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With more than two decades of distinguished service to the School of Education community under his belt, Derek Briggs embarked on his new role of as Associate Dean of Faculty on Jan. 1. We caught up with Briggs for a conversation about his hopes for the role and to learn more about his passions at work and at play.

As we reflect on 2025 and look ahead to 2026, we in the ���Ҵ�ý�ƽ������ School of Education are grateful for the many moments of joy, recognition, and community this year has brought. Looking forward to building on the opportunities that 2025 presented and making new memories in 2026. 

Teacher leadership doesn’t look the same in every classroom or every community. Learn about how two educators—one from a rural district and another working in a Denver metro suburban district—connecting through the Online Teacher Leadership program and how the program is helping them discover new confidence and clarity in their leadership roles.

The National Academy of Education (NAEd) has announced the election of Kevin Welner, research professor at the University of Colorado Boulder School of Education and director of the National Education Policy Center, to its Board of Directors for a four-year term beginning in November 2025.

The CU Boulder School of Education, in collaboration with the Boulder Bookstore, is thrilled to invite families, teachers, students, librarians—all those who enjoy children’s literature—to the 2025 Children's Book Festival on Saturday, Nov. 8 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Boulder Public Library. Free and open to the public.

This summer, the Teacher Leadership program celebrated its fifth anniversary—a milestone made possible by the dedication of teachers, partners and supporters in Colorado and beyond. Emily Gleason, faculty director of the Online Teacher Leadership program, reflects on how far the program has come and the ongoing need to support teacher leaders.

School of Education faculty and alumni will be featured in two upcoming author events at the Boulder Book Store. Ashley Potvin and Bill Penuel will present their new book, “Creating Compassionate Change in School Communities" on Tuesday, Sept. 9, and Elizabeth J. Meyer will discuss “Queer Justice at School” on Thursday, Oct. 16.

Two doctoral candidates, Jackquelin “Jackie” Bristol and Alexis “Lex” Hunter, have been selected for National Academy of Education/Spencer Dissertation Fellowships, one of the most prestigious honors for emerging education scholars. Bristol explores how teachers' access to affordable housing intersects with race, space and public education. Hunter investigates how youth of color in community organizing spaces view healing as intimately connected to social justice.

As the new Dean of the School of Education, Amanda Haertling Thein recently returned to the ���Ҵ�ý�ƽ������ campus—a homecoming for the alumna. Thein grew up in Colorado and attended ���Ҵ�ý�ƽ������ as an undergraduate. In this Q&A, she reflects on her path from high school teacher to educational researcher and higher education leader and what excites her most about leading the school into its next chapter.

A new initiative from inquiryHub at University of Colorado Boulder, in partnership with the Colorado Department of Education, is offering free professional learning from July through October for K-12 Colorado science teachers interested in learning more about Colorado academic standards.