Members from across Colorado gathered at the Capitol earlier this month for the annual Educators of Color Lobby Day to discuss public education funding and the retention rates of educators of color with legislators.
The event highlighted concerns about insufficient resources in schools and the importance of representation among teaching staff. Participants said that increased funding is necessary to support students, especially those from diverse backgrounds, and to address ongoing staff shortages.
Attorney General Phil Weiser attended a training session before members met with lawmakers, listening to their experiences as educators. Valerie Luutran, a seventh-grade science teacher and St. Vrain Education Association member, said, “I think it makes it really difficult for students to learn when they don’t feel safe and represented. And a huge part of that is our students of color seeing staff that look like them.” She added, “I’m really counting on my [legislators] to support Senate Bill 135 to allocate money towards funding public education so our students can be successful in the classroom.”
Victoria Paez, a middle school English language arts teacher and Westminster Education Association member, also spoke about her role as one of the only Latina teachers in her building. “I want to, one, be the representation that my students need, and two, I want to be the voice of my students,” Paez said. “We really need this funding for the schools because I have a lot of newcomers who are coming into this country now who don’t have the resources in that classroom.”
During a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Senate Bill 26-135, Patrick Jiner from Denver Classroom Teachers Association testified about ongoing challenges due to underfunding: “Chronic underfunding makes it extremely hard to provide the resources and programs our students need,” he said. “Thirty years later, I’m still dealing with the same issues, teachers taking from their own budgets just to buy basic supplies.” Jiner concluded by urging support for the bill: “When we invest in public education, we are investing in the future of our economy, our communities, and our country.”
Other testimonies included Irma Sandovol from Poudre Education Association describing how lack of funds affects classroom safety and Zelda Alao from Cherry Creek Education discussing how staff shortages have forced her into multiple roles: “Our teachers are exhausted, so much so that they are quitting, and quitting on our students,” Alao said.
The day ended with an informal lunch where legislators such as Sen. Tony Exum and Rep. Jamie Jackson discussed ways educators could become more involved in politics. Rep. Jennifer Bacon and Attorney General candidate David Seligman thanked attendees for advocating on behalf of their students.
Organizers say events like CEA Lobby Days allow educators of color to share their perspectives directly with policymakers while working toward culturally responsive learning environments.
