Showing posts with label Colorado. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Colorado. Show all posts

Sunday, March 26, 2023

Jimmy Lee Day II named Colorado’s Teacher of the Year

Jimmy Lee Day II, an African American educator from Aurora, Colorado who has been teaching for over 13 years, has made history as the first Black male to ever be awarded the state’s Teacher of the Year Award.

As part of the celebrations for his achievement, Day was recently given special recognition by Colorado State Senator Rhonda Fields at the state Capitol. It comes a few months after he was honored during a surprise ceremony at East Middle School in Aurora, where he currently teaches, last October.

Since 2017, he has taught at the school, serving as its band director and instrumental music teacher. In his 13 years of teaching experience, he has rebuilt 3 struggling band programs, developing them into award-winning programs that achieved top ratings at district music festivals.

Day said his simple formula for effective transformative teaching just includes consistency and connection to his students.

“From classroom management to how I rehearse my students to how I want my expectations — it’s consistent, it doesn’t change, it’s unbending and then my connection — me making myself human just like you and we make connections,” Day told CBS News.

Moving forward, Day intends to continue giving his students valuable lessons, highlighting the importance of music to them.

Thursday, September 08, 2022

Racist Colorado GOP candidate refers to Black candidates as chimps

Marla Fernandez

Things have gotten ugly in a Colorado state house race where a Republican candidate,Marla Fernandez refferred to Black candidates as “chimps.” The longshot Republican candidate in the race for Colorado’s House District 3 also said she is not apologizing.

Thursday, June 25, 2020

Colorado governor appoints attorney general to investigate Elijah McClain’s death

Amid a growing national outcry, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Thursday designated Attorney General Phil Weiser as a special prosecutor to investigate the death of 23-year-old Elijah McClain following a violent encounter with Aurora police last year.

Prosecutors opted not to charge the three Aurora officers involved in the incident, which culminated with McClain being placed in a chokehold, then given a sedative by medical personnel, after he refused to stop for police responding to a report of a suspicious person walking down the street.

The governor’s office said that if the facts support prosecution, Weiser would also criminally charge any individuals whose actions caused McClain’s death.

“I was moved by speaking with Elijah’s mother and her description of her son as a responsible and curious child who became a vegetarian to be healthier, and who could inspire the darkest soul,” Polis said in a statement. “His friends describe him as a gentle peacemaker who worked as a massage therapist and enjoyed playing the violin. Elijah McClain should be alive today, and we owe it to his family to take this step and elevate the pursuit of justice in his name to a statewide concern.”

Renewed attention on McClain’s death — through national press coverage and social media activism — comes amid a nationwide reckoning with police brutality against Black communities and racial inequities following the death last month of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.

“Whenever someone dies after an encounter with law enforcement, the community deserves a thorough investigation,” Weiser said in a statement. “Our investigation will be thorough, guided by the facts, and worthy of public trust and confidence in the criminal justice system.

The statement from the Colorado Attorney General’s Office ended by saying there would be no further comment on the case until findings are announced, citing a need to remain impartial.

[SOURCE DENVER POST]