Jess Buller selected as Colorado Educator Voice Policy Fellow

0
2039

West Grand K-8 principal, Jess Buller, is currently in his 16th year of education.

The Colorado chapter of America Achieves is pleased to announce that Jess Buller, the elementary and middle school principal in Kremmling, was selected to continue his work with the Colorado Educator Voice Fellowship program as a policy fellow for the 2016-17 school year.

This 10-month, non-profit program is the second of its kind offered in three states by America Achieves. The 10 selected policy fellows from across Colorado work to address key issues in legislation about teaching and learning. The Fellowship is designed to help educators assume leadership roles in their communities and influence education policies at the local, state, and national levels. 

Jess Buller, reflected upon this honor: “I am very honored to be selected as a policy fellow for Colorado. I look forward to narrowing my focus on key issues affecting education and to working with legislators and lobbyists to promote large scale change where necessary.”

Participants in the program will become involved in outreach to the media, local and state government leaders, and parent and community organizations. Fellows are expected to devote an average of up to two hours per week to their “educator voice” activities, most of which focus on various ways to broadcast their in-school expertise to the public. 

“My colleague and I are pushing to add a STEM endorsement to the high school diploma. Colorado is on the cusp of becoming a national leader in STEM-related industry. A diploma endorsement will accelerate that pathway for our future graduates. In conjunction with the diploma endorsement, we also seek to work with Colorado Department of Education and Colorado Department of Higher Education to create a STEM teaching credential.” 

The Fellowship gives participants a greater opportunity to participate in the important educational conversations that are taking place in the public arena on topics such as the instructional shifts to college and career-ready standards. A primary goal of the Fellowship is to help elevate public perception of the teaching profession.

“This is a rare opportunity for dedicated educators who want to improve the learning environment while, at the same time, elevating themselves professionally,” said Lance Hostetter, State Manager for Colorado Educator Voice Fellowship.