Why Todd Albrecht for Cañon City School Board?
Cañon City has enjoyed a truly stellar succession of School Board members who operated with integrity and a sincere love of what is best for kids. Sometimes, when you are living in the middle of a situation or circumstance, it is really difficult to recognize what makes those circumstances truly exceptional. Oh, how we have been blessed! I would absolutely consider it an honor to follow in their footsteps and can promise without a doubt that I would do my best to live up the standards that previous board members have set.
I came to Cañon City from the outside, so I had my eyes wide open when I first arrived. Some might say every new teacher has their eyes wide open, but there were characteristics about the Cañon City Community and its schools that really stood out to me. I’ve mentioned before how exceptional I found the students and my future colleagues in the district, but what I haven’t fully addressed is the almost unbelievably supportive relationship that the Teachers Association, the Schools and District Administrations, and the Cañon City School Board Members—have enjoyed and counted on through the good times and celebrations as well as the disappointments and extremely challenging circumstances.
I have been here through many, many changes in leadership, both at a building and district level, and I have worked closely with many, many school board members over my career. I can say, that even in the most difficult circumstances, when decisions had to be made where everyone lost a little, the level of respect and care given and shown by all parties was extraordinary. Have there been occasional exceptions, probably; but as a rule, all parties involved in caring for the safety and education of our kids have cultivated and maintained these relationships with care and understanding of their importance. I came here and knew that was indeed exceptional! Anyone who desires to do any research at all about how school boards function in other communities will soon see just how blessed we have been and continue to be. Of that, I am sure!
At the center of that incredible work, the focus was always centered on the relationships of all involved—on developing relationships of trust and respect in not only what we do, but in how we do it. I understand that concept! I do my best to live that concept every day. Building and strengthening relationships has been at the core of everything I have done since I have been here in Cañon City, and I would like to take my passion and care for maintaining these relationships to a new platform—a seat on the Cañon City School Board.
One of the things I am most proud of during my time at CCHS, aside from my program, was my role as Co-Chair of the Solutions committee. Times were difficult at the high school for a number of reasons. We were in the middle of a new building being constructed, there was a problem with attendance and discipline, and teacher morale was dipping in different areas of the building. My colleague and I recognized the need for a positive approach before the negativity affected us all. We formed a committee with new rules-a committee where problems could be presented to the group. If the presenter didn’t have a solution to propose, the topic was given to the group to come up with possible solutions. There would be no war stories, or long list of complaints; we were there to solve problems. We specifically reached out to those whom we knew had been voicing their concerns to members of the staff. We wanted those with issues to be at the table. We wanted to hear their concerns, discuss and research possible solutions, and to move those solutions forward gaining staff and administrative support. Our work resulted in a new administrative position, new schedule to allow collaboration-both teacher and administrative driven, and new efforts to build school spirit and increase collegiality. Our positive approach made a difference, and I was proud to serve in that capacity in our high school.
I also took very seriously the responsibility of serving as role models and ambassadors in Cañon City as well as beyond our community, and I did my best to instill that value in my students. I knew very early on that giving back to our community was the best way to gain community support. It would directly affect the future growth of the program and expand opportunities for all kids. What could we offer to the community that supports us so well that is more valuable than ourselves—our performances…our hearts…our JOY?!
My favorite moment in any performance I have every shared with kids is the moment I am back stage watching them perform—seeing them shine bigger than they ever thought they could, having just shared everything they had to offer to an audience, and seeing that audience love them right back. The knowledge, innovation, tenacity, agency, agility, civility and the integrity required to serve in this capacity through generations of students will always be the greatest reward of my career. They will always remember how great that sense of accomplishment felt, and I know these skills will serve them for a life time.
With this election, I am hoping to gain your trust and receive the opportunity to take that positive, problem-solving, relationship-honoring approach to a new role for me—a Cañon City School Board Director. I am so very proud of how our district has managed through many challenging times to not only maintain exceptional and synergistic relationships between all parties involved, but also to remain innovative, creating programs and procedures that serve as examples for others in our state. We have so very much to be proud of here in Cañon City Schools!
The roles that past school board members have played in bringing all this to fruition, although almost always behind the scene, is immeasurable. Their willingness to listen to community members, to immerse themselves in credible research and expert guidance, to weigh each decision carefully and with the best interest of ALL students in mind, and to perhaps most importantly, set aside their own personal agendas and political beliefs is a common thread among the school board members to whom we in Cañon City owe so much! It is incredibly challenging, but it is a challenge I hope to accept on your behalf and represent you all on the Cañon City School Board after the November election. I know how important getting this decision right is to the success of our kids—our schools—and our future!
I would be honored to receive your vote on November 3rd for Cañon School Board.
I came to Cañon City from the outside, so I had my eyes wide open when I first arrived. Some might say every new teacher has their eyes wide open, but there were characteristics about the Cañon City Community and its schools that really stood out to me. I’ve mentioned before how exceptional I found the students and my future colleagues in the district, but what I haven’t fully addressed is the almost unbelievably supportive relationship that the Teachers Association, the Schools and District Administrations, and the Cañon City School Board Members—have enjoyed and counted on through the good times and celebrations as well as the disappointments and extremely challenging circumstances.
I have been here through many, many changes in leadership, both at a building and district level, and I have worked closely with many, many school board members over my career. I can say, that even in the most difficult circumstances, when decisions had to be made where everyone lost a little, the level of respect and care given and shown by all parties was extraordinary. Have there been occasional exceptions, probably; but as a rule, all parties involved in caring for the safety and education of our kids have cultivated and maintained these relationships with care and understanding of their importance. I came here and knew that was indeed exceptional! Anyone who desires to do any research at all about how school boards function in other communities will soon see just how blessed we have been and continue to be. Of that, I am sure!
At the center of that incredible work, the focus was always centered on the relationships of all involved—on developing relationships of trust and respect in not only what we do, but in how we do it. I understand that concept! I do my best to live that concept every day. Building and strengthening relationships has been at the core of everything I have done since I have been here in Cañon City, and I would like to take my passion and care for maintaining these relationships to a new platform—a seat on the Cañon City School Board.
One of the things I am most proud of during my time at CCHS, aside from my program, was my role as Co-Chair of the Solutions committee. Times were difficult at the high school for a number of reasons. We were in the middle of a new building being constructed, there was a problem with attendance and discipline, and teacher morale was dipping in different areas of the building. My colleague and I recognized the need for a positive approach before the negativity affected us all. We formed a committee with new rules-a committee where problems could be presented to the group. If the presenter didn’t have a solution to propose, the topic was given to the group to come up with possible solutions. There would be no war stories, or long list of complaints; we were there to solve problems. We specifically reached out to those whom we knew had been voicing their concerns to members of the staff. We wanted those with issues to be at the table. We wanted to hear their concerns, discuss and research possible solutions, and to move those solutions forward gaining staff and administrative support. Our work resulted in a new administrative position, new schedule to allow collaboration-both teacher and administrative driven, and new efforts to build school spirit and increase collegiality. Our positive approach made a difference, and I was proud to serve in that capacity in our high school.
I also took very seriously the responsibility of serving as role models and ambassadors in Cañon City as well as beyond our community, and I did my best to instill that value in my students. I knew very early on that giving back to our community was the best way to gain community support. It would directly affect the future growth of the program and expand opportunities for all kids. What could we offer to the community that supports us so well that is more valuable than ourselves—our performances…our hearts…our JOY?!
My favorite moment in any performance I have every shared with kids is the moment I am back stage watching them perform—seeing them shine bigger than they ever thought they could, having just shared everything they had to offer to an audience, and seeing that audience love them right back. The knowledge, innovation, tenacity, agency, agility, civility and the integrity required to serve in this capacity through generations of students will always be the greatest reward of my career. They will always remember how great that sense of accomplishment felt, and I know these skills will serve them for a life time.
With this election, I am hoping to gain your trust and receive the opportunity to take that positive, problem-solving, relationship-honoring approach to a new role for me—a Cañon City School Board Director. I am so very proud of how our district has managed through many challenging times to not only maintain exceptional and synergistic relationships between all parties involved, but also to remain innovative, creating programs and procedures that serve as examples for others in our state. We have so very much to be proud of here in Cañon City Schools!
- Our Master Agreements for teachers and classified employees are the envy of countless districts across the state and are a direct result of maintaining the relationships we value in this community.
- Teaching Induction Program for the purpose of recruiting and maintaining high quality teachers!
- Our CCHS Pathways Program is an example for so many other districts!
- Project Based Learning integration throughout all curriculums!
- CAPSTONE program is a model program throughout the state!
- Schools of Choice! Not every student learns the same!
- Grant Acquisitions (during the financial lean times!)
- BEST Grants – 2 Brand New Schools
- One to One devices.
- Early Literacy Grant –
- New Literacy Materials (Journeys)
- Lindamood Bell Resources & Training
- Literacy Coaches
- Social Emotional Learning Grants (SEL)
- K-5 Counselors
- Training & Instructional Materials
- SEL District Coordinator
- BEST Grants – 2 Brand New Schools
- Unprecedented number of college credits earned by CCHS graduates
- Thriving Vocational Programs that are the envy of many parts of our state!
- Incredible Fine Arts (Performance & Visual) throughout our district K-12
- Visual Art, Dramatic Arts, Vocal Music & Instrumental Music Programs K-12 (Including several State Championships!)
- Many College Scholarships offered
- Dynamic Athletic Opportunities for many sports for Boys and Girls!
- Many District, Regional and State Championships throughout many different seasons
- Many College Scholarships and Signings
The roles that past school board members have played in bringing all this to fruition, although almost always behind the scene, is immeasurable. Their willingness to listen to community members, to immerse themselves in credible research and expert guidance, to weigh each decision carefully and with the best interest of ALL students in mind, and to perhaps most importantly, set aside their own personal agendas and political beliefs is a common thread among the school board members to whom we in Cañon City owe so much! It is incredibly challenging, but it is a challenge I hope to accept on your behalf and represent you all on the Cañon City School Board after the November election. I know how important getting this decision right is to the success of our kids—our schools—and our future!
I would be honored to receive your vote on November 3rd for Cañon School Board.