Elevate Education

State of the District 2026: A Shared Investment in Jeffco's Students At the 2026 State of the District, Superintendent Tracy Dorland shared a transparent look at where Jeffco Public Schools stands today—highlighting strong student outcomes, ongoing challenges, and the shared responsibility required to sustain excellence for the future. Student Success at Every Stage Jeffco continues to see strong...

What makes a leader truly transformative? In this powerful episode of Elevate Education , host Matt Palaoro sits down with Jeffco alum and leadership expert Shawn Vanderhoven , partner at the Wiseman Group and co-creator of the best-selling book Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter . They explore the difference between leaders who amplify the talent around them and those who uni...

Thinking about running for school board, or just curious what the role actually entails? In this bonus episode of Elevate Education , guest host and former Jeffco Board President Stephanie Schooley sits down with current Board members Paula Reed and Erin Kenworthy for a conversation about what it's like to campaign, serve, and make decisions that impact students. This episode offers valuable refle...

As the school year winds down, our Elevate Education hosts; Matt Palaoro, Tara Peña and Jason Firestone, come together to reflect on the moments, challenges and growth that shaped this year in Jeffco Public Schools. In this wrap-up episode, the trio shares the words that defined their leadership journeys: voice , gratitude , and community and revisit some of the season's most impactful conversatio...

The Open Sardines from Jeffco Open School are making their debut on our Tiny Library Concert series! This middle and high school band came together as part of a special music experiment, and they're bringing their incredible energy and talent to the stage with live performances of "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac and "When I Come Around" by Green Day. In this episode, hear from the band about how music h...

Dr. Joyce Brooks's story is one of transformation, from a young girl growing up in the segregated South to a respected educator, community leader, and lifelong advocate for public education. In this episode of  Elevate Education , Dr. Brooks reflects on the experiences that shaped her belief in the power of learning and how those experiences led her to stand up for students, support families, and...

In this episode of the Elevate Education Podcast, Jason Firestone sits down with Matt Mervis, Director of AI Strategy, and Dr. Elizabeth Rowley, Director of Research and Innovation at Skills 21, to discuss how AI is reshaping K-12 education. From enhancing personalized learning experiences to fostering critical thinking through project-based learning, they explore the transformative power of combi...

Where does school funding come from, and why does it feel like there's never enough?   In this episode of Elevate Education, Superintend Tracy Dorland sits down with Tracie Rainey, Executive Director of the Colorado School Finance Project, to break down the complex world of school funding. They tackle common misconceptions about property taxes, how Colorado's funding model impacts local schools, a...

Join Deputy Superintendent Dr. Kim LeBlanc Esparza as she hosts a conversation with principals Shannon Vigil from Bear Creek High School and Emily Johnson from Carmody Middle School. In the third episode of our "State of the District" series, we explore how Jeffco Public Schools is reshaping the middle and high school experience to better prepare students for their futures. Hear their thoughts on...

In this special episode of Elevate Education , we discuss school safety with two of Jeffco Public Schools' top leaders: Chief Human Resources Officer Amanda Pierorazio and Executive Director of School Safety Jeff Pierson. Join Superintendent Tracy Dorland and her guests as they share the district's multi-layered approach to keeping students and staff safe, from proactive security measures to emerg...

In this first episode of our "State of Our District" series, Superintendent Tracy Dorland and Deputy Superintendent Dr. Kym LeBlanc Esparza reflect on the state of the district. They share  compelling gains in early literacy, the efforts to prepare students for both college and careers through durable skills, and the work being done to support students in both traditional and alternative education...

In this episode, we dive into the world of artificial intelligence in education with Victor Lee, a Professor at Stanford University and a leading voice in AI research. Victor takes us on a journey through the myths and realities of AI in schools, from concerns about cheating to its potential as a teaching tool. Whether you're an educator or a parent, this conversation will provide clarity on how A...

In the continuation of our conversation with Dr. Jessica Hawks, a child psychology expert from Children's Hospital Colorado, we go deeper into the critical topic of emotional regulation. Tara and Dr. Hawks explore how adolescence manage stress and anxiety, how they should be managing these emotions, and the role parents play in modeling and teaching these skills. Dr. Hawkes shares invaluable insig...

We are joined by Dr. Jessica Hawkes, a leading child and adolescent psychologist from Children's Hospital Colorado and Associate Professor at the University of Colorado. Together, we explore the critical role mental health plays in students' overall development, academic success and well-being from early childhood through adolescence. This is part one of a two part series on mental health in K-12...

In this special edition of the Elevate Education Podcast, we bring the magic of music into focus with our Tiny Desk Concert series! Join us as we visit Creighton Middle School and experience the incredible talent of their 8th-grade performers. From instrumental duets and ensembles, these young artists share their passion and creativity through music, showcasing the vibrant arts culture thriving in...

As the world changes rapidly, traditional high school education remains largely the same. In this episode, host Jason Firestone sits down with John Thanos, a forward-thinking leader, to discuss how high schools can evolve to better prepare students for the future. From personalized learning and real-world skills development to navigating challenges like curriculum innovation, John shares his insig...

Matt Palaoro sits down with Brenna Copeland, Chief Financial Officer for Jeffco Public Schools to break down school finances. Brenna's expertise and sense of humor make navigating school funding and budgets manageable! In this episode you will learn:  How public school districts like Jeffco are funded How schools develop their budgets and decide where to allocate funds Ways that you, as a parent o...

In this episode of Elevate Education, we are thrilled to have Crisanta Duran, a trailblazer in public service and a passionate advocate for education and social justice. Join us as we dive into the critical topic of empowering communities through education and civic engagement. Crisanta shares her journey from growing up in Jefferson County to becoming the first Latina Speaker of the Colorado Hous...

In today's fast-paced, tech-driven world, cell phones are a constant companion—but what happens when schools hit the brakes and say, "No phones allowed?" On this episode of the Elevate Education Podcast , host Matt Palaoro talks with Chris Hagel, Chief Information Officer at Peninsula School District in Washington. With over two decades of experience in K-12 technology, Chris shares how his distri...

In this episode of the Elevate Education Podcast, host Jason Firestone welcomes Kelly McLean, the president and founder of the Kelly McLean Achievement Center (KMAC). Based in Ohio, KMAC specializes in guiding students through the complex world of college admissions, from finding the perfect college fit to mastering ACT/SAT prep and securing scholarships. Tune in as Kelly shares insider tips on na...

In this special live episode, hosts Matt Palaoro, Tara Pena, and Jason Firestone kick off Season 2 of the Elevate Education Podcast with a live episode from Jeffco Public Schools' Leadership Launch. They invite the Jeffco Student Leadership Board to share about the theme of belonging.  Join us as our student leaders share their insights on what gets them excited about returning to school, the impo...

Welcome back to Elevate Education! In our sixth episode, the hosts chat with Tara Peña, the Chief of Family and Community Partnerships at Jeffco Public Schools. Tara shares how schools can integrate family and community partnerships to boost student success. Tune in as we discuss: The importance of family engagement in education. Practical ways schools can strengthen relationships with families. C...

In this episode of Elevate Education, we are joined by Jeffco's Deputy Superintendent Dr. Kym LeBlanc Esparza! Join us as we discuss the complexities surrounding chronic absenteeism and explore why school attendance is more important than ever. Dr. Kym  brings three decades of expertise to shed light on the significance of addressing chronic absenteeism and how it impacts student success. She high...

On this episode of Elevate Education, we discuss special education, while getting to know one of our hosts, Matt Palaoro, a bit more. He shares his journey from a para educator to his current role as the Chief Student Success officer for Jeffco Public Schools, detailing the pivotal moments and passions that have shaped his career. Matt's experience is a testament to the power of the transformative...

Join us for a heartfelt conversation on the 25th rememberance of the Columbine tragedy. In this episode, we welcome Mr. Frank DeAngelis, retired principal of Columbine High School, who shares his insights and reflections. From his 40-year dedication to education to his role as a leading advocate for school safety, Mr. DeAngelis offers perspectives on post-tragedy recovery and resilience. Listen as...