Educators from across Colorado participated in a virtual all-member meeting this week, organized by and for members of the Colorado Education Association (CEA). The event, described as the first of its kind, aimed to foster solidarity among educators and provide a platform to discuss challenges facing public schools in the state.
During the meeting, Sam Farnham of the Colorado Springs Education Association (CSEA) spoke about recent labor actions following District 11’s decision to replace a longstanding collective bargaining agreement with a new employee handbook. Farnham recounted how educators responded with organizing efforts despite reports of intimidation from district leaders.
Farnham said, “Sam described the day of action as a powerful validation of months of organizing and outreach, including canvassing for District 11 school board candidates and talking with thousands of community members who expressed deep support for teachers. He shared that he found encouragement in the solidarity shown by other locals across Colorado and even some from other states. Even parents stepped up to organize within their schools despite district restrictions on communication. He also highlighted the community art build, where educators, students, and local artists came together to create banners, parachutes, and red signs for the rally.”
The strike and related actions saw over 10,000 doors knocked on by organizers, with 1,000 joining picket lines and more than 2,000 gathering in Acacia Park to advocate for fair treatment of educators.
A significant portion of the meeting focused on concerns about education reform efforts led by private financial interests. According to participants, these groups use nonprofit organizations or seemingly beneficial initiatives to promote privatization and shift public education funds into private hands. This trend has resulted in fewer resources for classrooms, increased workloads for teachers, and eroded community trust.
Attendees were encouraged to inform their communities about funding issues such as TABOR and privatization efforts. The CEA urged members to use its voter guide when considering candidates in key school board races throughout cities like Loveland, Grand Junction, Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Denver, and Jefferson County.
The meeting also included announcements about upcoming events such as the ACCESS Caucus’s virtual gathering aimed at supporting educators’ well-being.
Future quarterly meetings will continue virtually via Zoom on December 9th, February 10th, and April 14th. For further details or participation information, members can contact Grace Lynch at glynch@coloradoea.org.
