Ten finalists for Denver Public Schools Board Director of District 4 presented to the community on Monday, March 21 at Manual High School. Candidates were given five minutes to express how they would achieve success as Board Director.
1. Jennifer Bacon
Attorney and BS in Management, Business Law and American Politics. Juris Doctor. 10+ years in public education. Speech focused on access to quality schools, accountability and acknowledgment
2. Makisha Boothe
University of Colorado at Denver, B.A. Currently DPS Director of Strategic School Design and Senior Director. Speech focused on equity and urgency to create diverse, innovative school models in all neighborhoods
3. Priya Burkett (stand-in pictured)
University of Colorado, Denver, Executive MBA. The George Wasington University, D.C. BA, Finance and Information Systems. Currently Director, Strategic Accounts, Xcel Energy and Board of Director, Denver Public Schools Foundation. Speech focused on nurturing the whole child and providing social-emotional support in classrooms
4. Rachele Camesa-Espiritu
University of Colorado-Boulder, Ph.D Clinical Psychology, University of Colorado-Boulder, MA Clinical Psychology, University of California-San Diego, BA Psychology. Practicing psychologist and Founder of small business. Speech focused on student’s well being and mental health
5. Velvia Garner
BS Nursing, MS in Nursing Administration, Doctorate (in progress), Public Administration, Policy, Public Management. Speech focused on classroom management and supporting a child’s mental health
6. Jo-Nell Herndon
MBA and Master of Nonprofit Management. Previously served on boards including Montessori Academy of Colorado and the CU Denver Business School. Founder of Montessori ECE school. Speech focused on social-emotional services, and getting resources to schools that really need it
7. MiDian Z. Holmes
Operations professional, specializing in training development. Community activities include education advocacy and community resource for Colorado Student Athletes. Speech focused advocating for DPS kids who do not attend high-performing schools
8. Arnetta Koger
Teacher Leader. Social studies teacher, Denver Center for: International Studies at Montbello. Obama for America community organizer. Speech focused on equity for children of color, as well as the need for more teachers of color
9. Dexter Korto
9th grade writing teacher and 7th grade social studies teacher at DSST: Cole. Previously Urban Leader Fellow, defensive backs coach at Montbello High School, recipient of D1 athletic scholarship. Speech focused on supporting all students, citing a Special Ed International student who “DPS failed”
10. Adrienne Tate
Founder and Lead Consultant, Tate Education Consulting. Designed and facilitated trainings for teachers and school leaders. Speech focused on achievement of children of color and special needs students and need for teacher training
Remaining Schedule for Board Director Selection
4:30pm Thursday, April 7 the Board will interview the finalists
4:30pm Tuesday, April 12 the Board will vote on the finalists and announce the selection
4:30pm Monday, April 18 the new District 4 Board Director will be sworn in at the Board of Education work session
