A Year of Listening & Acting

December 14, 2020

By Rebecca Holmes, CEI President and CEO

As we close this year, there are reminders everywhere that the pandemic is not yet over. However, Governor Polis described the arrival of the first vaccine doses this week as “the beginning of the end.” Similarly, in schools and districts across the state, leaders are beginning to find enough reprieve – and the necessity – to begin to think about what comes next in education.  After enormous disruption, we are beginning to have clarity on the issues that will require focused educational recovery efforts. 

This past week, we released our second needs inventory that is asking us to listen again to the field and begin to identify patterns. Commissioner Anthes has recently described the pandemic as having turned the gaps in our educational system into chasms, and bringing that equity lens to the needs inventory is critical. The data shows that we should all be very concerned about early learning loss, high school engagement, and the mental health/social emotional development of educators and students. Without action, it’s likely we will see significant effects well into the next decade. Will we act? Of course, educators will do all they can. But we see this as a time for more concerted efforts and for the kind of system-level change that creates more enabling conditions around those educators and families.  

My experience at CEI has taught me that everywhere in our state there are education leaders willing to act to ensure what is possible for students and families. So much of 2020 has been about listening to these incredible leaders and then marshaling the resources necessary for action. We are all exhausted from this year, and yet I expect 2021 will require even more from us all on behalf of the kids who’ve lost the most this year. I hope you all can take a much-needed break and then we can return in 2021 ready to listen and act upon what the year asks of us. And, for those of you supporting families at a time when even the holiday break feels challenging, click here for my thoughts on how to approach the next two weeks.

FEATURED POSTS
Recovery Summer Coalition Funds 11 Programs for Colorado Children and Families

$350,000 in funding will support summer programs that focus on equity, engagement, and wellness following pandemic disruptions The Recovery Summer Coalition (the...

St Vrain Places Priority on Staff Social Emotional Wellness

By Susan Paulsen, CEI Strategic Communications Manager Efforts to meet student needs begin with meeting staff needs St. Vrain Valley...

Sensemaking Stimulus Funds with Colorado School Districts – What We’re Asking and What We’re Hearing

By Rebecca Holmes, CEI President and CEO Like many of you, my team and I at CEI are paying close...

Up-Close with Harrison School District Leaders

By Susan Paulsen, CEI Strategic Communications Manager Q & A with Superintendent Wendy Birhanzel and Assistant Superintendent and Chief Financial...

Students Lead the Way

By Rebecca Holmes, CEI President and CEO When was the last time you really “stood in the shoes” of a...

What Might be Possible in 2021?

By Rebecca Holmes, CEI President and CEO The disruptions of 2020, long in some communities and shorter in others, pushed...

Q & A with Colorado Leader, Educator Dr. Cile Chavez

The newly-announced Dr. Cile Chavez Fellowship has been created to inspire diverse, under-represented education leaders to join the Rural Superintendent...

A Warm Welcome to George Welsh!

CEI is looking forward to the arrival of George Welsh in 2021. A 24-year veteran superintendent, George will bring his...

Colorado Classroom Project Expands Access to Literacy Instruction

By Rebecca Holmes, CEI President and CEO I wanted to break our regular cycle of end-of-month newsletters to share some...

What’s Needed… and What’s Next

By Rebecca Holmes, CEI President and CEO This has been a tough, turbulent, and challenging month for communities in Colorado....

Purposeful Partnership in the Time of COVID

By Landon Mascareñaz, CEI Vice President of Community Partnership Right now across Colorado, tens of thousands of families have embarked...

Understanding the Impact of COVID-19

By Rebecca Holmes, CEI President and CEO This is a challenging time for schools and districts across Colorado. The impact...

Social-Emotional Development: Creating Relationship-Rich School Ecosystems

By Rebecca Holmes, CEI President and CEO It’s been a very exciting start to the new year here at CEI....

Caring for Colorado Foundation and Colorado Education Initiative Announce “Youth Connections”

Statewide Effort Supports Mental Health and Well-Being in Middle and High Schools Caring for Colorado Foundation (CFC) and Colorado Education...

Setting a Foundation for Intentional and Equitable Student Learning

By Rebecca Holmes, CEI President and CEO Last year, CEI worked with just over 50 Colorado school districts. The diversity...

Supporting Whole Communities Through a Redesign and Reimagining Process

By Rebecca Holmes, CEI President and CEO Happy Holidays!  This has been a big year for us here at the...

CEI and Colorado Succeeds Combine Efforts to Launch Homegrown Talent Initiative

Imagine families, schools, businesses, and higher education coming together to support high school students in finding their passions, engaging with...

SHARE