FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

 

 
 
 
 
Denver Classroom Teachers Association Announces Endorsements 
For Denver Public Schools Board of Education 

 
DENVER (Aug. 2, 2017) – The Denver Classroom Teachers Association (DCTA) 
today announced its candidate endorsements for the Denver Public Schools Board of 
Education election on November 7.  
 
“We have had great discussions with all the candidates, which made for some tough 
decisions,” DCTA President Henry Roman said. “However, these four candidates 
provide the best opportunity for Denver voters to regain control of a school board 
that is currently presiding over an unstable system that is unequal and 
unpredictable to parents and taxpayers alike.” 
 
Representing more than 5,500 educators in the Denver Public School system, DCTA 
is recommending two teachers and two business people for the 2017 Denver school 
board races: 
 
• Jennifer Bacon – District 4 (Northeast Denver – open seat) 
www.BaconForDenverKids.com  
www.facebook.com/BaconforD4 
Bacon is a civil rights attorney who earned her law degree from the 
prestigious College of William & Mary in Virginia. As such, she works closely 
with parents and community groups like Padres Unidos and the NAACP on 
education issues. Bacon is also a former teacher and school administrator 
who understands the issues schools and students face every day. 
 
“Jennifer has been really clear about her vision for Denver schools and it’s a 
vision we share,” said Priscilla Shaw, a music teacher at Hamilton Middle 
School. “Jennifer will invest in teachers as professionals while promoting 
transparency and accountable decision making. She’ll encourage college and 
career readiness and most important, she will work to stabilize our schools.”  
 
Bacon said her discussions with teachers have been very productive.  
 

  
 
 
“We agree that closing schools takes a toll on students, families, teachers, and 
communities. No one wants our children in unsuccessful schools, however, 
the district should be using proactive interventions to prevent school 
closures and improve our schools.”   
 

“Jennifer will be an agent of change on the DPS board and not just a rubber 
stamp for the current status quo,” said DCTA President Henry Roman.  

 
•

•

Sochi Gaytan – District 2 (Southwest Denver – open seat) 
www.xochitlgaytan.com  
Gaytan is a Denver realtor. Unlike her opponent in the District 2 race, Gaytan 
is a DPS graduate as well as the parent of two DPS students. She understands 
the issues and concerns that most impact Southwest Denver students and 
families, making her the obvious choice.  
 
“Gaytan will fight to ensure Southwest Denver gets its fair share of new 
construction bond dollars that are currently being siphoned off to other 
areas,” said Roman. 
 
Dr. Carrie Olson – District 3 (East/Central Denver) 
https://www.facebook.com/Olson4DPS/  
Dr. Olson is a 37-year seasoned teacher in DPS who founded a non-profit 
organization that provides funding for low-income students to travel to 
Washington, D.C. to learn about the country. She has accompanied more than 
600 students on trips since the effort began in 1993. 
 
“Carrie’s commitment to DPS is unquestionable,” Roman said. “Her 
dedication to her students and decades of experience will best serve the 
families of DPS.” 

 
•

 

Robert Speth – At Large 
https://www.facebook.com/SpethForStudents/  
Speth, a former telcom national account manager who now owns a small 
construction company, narrowly lost to Happy Haynes in this same race two 
years ago.  He brings a deep understanding of the dangers of for-profit 
charter schools, which only serve their millionaire owners and not Denver 
families.  
 
“We think Robert’s experience coming so close two years ago will resonate 
with Denver voters and he is another candidate that wants to shake up the 
status quo which is not working for Denver students,” Roman said.  

  
 
About Denver Classroom Teachers Association 
The first teacher’s union to secure a contract west of the Mississippi, DCTA 
represents the 5,635 educators of the Denver Public School system. DCTA believes 
public education is the gateway to opportunity – and that all students have the 
human and civil right to a quality public education that develops their potential, 
independence, and character. For more information, visit www.denverteachers.org.  
 
 
###