Speakers
Advocacy & Policy
This interactive session features a panel of Teach Plus Colorado Policy Fellows, all charter teachers, who are engaging in policy advocacy to address pressing challenges in education. Drawing on both their classroom experiences and substantive research, the Fellows are working on issues such as SpEd educator recruitment and retention, equitable access to postsecondary readiness opportunities, and innovative approaches to staffing models.
Research shows that when teachers are trusted partners in decision-making, schools see stronger satisfaction, reduced turnover, and improved outcomes for students. This session invites school and system leaders to reflect on how they are engaging teacher leadership in their own contexts. Participants will be challenged to consider questions such as:
- Where do teachers in your school/network have real autonomy to drive meaningful change?
- How are teachers empowered to bridge policy and practice?
- What bold steps can you take in the next six months to grow meaningful, equity-driven teacher leadership?
Learn how teacher-led insights can bolster the work of school leaders, charter networks, and system partners. Attendees will leave with practical strategies and a renewed vision for elevating teacher leadership to strengthen retention, drive innovation, and advance equity.
Garfield Warren teaches AP World History and AP African American Studies at Denver School of Science and Technology-Green Valley Ranch High School in Denver, CO, where he helps students build confidence and critical thinking skills through English language development and multilingual education. Garfield was an Urban Leaders Fellow, collaborating with Colorado Representative Jennifer Bacon to advance support services and tax benefits for BIPOC communities. He also led a youth leadership program with Gary Community Ventures as part of the Piton Fellows initiative. Garfield earned a B.S. in Public Law and American Government from Eastern Michigan University and an M.P.A. with a focus on State Agencies from Western Michigan University.