Public education is under unprecedented attack from divisive ideologies seeking to undermine the very foundations of open inquiry and professional expertise. Colorado's future demands an education system that is both deeply rooted in foundational excellence and boldly progressive in its commitment to equity and innovation. As your candidate for the Colorado State Legislature, I champion a comprehensive vision for public education that empowers every student with robust knowledge, critical thinking skills, and the capacity for both individual achievement and collective impact, preparing them not just for a job but for a lifetime of engaged citizenship and personal fulfillment. I stand as an unwavering champion for our educators, our students' right to a comprehensive education, and the preservation of intellectual freedom against the damaging forces that seek to control what our children learn. By combining a foundational education with workforce skills, we can prepare students for more than their first job, but arm them with the skills to advance and thrive for a lifetime.

We will actively combat the corrosive influence of extremism by:

• Treating Teachers as the Professionals They Are: Our educators are highly trained experts dedicated to nurturing young minds. We must reject the politically motivated campaigns that demean their professionalism, question their motives, and subject them to constant scrutiny. This means:

  • Empowering Educators: Teaching isn't just a job, it's a calling. Our public school teachers are professionals, often with the skills and education to enter any high-paying field, yet they are drawn to the classroom. They must not only be respected, but compensated for the work they do. They are crafting and cultivating the next generation of thinkers and leaders. We must allow teachers to make informed pedagogical decisions based on their expertise, rather than ceding control to ideologically driven mandates.

  • Investing in Professional Development: Providing robust, evidence-based professional development that supports innovative teaching practices and fosters collaboration, rather than imposing politically charged training.

  • Ensuring Competitive Compensation and Supportive Work Environments: Recognizing that attracting and retaining top talent requires more than just rhetoric. We will fight for fair wages, manageable class sizes, and school cultures that value respect, collaboration, and academic freedom.

• Defending the Freedom to Read and Learn: The escalating trend of book banning and curriculum censorship in other states is a direct assault on intellectual freedom and a profound disservice to our students. In Colorado, we will actively resist these efforts by:

  • Upholding the Rights of Students to Access Diverse Literature: Championing comprehensive library collections that reflect a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and ideas, preparing students for a diverse and complex world.

  • Protecting Curricular Integrity: Safeguarding the ability of educators to select age-appropriate, academically sound materials that foster critical thinking and a nuanced understanding of history and contemporary society.

  • Resisting Ideological Interference: Standing firm against attempts to impose narrow, politically motivated narratives that distort history, erase marginalized voices, or restrict discussions on topics like race, gender, or social justice.

• Preserving a Complete and Accurate History: Attacks on "critical works" and the "erasure of history" are attempts to sanitize our past and limit our students' ability to understand the present. We are committed to:

  • Teaching Comprehensive History: Ensuring that our students engage with the full, unvarnished complexities of American and world history, including both its triumphs and its injustices. This means embracing historical inquiry that encourages critical analysis and nuanced understanding, rather than simplistic or patriotic narratives.

  • Rejecting Divisive Narratives in Favor of Informed Dialogue: Fostering classrooms where difficult conversations can occur respectfully and constructively, equipping students with the skills to engage with diverse viewpoints and contribute to a truly democratic society.

• A Strong Foundation in the Basics: Reaffirming mastery in core subjects like reading, writing, arithmetic, history, and science, ensuring every child has the essential building blocks for advanced learning.

• Fostering Critical Thinking: Cultivating analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and the capacity for reasoned judgment. Our students need to evaluate information, construct sound arguments, and adapt to a rapidly changing world.

By investing in an education that emphasizes intellectual rigor, moral development, and practical wisdom, we will empower our teachers, enrich our students' learning, and ensure that every Colorado child receives an education that truly prepares them to think critically, engage thoughtfully, and contribute meaningfully to our flourishing and just state.