A NEW ERA

Yesterday I was elected to serve as Vice President on the Denver School Board. This election marked a true changing of the guard in Denver Public Schools for the first time in recent history. First, I want to congratulate our new School Board leadership, President Xóchitl ‘Sochi’ Gaytán, Secretary Michelle Quattlebaum, and Treasurer Scott Esserman. Together we will work to ensure that this board focuses on our students, educators and community.

Next, I want to thank the Denver Classroom Teachers Association. Without their support, none of us would be where we are at right now. In the midst of a global pandemic and before our educators were knocking on doors meeting voters, they donated their union dues to ensure we had the tools to make it across the finish line, and in the end their efforts were successful in creating the first 7–0 union majority board in recent history.

Now, I would like to thank my family, friends, and community for their endless support and guidance. I know that this year has been rough on all of us and now more than ever will we have those seeking to tear down the movement we have built, but together we will overcome.

Over the last few months I have had to literally fight for my life and future. In May I considered ending my own life battling through mental health challenges and then in September I was censured by the former School Board. As I reflect on the distance between those battles to now being elected Vice President of the Denver School Board, one of the most important lessons I’ve learned is to not give up. Keep fighting.

The School Board that was often consumed by drama and adult politics is the School Board of the past. This new School Board is dedicated to putting our students FIRST. This new School Board is committed to working in partnership with our unions. This new School Board must be ready to meet the challenges we will face head on. Regardless of where you go to school or what school model you attend, I will fight for you and I will represent your values.

Welcome to a new era in Denver Public Schools.

• Denver School Board Vice President, Tay Anderson