Colorado's Education Landscape: Exploring Diversity and Challenges with Susana Cordova

More Than a Test

In today's episode, we have a very special guest joining us, Susana Cordova. Susana is an accomplished educator and advocate for educational reform, currently serving as the Commissioner of Education of Colorado's public schools. We dive into a wide range of topics, including the significance of treating people with respect during job changes, the importance of building strong foundations in early literacy, and the need for support for children learning English as a second language. Susana also shares her insights on navigating the complexities of being a superintendent and the challenges faced in retaining teachers in Colorado's rapidly changing educational landscape.

Join us as we explore these important issues and gain valuable perspectives from an incredible leader in education. Don't forget to subscribe to our podcast and YouTube channel to stay updated on the latest episodes. Let's dive in!

Timestamps

[00:02:22] Magical return to Denver schools

[00:03:44] Rural districts outnumber large districts in Colorado.

[00:07:48] Different jobs from superintendent, supporting and showcasing.

[00:10:52] Cordova’s job focuses explicitly on policy and politics.

[00:15:45] Strong evidence supports effective educational tools for all kids. Diversity exists within and between political spectrums. Colorado highlights this diversity. The science of reading is crucial for early literacy.

[00:19:28] High schools face diversity challenges and violence.

[00:25:46] Learning from bad experiences. Preparedness pays off in future endeavors.

[00:29:06] Having to cut 250 jobs during a challenging time

[00:31:37] Cordova discusses the difference between working in Denver versus Dallas: the later being larger, fast-paced, text-oriented district

[00:34:25] Building strong foundations for education, while staying engaged.

[00:40:10] Creating complex task forces on issues like assessments and accountability; progress hinging on agreement.

Connect with Susana Cordova

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susana-cordova-1593b85/

Website: https://co.colorado.gov/

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About More Than a Test

Our goal is to take a hard look at the shortcomings in literacy education and tech while still finding a sense of hope in what's possible in education through learning and technology.

Our guests include non-profit leaders, tech CEOs, state and district leadership, research leaders from top institutions, and a few teachers with stories that might bring you to tears.

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0JWhVG2nXZfC3FxOviFoR0

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-than-a-test/id1685012543

Listen on Other Platforms: https://more-than-a-test.captivate.fm/

About Amira Learning

Amira is the world’s first intelligent reading assistant that provides personalized tutoring to students at school, after school, or at home. Students working with Amira experience significant improvements in their reading fluency.

About your Host, Laura Glaab

Laura Glaab is a VP of Strategy at Amira Learning. She is a lifetime educator following behind educator parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.

She's worked as a teacher and leader in public, private, and charter schools in places as far as India and as close to home as Boulder, Colorado. She holds degrees from Stanford, the University of Wyoming, and Kellogg School of Management.

She thinks everyone should read Saint Joan by George Bernard Shaw and the entire Piggie and Elephant Collection by Mo Willems.

Connect with Laura

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-glaab/

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Produced by Old Soul: https://bit.ly/3KuYfrD