The Denver Public Schools Podcast

In The Lesson Plan, host Nicole Brady takes listeners inside Denver Public Schools to explore how instruction, curriculum, and innovative teaching practices are shaping brighter futures for students. Each episode breaks down complex education topics into conversations anyone can understand, whether you’re a parent, teacher, student, or community member. In this episode, Nicole is joined by Jessica...

1. Canine Weapons Detection The Department of Climate and Safety is launching a Canine Weapon Detection Program at select DPS sporting events this semester. Safety means more than preventing harm – it’s about creating spaces where students and staff feel supported, comfortable, and able to thrive. Adding canine teams at events provides reassurance and helps the DPS community focus on learning, con...

In the latest EDUCA DPS Podcast, Nathalie Valencia and Kelly Bravo discuss FAFSA, CASFA and the many opportunities DPS students have to access college and career pathways.  Tune in to hear how DPS is expanding access to higher education and supporting every student’s journey towards college and career success. Listen in English and in Spanish or on your preferred podcast platform.  Thank you to ou...

En el último podcast de EDUCA DPS, Nathalie Valencia y Kelly Bravo hablan sobre la FAFSA, CASFA y las numerosas oportunidades que tienen los estudiantes de DPS para acceder a sus carreras universitarias y profesionales. Sintonízalo para descubrir cómo DPS está ampliando el acceso a la educación superior y apoyando el camino de cada estudiante hacia el éxito universitario y profesional. Escúchalo e...

1. Submit Nominations For Storytelling Campaign DPS is launching a storytelling campaign to celebrate the incredible students and educators across our community. In this campaign, the word “Public” in Denver Public Schools is replaced with five empowering adjectives — Passionate, Personalized, Powerful, Prestigious and Proud — to highlight what makes DPS amazing. We’re inviting YOU to nominate a s...

1. Tell Your Students About SHIFT: Students for Health, Innovation, Facts and Truth SHIFT, a program from Student Voice and Leadership, is a new, year-long, paid leadership opportunity for middle and high schoolers. This opportunity focuses on uplifting student input to design the future of sexual health education and student voice at DPS. Any middle or high schooler should apply if they are inter...

On this week’s episode of the DPS Education Podcast We’re joined by Dr. O’Neil from CSU Global to talk about opportunities for educators to earn their teacher and principal licensure 100% online . Dr. O’Neil shares how CSU Global’s flexible, asynchronous model makes professional growth possible for busy teachers while focusing on the skills our students need today—and in the future. Listen now to...

1. Celebrating SPF Ratings  On 9/3, the Colorado Department of Education released its annual District Performance Framework (DPFs) and School Performance Framework (SPFs) reports.  For the second time in history, Denver Public Schools’ preliminary district rating is Accredited! This rating is most commonly known as “green.” It’s one of the highest rankings a district can receive! We’re proud to an...

1. Celebrating Attendance Growth Across DPS Team DPS visited Legacy Options High School and Cheltenham Elementary to celebrate each school’s improvement in attendance!  Legacy Options High School improved their overall attendance from 78.19% to 83.17% for a total improvement of 4.98%. They also decreased chronic absenteeism from 73.68% to 64.49% for a total improvement of -9.20%! Cheltenham Elemen...

The Lesson Plan takes you inside the classrooms of Denver Public Schools to explore how better curriculum, stronger instruction, and intentional strategies are driving student success. Hosted by Nicole Brady, this podcast brings you candid conversations with district leaders, educators, and experts who are shaping the learning experience every day. In our debut episode, Nicole sits down with Dr. S...

1. DPS Special Education Advisory Committee (DSEAC) 2025-26 Applications Now Open The DPS Special Education Department is seeking members for the 2025-26 Denver Special Education Advisory Committee (DSEAC)! This district-wide advisory group includes DPS parents, students, educators, administrators and community members dedicated to advancing special education programs and outcomes for students wit...

1. DPS App & Rooms We’re excited to announce the launch of Rooms, our new two-way messaging feature, fully integrated into the official DPS app. You no longer need multiple accounts or apps to stay informed about your child’s school and district updates. Rooms allows you to receive important announcements, communicate with teachers, and keep track of coursework all in one convenient location....

In this episode, we dive into Universal Preschool (UPK) and explore how it’s making a difference for families across Denver. We also highlight how the Denver Public Library’s Summer Program helped make this conversation possible through their generous sponsorship. 📚✨ Don’t miss this engaging discussion about early learning, community partnerships, and the role of libraries in supporting young sc...

En este episodio, profundizamos en el Preescolar Universal (UPK) y exploramos cómo está marcando la diferencia para las familias de Denver. También destacamos cómo el Programa de Verano de la Biblioteca Pública de Denver hizo posible esta conversación gracias a su generoso patrocinio. 📚✨ No se pierdan esta interesante charla sobre aprendizaje temprano, colaboraciones comunitarias y el papel de l...

En este episodio especial, orgullosamente patrocinado por la Biblioteca Pública de Denver, le damos la bienvenida a Cat Lovejoy, conectora comunitaria bilingüe del Centro de Defensa Infantil de Denver. Juntos, profundizamos en uno de los problemas más urgentes que enfrentan los jóvenes hoy en día: el estrés adolescente. Desde la presión de las redes sociales hasta el desarrollo de la identidad y l...

In this special episode, proudly sponsored by the Denver Public Library, we welcome Cat Lovejoy, bilingual community connector with the Denver Children's Advocacy Center. Together, we dive into one of the most pressing issues facing youth today: teen stress. From social media pressures to identity development and peer relationships, we explore what’s really going on inside the minds of teens,...

Black Voices in Color – Mentorship In this episode of Black Voices in Color, we explore the power of mentorship, who counts as a mentor, why we need them, and how they help shape our personal and professional growth. From broken chargers to spiritual guidance, from TikTok breaks to real-life role models, this episode is full of laughs, reflection, and real talk. Produced by Denver Public Schools,...

Welcome to Black Voices in Color , a student-produced podcast from Denver Public Schools that amplifies the voices of Black students across the district. In this episode, hosts Annai, Paris, Savannah, and Josh reflect on the powerful moments from the 5280 Student Voice and Leadership Summit at the Colorado History Museum — where students tackled real issues like declining enrollment and school vio...

This week on a very special edition of DPS Snapshots , we’re sitting down with Katia Lopez—special education teacher by day, Miss Denver by night!  Katia shares her incredible journey from a shy little girl in Texas to a fierce advocate for educational equity and the arts. Find out how a childhood love of theater, a big role in The Wizard of Oz , and a coffee chat with Miss Texas led her to the cl...

En el episodio de esta semana del podcast EDUCA DPS, nos acompañan Leah Raffa, especialista en prevención de sustancias de DPS, y Vannessa Media Padilla, dedicada consejera escolar de DC-21. Juntas, profundizan en la importancia de la prevención del consumo de sustancias y en cómo nuestras escuelas, familias y comunidades pueden colaborar para promover decisiones saludables e informadas para nuest...

In this week’s episode of the EDUCA DPS Podcast, we’re joined by Leah Raffa, DPS Substance Prevention Specialist, and Vannessa Media Padilla, a dedicated school counselor from DC-21. Together they dive into the importance of substance use prevention and how our schools, families and communities can work together to support healthy, informed choices for our young people.  Leah shares insights on ke...

1. The School Transformation Policy (STP) The new School Transformation Policy (STP) will be effective starting in the 2025–26 school year, the goal is to improve schools so that no school has 4 or more years of red or orange performance ratings. In doing so, it empowers DPS to take earlier, locally-driven action when schools experience multiple years of low performance, before state intervention...

This week on the Black Voices in Color podcast, the co-hosts explore the power and potential of Black entrepreneurship. Their conversation aims to inspire the next generation to dream big and think boldly about building their own business. Co-host Josh, founder of Keys to the City, shares his journey as a young entrepreneur, proving that it's never too early to start creating your future.  Tu...

1. First Annual DPS Seal of Climate Literacy Denver Public Schools is proud to celebrate innovative young climate leaders who were awarded the Seal of Climate Literacy, a new diploma endorsement recognizing student action, advocacy and knowledge about climate change. During a special event at North High School, students from across the district gathered together to celebrate the sustainability pro...

May is Asian American Pacific Islander Month and Jewish American Heritage Month. To celebrate, DPS created two videos   The DPS AAPI story features Ali, a senior at East High School, who helped bring the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) History class into her school's curriculum.  https://youtu.be/MYvb2ttmKwE   And the DPS Jewish American Heritage Video showcases...