Family Engagement: The Foundation for a Strong School Year

Dr. Alex Marrero has served as Superintendent of Denver Public Schools since spring 2021. He oversees Colorado’s largest school district. Under his leadership, the district has achieved its highest-ever graduation rate and has successfully moved 12 schools off the State Accountability Clock. He established the Latine Education Advisory Council to enhance educational outcomes with Latino/Hispanic students and has opened six community hubs. He has received Superintendent of the Year by District Administration Leadership Institute and was named a “Superintendent to Watch” in both 2022 and 2023. He is President-Elect of the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents and a member of the Homeland Security Academic Partnership Council.

This is my 23rd year serving as an educator in the Broward County Public Schools system. Prior to becoming principal, I had many leadership experiences including, Adjunct Professor, Intern Principal, Assistant Principal, curriculum specialist, literacy and math coach, elementary, middle, and high school teacher. I will always be a teacher at heart. My educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Arts and Humanities (Education) and Elementary Education, Florida Atlantic University, a Master of Education in Innovative Mathematics, Nova Southeastern University, two specialist degrees, Educational Leadership and Curriculum and Teaching , and a Doctorate of Reading Education, Nova Southeastern University. My certifications include Elementary Education (K-6), ESOL (K-12), Natural Nurturer, and Reading Endorsement (K-12). I intend to be an example to all showing them that we are all lifelong learners.

I am blessed to be the auntie/mother of a beautiful young lady by the name of Tybria R. Cooper.She is the love of my life. I had the opportunity to assist my parents, sister, and brother with raising her to become a fine young lady. I am a daughter to two beautiful parents, Mr. Tyrone Cooper and Mrs. Alberta Cooper, who I still have the opportunity to eat dinner with at least 3-4 times per week. I am fiancé to the wonderful Mr. TJ Austin.

I share these personal aspects of my life to show you that I am family oriented and promote family engagement on my campus and in my community.

It is an absolute pleasure to lead as the proud principal of Sensational Sea Castle Elementary. My teachers, scholars, staff, and parents are extremely talented individuals!My goal is to continue to provide a supportive climate and culture at Sensational Sea Castle Elementary that is conducive to teaching and learning. By doing so, each individual scholar and teacher can experience growth to their highest potential. I look forward to interacting with this new prestigious PTA initiative to learn more and provide more of my expertise.

Carrie Richardson is a 4th and 5th grade Newcomer teacher at Denver Public Schools. Richardson believes in her students’ abilities to learn and succeed. She infuses her classroom with joy by developing authentic relationships with each of her students and their families through frequent communication and participation in the Parent Teacher Home Visit Program. Richardson ensures that her Newcomer students access grade-level content by expertly providing differentiated linguistic and academic scaffolds.

Richardson has facilitated professional development at all levels, including school, district, state, and national audiences. Her expertise includes linguistically affirming pedagogy, building trust and rapport with immigrant families, and trauma-informed practices.

Richardson holds a Bachelor of Arts in English (University of Colorado, Boulder) and was the Outstanding Graduate when she earned a Master of Arts in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education (University of Colorado, Denver).

Amanda Neitzel is an assistant research scientist at the Center for Research and Reform in Education (CRRE). She has expertise on school-based health interventions, literacy, meta-analysis, data management, and quantitative research design. While at the CRRE, she has worked on evaluations of school-based vision programs with an emphasis on issues of implementation. She has also conducted multiple systematic reviews, including reviews of elementary literacy as well as educational programs for struggling readers. Prior to pursuing her PhD, Amanda was an elementary school teacher in a traditional public school and also served in the Peace Corps.