Susana Córdova named Colorado training commissioner

Susana Córdova has been named Colorado’s subsequent training commissioner.

A Denver native who attended Denver colleges after which rose to be superintendent of the state’s largest college district, Córdova will maintain Colorado’s high training job after stints with the Dallas Unbiased Faculty District and an training nonprofit. 

In an interview, Córdova stated she’s excited to return house. She described the commissioner job as a strong approach “to make an impression on training within the state that made me who I’m.” 

The State Board of Schooling voted unanimously to approve Córdova’s appointment Wednesday. After the vote, board members stood and applauded Córdova. She’ll take her oath of workplace June 26 and earn an annual wage of $300,000. 

Board Chair Rebecca McClellan stated Córdova was “uniquely positioned” to know the challenges going through Colorado colleges and the lived experiences of scholars, academics, and district leaders. 

Outgoing Commissioner Katy Anthes will keep till July 10, with the title of particular assistant to the commissioner. 

“It’s onerous to step away from one thing you’ve put your coronary heart and soul into, but it surely makes it a lot simpler to know I’m turning this over to a seasoned, skilled, form, educated chief,” Anthes stated. “I’m so assured that Susana goes to do great issues.”

Anthes introduced in December that she could be stepping down in July. The board acquired 23 functions. It interviewed six candidates — 4 ladies and two males — and voted unanimously in Could to identify Córdova the only real finalist for the job. 

Córdova was a profession Denver educator, working as a bilingual instructor and principal earlier than becoming a member of the administration and ultimately changing into superintendent. She introduced in November 2020 that she was leaving Denver to take a job as deputy superintendent of main and studying within the Dallas Unbiased Faculty District. Córdova left the Dallas district in August after one other candidate, Stephanie Elizalde, was chosen to interchange retiring Superintendent Michael Hinojosa. 

Since leaving the Dallas district, Córdova has been the superintendent in residence for the training nonprofit Transcend. There, Córdova stated she’s realized extra in regards to the challenges and strengths of small, rural districts in addition to these of city and suburban districts as she leads a community of superintendents.

Córdova stated in her first 100 days, she’ll concentrate on attending to know the training division employees and making herself obtainable to superintendents, the governor, and different leaders. 

Córdova stated the position of commissioner could be very completely different from that of a superintendent. Native management is a deeply held worth in Colorado.  The commissioner can shine a lightweight on optimistic examples, present avenues for districts to be taught from each other, and ensure analysis on how children be taught exhibits up within the classroom, she stated. 

Córdova stated that in some ways her agenda is already set. She needs to proceed Colorado’s efforts to enhance studying instruction, help a brand new initiative to enhance outcomes in math, bolster efforts to put together college students for all times after highschool, and assist districts navigate the expiration of pandemic aid {dollars} and the challenges of declining enrollment. 

Ensuring {dollars} are spent properly to help scholar psychological well being and educational tutoring can be important, she stated. Districts which have employed numerous new employees to help college students will face powerful selections.

In Córdova’s first yr on the job, a activity pressure will take into account adjustments to the varsity accountability system, a course of that can expose fault strains among the many training group.

“We’re at a extremely ultimate cut-off date to take a look at our accountability system,” Córdova stated. “It’s necessary to get a learn on the place children are academically, and I hope that might proceed. Colorado is a pacesetter with its concentrate on progress [over proficiency]. But it surely additionally could be a possibility to take a look at different issues that make a high quality college.” 

Córdova spent a few years overseeing Denver’s efforts to enhance training for English learners. She realized Spanish as an grownup after rising up in an period when its use was closely stigmatized.

Córdova stated she’s happy with the work Colorado has carried out to develop a seal of biliteracy. The seal permits highschool graduates to obtain recognition on their diploma for studying and writing fluently in a language aside from English. She hopes to assist smaller districts with fewer assets higher help college students in studying English and valuing their house languages.

“I at all times begin with fascinated by how we strategy working with college students from an asset-based approach,” she stated. “Crucial factor we are able to do for our multilingual learners is valuing their house language. That may be instruction of their house language or different methods to acknowledge it as an asset.”

Bureau Chief Erica Meltzer covers training coverage and politics and oversees Chalkbeat Colorado’s training protection. Contact Erica at emeltzer@chalkbeat.org.