Education, and Exceptional Education.
After decades of tax cuts and the constraints of TABOR, it's clear: Colorado must pass a ballot initiative that ensures adequate and equitable funding for public education, while reducing our dependence on federal dollars. That’s why I’ve partnered with education advocates in the past to push for these initiatives—and why I’ll continue using my platform to fight for the resources our students and educators deserve.
Across the country, we’re facing a critical shortage of educators and mental health professionals. This crisis stems from a harmful trend: treating our public education system like a for-profit enterprise rather than the essential institution it is. In response, some lawmakers are proposing to lower certification standards—a move that threatens the quality of education and undermines the professionalism of our workforce.
Meanwhile, our state continues to pass unfunded mandates, adding strain to already overstretched staff. This must end.
I will be a steadfast advocate for every worker in our education system. I will not support lowering certification standards for educators or school staff. Any alternative pathways to licensure must meet the same rigorous expectations and uphold the expertise our students deserve.
We’ve lost too many veteran educators to burnout, along with the institutional knowledge they carried. I’m committed to reversing that trend—not only by fighting for fair, livable wages, but by ensuring staff have the support, resources, and materials they need to thrive.
As a former union member during my time in K–12 education, I stand firmly behind the right of all school staff to unionize, regardless of where they work. Every worker deserves the ability to organize for fair pay, safe conditions, and a voice in shaping the future of education.
Too many decisions about our education system are being made behind closed doors. This lack of transparency has deepened the divide between educational leaders and policymakers. With over 30 years of experience in K–12 education, I’m committed to bridging that gap.
Six years ago, we pushed for a more accessible and meaningful dashboard to help families understand how Colorado’s schools are performing. Today, the Colorado Department of Education offers a data dashboard that includes multiple indicators beyond student achievement for every school and district. We’re continuing to build on that foundation—developing systems that connect K–12 data to post-graduate outcomes.
In collaboration with external partners in Denver, we’re seeing innovative tools that go beyond district-level data to empower families in making informed decisions. Throughout my time in office, I’ve prioritized honest, consistent engagement with the community. I’ve never shied away from difficult conversations, and that transparency has earned trust across District 1 and beyond.
As challenges grow, so will my commitment to showing up, listening, and leading with integrity.
When struggling to find the education supports needed, many students and families can feel isolated. That is why it is so essential to build support for our students and their families. Our families have been burdened with understaffed and under-resourced schools, particularly for students who need IEP supports, exceptional curriculum, mental health supports, and schools that serve families that are living in the margins.
This is why my dedication to shift from punitive systems to supporting struggling schools with resources, coaching, and flexibility is so key to my work on the State Board of Education. We need to build capacity within our education system to serve our students, and not blame them. Some of this work will depend on gathering qualitative data from students, families, and educators about their experiences.
And recognize that relationships, belonging, and well-being are essential indicators of a high-quality school.
We have a long-standing practice of tying standardized testing to the quality of education that a school can provide. However, research has shown that test scores are often more reflective of one's income and demographics than actual school effectiveness. Unfortunately, these test scores are frequently used to determine the amount of funds, support, and overall success of a school.
This is why I have been fighting for a more comprehensive dashboard that goes beyond the test scores. We need to look at academic growth over time, school climate and culture, student engagement, graduation and postsecondary readiness, social-emotional learning metrics, and access to advanced work, arts, and extracurriculars. We need to move away from standardized testing and into proven measurement methods such as performance-based assessments. These require students to apply knowledge in real-world or interdisciplinary contexts.
When we use growth models that focus on student growth over proficiency, we see significant progress with students’ overall performance. This is one of the many reasons I believe we need contextual accountability that uses data as a growth point, not to rank students and pin them into academic stereotypes.
Without equity, education can replicate and entrench inequality.
Equity in education centers on the belief that every student deserves not just equal opportunity, but the support and resources necessary to thrive—regardless of their background, identity, or circumstances. This approach acknowledges historical and systemic inequities that have disproportionately affected students from marginalized communities and sees addressing those disparities as a moral and democratic imperative. Below are five key solutions to
Equity is not the same as equality.
Treating all students the same does not result in fair outcomes. Instead, equity requires tailoring resources, supports, and opportunities based on student needs so that everyone can reach high levels of achievement.Centering historically marginalized voices.
Amplify the experiences of students of color, students with disabilities, LGBTQ+ students, English learners, and those from low-income backgrounds. Advocate for inclusive standards, culturally relevant teaching, and leadership that reflects the diversity of the school community.Challenging systemic barriers.
Actively dismantle structures—such as tracking, underfunding of schools in low-income communities, biased discipline policies, and inadequate access to advanced coursework—that perpetuate injustice.Investing in whole-child supports.
Support schools as community hubs, offering wraparound services such as mental health care, nutrition programs, and after-school enrichment—recognizing that students’ learning is shaped by their social and emotional environments.Data with purpose and accountability with compassion.
Use disaggregated data to identify gaps and hold ourselves accountable, not to shame or blame, but to drive action and improvement where it’s most needed.