Elevate Education

Welcome to a new school year! Elevate Education is back with an episode hosted by students from the Jeffco Student Leadership Board. Jackson Prew and Victoria Santillana Reyes sit down with Dr. Rob Stein, Jeffco Public Schools' new interim superintendent. Dr. Stein introduces himself to the Jeffco community and shares what he is looking forward to in this school year. Their conversation covers topics about key priorities in Jeffco this year. They discuss what the American teenager's experience is in high school today and what they hope listeners will learn from their experience.

At the 2026 State of the District, Superintendent Tracy Dorland shared a transparent look at where Jeffco Public Schools stands today—highlighting strong student outcomes, ongoing challenges, and the shared responsibility required to sustain excellence for the future.

Jeffco continues to see strong gains for students across every stage of learning. In elementary school, more students are building strong foundations. In middle school, students are finding belonging while exploring interests and developing skills that prepare them for what's next. In high school, expanded college and career pathways are helping students graduate with real-world experience and options for the future.

These efforts contributed to the Class of 2025 achieving Jeffco's highest graduation rate in 16 years.

Even as students thrive, Jeffco is navigating financial challenges that require continued community partnership. Declining enrollment and some of the lowest per-pupil funding on the Front Range create real constraints, underscoring the need for ongoing community conversations about sustainable funding and continued investment in students, staff and schools. Jeffco is exploring future revenue options for the community to partner in.

What makes a leader truly transformative? In this powerful episode of Elevate Education, host Matt Palaoro sits down with Jeffco alum and leadership expert Shawn Vanderhoven, partner at the Wiseman Group and co-creator of the best-selling book Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter. They explore the difference between leaders who amplify the talent around them and those who unintentionally diminish it.

Through personal stories and practical strategies, Shawn unpacks what it means to be a "multiplier" and how educators at every level can cultivate curiosity, create space for others to thrive, and lead brilliant work. This episode will leave you inspired and equipped to bring out the best in your team.

Resources from the episode:

• Multipliers Book
• Diminisher Quiz

Thinking about running for school board, or just curious what the role actually entails? In this bonus episode of Elevate Education, guest host and former Jeffco Board President Stephanie Schooley sits down with current Board members Paula Reed and Erin Kenworthy for a conversation about what it's like to campaign, serve, and make decisions that impact students.

This episode offers valuable reflections and practical advice for anyone considering stepping up to serve their community. Whether you're ready to run or just exploring the idea, this is a must-listen conversation that pulls back the curtain on one of the most important civic responsibilities in public education.

Learn more about running for the Jeffco Public Schools Board here: https://www.jeffcopublicschools.org/about/board-of-education/board-elections

As the school year winds down, our Elevate Education hosts; Matt Palaoro, Tara Peña and Jason Firestone, come together to reflect on the moments, challenges and growth that shaped this year in Jeffco Public Schools. In this wrap-up episode, the trio shares the words that defined their leadership journeys: voice, gratitude, and community and revisit some of the season's most impactful conversations, from student leadership, AI in education to mental health and the joy of tiny library concerts.

Tune in as they highlight how student and family voices helped shape decisions, celebrate the resilience of educators, and offer words of encouragement to carry us into summer.

The Open Sardines from Jeffco Open School are making their debut on our Tiny Library Concert series! This middle and high school band came together as part of a special music experiment, and they're bringing their incredible energy and talent to the stage with live performances of "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac and "When I Come Around" by Green Day. In this episode, hear from the band about how music has helped them grow both as musicians and individuals, and how it's brought them closer as a group. Learn more about Jeffco Open School on their website.

Dr. Joyce Brooks's story is one of transformation, from a young girl growing up in the segregated South to a respected educator, community leader, and lifelong advocate for public education. In this episode of Elevate Education, Dr. Brooks reflects on the experiences that shaped her belief in the power of learning and how those experiences led her to stand up for students, support families, and model leadership rooted in service.

You'll hear:

• How early life experiences can shape a commitment to advocacy

• What educators and families can do to form strong, trusting partnerships

• Why community voice matters in shaping strong schools

• How anyone, regardless of title, can lead with care and conviction

Dr. Brooks reminds us that lasting impact often begins with a single step: the decision to care, to act, and to advocate for what's right for students.

Resources from this episode:

• https://blackparentnetwork.org/

In this episode of the Elevate Education Podcast, Jason Firestone sits down with Matt Mervis, Director of AI Strategy, and Dr. Elizabeth Rowley, Director of Research and Innovation at Skills 21, to discuss how AI is reshaping K-12 education. From enhancing personalized learning experiences to fostering critical thinking through project-based learning, they explore the transformative power of combining AI tools with student-driven projects.

Learn how AI is supporting students in overcoming learning roadblocks, fueling creativity, and offering real-world applications that make learning more relevant. This conversation dives into the potential of AI to complement and amplify the hands-on, inquiry-based education that prepares students for the future. Tune in for insights on how schools can integrate AI into classrooms, along with practical tips on prompting and using AI ethically to support students' growth and creativity.

Resources from this episode:

• Skills 21 Website – For more information about their work in project-based learning and AI integration in schools: Skills 21

• Skills 21's AI Prompt Library – A collection of resources for educators to utilize AI in classrooms, including sample prompts for creating rubrics, lesson plans, and more: Skills 21 AI Prompts

• ChatEdu Podcast – A podcast by the Skills 21 team where they explore AI and its applications in education: ChatEdu Podcast

• AI Vision and Voice Tools – Exploration of tools like AI Vision (e.g., Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot) and AI Voice for interactive learning:

Where does school funding come from, and why does it feel like there's never enough?

In this episode of Elevate Education, Superintend Tracy Dorland sits down with Tracie Rainey, Executive Director of the Colorado School Finance Project, to break down the complex world of school funding. They tackle common misconceptions about property taxes, how Colorado's funding model impacts local schools, and what recent statewide financial adequacy studies reveal about the gaps in K-12 education funding.

💡 Why does Colorado rank 50th in teacher wage competitiveness? 💡 How do neighboring districts secure more funding per student? 💡 What does the future of school funding look like and how does it impact students?

If you've ever wondered where your tax dollars go when it comes to public education, this episode is for you.

Resources from this episode:

• Colorado School Finance Project

Join Deputy Superintendent Dr. Kim LeBlanc Esparza as she hosts a conversation with principals Shannon Vigil from Bear Creek High School and Emily Johnson from Carmody Middle School. In the third episode of our "State of the District" series, we explore how Jeffco Public Schools is reshaping the middle and high school experience to better prepare students for their futures. Hear their thoughts on real-world, relevant learning experiences, durable skills like collaboration and critical thinking and innovative approaches such as career-focused pathways and concurrent enrollment. This episode offers insights for educators and parents aiming to foster environments where students can thrive, succeed and feel deeply connected to their learning journey.