Superintendents from each of the five major school districts in Adams County including Chris Gdowski, Adams 12 School District; Dr. Rod Blunck, Brighton School District 27J; Dr. Susan Chandler, Adams County School District 14; Charlotte Ciancio, Mapleton Public Schools; and Dr. Roberta Selleck, Adams County School District 50 addressed the group discussing the most prominent issues they face. A very candid conversation was held regarding public education funding issues and the impacts felt by Administrators in carrying out their objectives. Also discussed were the myriad of challenges faced by educators as they are called upon to address the basic needs of students, second-language learners and students with a variety of social issues. With an understanding that funding is not likely to increase in the near future, the basic message reiterated by the Superintendents was the need for community support.
“We need your involvement,” said Charlotte Ciancio, of Mapleton Public Schools when asked of her school district’s needs. “We all [school districts] need you to come in, volunteer, sit on a committee, read to a child. There are so many small, simple things that you can do to help make a difference for our children.”
After an opportunity to converse with education leaders, participants went out into schools to gain a direct perspective on how they function and what the public school environment is like. In addition to touring various schools, teachers met with participants and shared in open dialogue regarding their own experiences.
“I had the opportunity to visit Valley View, a K-8 Mapleton school and heard first hand from teachers about the challenges they face in their classrooms,” commented Laura Fenton of CB Richard Ellis and a participant in the Leadership Program. “With class sizes increased by funding issues and the broad range of educational abilities present amongst students resulting from language differences, variances in developmental levels, etc., it is easy to see how complex their jobs really are.”
Fenton went on to say, “Regardless of the challenges, the most prevalent message I heard from each of the educators I met was hope and passion. Hope for their students’ futures and a passion for the work they do.”
Leadership Program participants were also exposed to dialogue regarding the impact that education has on the economy. Andy Dorsey, President of Front Range Community College, Anne Hebert, Manager of Business/Training Services from Adams County Workforce, Beverly Kinston, Director of the Adams County Youth Initiative and Sandra Steiner, Executive Director of the Adams County Education Consortium each served as panelists who discussed their respective programs and their bearing on the region.
“I walked away with a very different perspective on education,” said Kami Welch of the Brighton Economic Development Corporation and Leadership Program Participant. “I certainly understand that it is up to me to get involved and to influence the outcome I would like to see in regards to education and my community.”
Leadership participants will meet monthly through June of 2011 for day-long sessions focused on regional priorities, issues and personal development.
Participants in this year’s program include: Adam Best, Melco; LaTrice Brewster, Horizons North Credit Union; Jon Brodhacker, Metro North Newspapers; Nedra Cox, La Bella Vita Health & Wellness; Renee Dees, The Senior Hub; Paolo Diaz, Junior Achievement; Elizabeth Dougherty, Westminster Total Beverage; Chris Fenton, Melco; Laura Fenton, CB Richard Ellis, Inc.; Lisandra Gonzales, Metro North Chamber of Commerce; Doug Hall, City of Westminster; Holly Hansen, ITT Technical Institute; Jon Stein, Bromley East Charter School; Kacee Hellar, Moutain View Bank of Commerce; Michelle Hill, Commerce City Economic Development; Sam Hill, Pro Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram; Ryan McCoy, Front Range Community College; Debra Montoya, Adams County School District #50; Susan Nielsen, Adams County Sheriff's Office; Phil Noble, Adams County Workforce & Business Center; Dr. Kenneth Polke, Kenneth J. Polke, DDS; Mary Probst, Goodwill Industries; Chuck Seest, City of Thornton; Karl Smalley, Adams County Sheriff's Office; Renae Stokke, Colorado Technical University; Ronnie Storey, Anythink Library; Frank Teunissen, Great Western Bank; David Twitchell, North Suburban Medical Center; Jon Vanzandt, Adams County Sheriff's Office; Kami Welch, Brighton Chamber of Commerce; and Pat Willett, City of Federal Heights.
For more information about the Metro North Chamber Leadership Program please contact Joni States at 303.288.1000 ext. 2 or visit www.MetroNorthChamber.com
