CEI celebrates the power of Colorado teachers!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 15, 2016

Contact Information:
Melissa Reeves
720-502-4756 work
303-856-8098 cell
mreeves@coloradoedinitiative.org

WHAT: The Colorado Education Initiative (CEI) celebrates the power of Colorado teachers!

WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 16 from 7:30 – 8:30 a.m.

WHERE: Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver 80205

CEI Celebrates Innovation in Colorado classrooms at Innovation Breakfast: Connect with the 2017 Colorado Teacher of the Year Sean Wybrant

Denver, Colorado – The Colorado Education Initiative (CEI) knows that when it comes right down to it, the true catalyst to improve and innovate in Colorado schools is the classroom teacher. At CEI, we are committed to supporting inspirational, creative, risk-taking educators in our state’s public schools and we invite you to celebrate innovative educators at CEI’s 2016 Innovation Breakfast.

“We’re thrilled to bring you an opportunity to connect with one of the state’s innovative educators — Colorado’s 2017 Teacher of the Year Sean Wybrant,” said CEI’s Vice President of External Relations Alex Carter.

“He’s from Palmer High School in Colorado Springs School District 11 where he is using computer science and video game development to teach students critical thinking and problem-solving skills.”

Wybrant is a former English literature teacher who transitioned to teaching career and technical education courses. “I noticed pretty quickly that there’s a huge gender gap in terms of who gets to learn about computer science and computer programming and it’s the same for minorities,” he said. “That means you have an entire part of the population whose issues or problems or view of the world is not being represented and we have to empower them in the classroom to take charge of their own learning.”

Wybrant attended a CEI Design Thinking workshop where he pitched his idea of creating Tech Chic, a mentor-based club to inspire more young women to envision themselves working with technology. With CEI’s support through professional learning opportunities, networking workshops, technical assistance, and funding, Wybrant continued to develop his professional practice.

“After working with CEI for a number of years, I have a toolkit now, and it’s changed the way I approach education,” said Wybrant. “It’s led to more empathy building in my classroom; it’s led to more problem solving; it’s led to more critical explorations of content so that we can develop solutions that help other people.”

Plan now to join us for this unique fundraising event that brings leaders of industry and philanthropy to celebrate innovation in classrooms around Colorado.

Wybrant and other educators are talking about partnering with CEI — watch our newest video to hear what they’re saying.

CEI thanks our generous 2016 Innovation Breakfast sponsors:

• Colorado Association of School Boards
• Colorado Association of School Executives
• Denver Museum of Nature & Science
• Amplify
• Christina and David Bluth
• Colorado Business Bank
• Colorado Children’s Campaign
• EKS&H
• John and Monica Skok
• Leroy and Kristi Williams
• Livewell Colorado
• University of Colorado Denver
• Xcel Energy
• ChanceLight™ Behavioral Health, Therapy and Education
• Syntrinsic Investment Counsel, LLC
• University of Denver

About The Colorado Education Initiative

The Colorado Education Initiative is an independent nonprofit working in partnership with the Colorado Department of Education, educators, schools, districts, and other public education stakeholders to accelerate educational improvement and innovation across Colorado. CEI envisions that every student in Colorado is prepared and unafraid to succeed in school, work, and life, and ready to take on the challenges of today, tomorrow, and beyond.