Teacher Appreciation, in May and Beyond

Spring | Issue 35 | Date: May 18, 2023

Funding Great Schools. Rooted in Community.

Teacher Appreciation Week is generally celebrated during the first full week in May. The national week of recognition ended May 12—but our gratitude for Denver’s teachers extends beyond a single week in spring.

Through RootED Denver’s multi-year funding of autonomous schools and community-based organizations, we have provided support to programs that inspire and uplift educators.

Last year, for example, we invested in programs that provide valuable professional learning to educators, and that develop pipelines of diverse educators who co-create learning environments with families and communities.

As we continue to empower educators, learn more about some of the teachers who have shaped our team members’ lives:

See Our Teacher Appreciation Celebrations

KIPP Colorado Teacher Wins $10,000 for Excellence in Teaching

Congratulations to Abbey Torrence, a ninth grade math teacher at KIPP Northeast Denver Leadership Academy !

On May 8, Torrence was awarded the KIPP charter network’s Harriett Ball Excellence in Teaching Award, and Denver7 was on hand to catch the surprise ceremony.

Torrence’s school flew her parents to Denver for the celebration, where Torrence was given a $10,000 check and cheered on by her students and colleagues.

The Harriett Ball Excellence in Teaching Award is given annually to a select group of teachers at KIPP schools throughout the country. Ball was a visionary educator and mentor whose work inspired the creation of KIPP charter schools.

KIPP teachers are selected for the award based on their track record of improving student achievement; their leadership in the classroom and throughout their school; and their commitment to equipping underserved students with the skills needed to be successful in their postsecondary journeys.

“[Abbey] is the embodiment of Harriet Ball," said Julia Rich, the principal at KIPP Northeast Denver Leadership Academy. "Bringing head and heart to the classroom, and her love for students is just unmatched."

Watch the Denver7 story

McAuliffe Manual Middle School is Officially a 'Cool School'

McAuliffe Manual Middle School’s robust enrichment and multi-intensive peer-to-peer support programs earned the innovation school a spot on the 9News list of Cool Schools.

McAuliffe Manual is a middle school in the Northeast Denver Innovation Zone, which is a RootED grantee. The school uses its autonomy to provide a unique learning environment that prioritizes inclusion, experience-based learning opportunities, and social, emotional and mental health.

That caught the attention of 9News reporters Byron Reed and Courtney Yuen, who visited McAuliffe Manual in April to celebrate its unique programs and community.

Watch the 9News Story

Watch Live Coverage of the Cool Schools Segment

Introducing the Denver Education Vision Project

The Denver Education Vision Project is an exciting new city-wide campaign that celebrates the strengths of Denver's diverse family of schools.

Guided by RootED Denver and The Open System Institute, families and students from across Denver Public Schools have come together to share their vision for their ideal education system.

The project has involved gathering perspectives from people in our communities who are often unheard, conducting interviews within their diverse networks, and creating journey maps to showcase their experiences with the current education system.

On May 9, we hosted a community event to share these experiences with partners and community members, aiming to establish a shared vision for education in Denver.

Moving forward, we will continue to engage with the community and share this vision to identify promising partners and align our efforts. Our goal is to make plans and progress toward our vision for education in Denver.

Stay tuned for updates and opportunities to get involved in shaping the future of education in Denver!

Complete the Denver Public Schools Safety Plan Survey by May 19

Denver Public Schools wants your feedback on the first draft of the district’s long-term safety plan.

Students, families, educators and community members can complete an interactive survey to provide detailed thoughts on the plan. The deadline to complete the survey is Friday, May 19.

Visit the district’s website to learn more about the timeline for the safety plan and about upcoming community engagement opportunities.

Complete the Survey