Last Thursday, we held our first-ever virtual event: Together We Bloom. Thanks to our staff, a dedicated committee, and some great volunteers, we were able to execute an exciting virtual celebration. Although we couldn’t be in person, it truly felt like the community came together that night, and we’re so grateful to everyone who joined us.

Thanks to you, we were able to raise nearly $240,000 in support of BVSD students!

We were inspired to see the community unite in such a huge way, sharing our commitment to ensuring that as this new school year unfolds, every student is fully equipped and prepared to learn, whether in school buildings or from home.

That community support extended into the event itself. All of our musical performances and demonstrations for the evening had a connection to the community. Whether alum, parents, or residents, each is proud to support BVSD, and this support expanded across our silent auction items—each donated by members of the community, supporting local businesses. It was motivating to see everyone come together in a meaningful way.

Highlights from the evening

From Face Vocal Band and Hazel Miller, to Ultalowfi and Gasoline Lollipops, we heard from many attendees that they just might have found a new favorite band. And we can’t forget, Colorado Springs-grown OneRepublic closing out the night! 

Along the way we had a delicious pasta demo and even a tasty drink demo you could follow along with at home if you had purchased the mixology add-on package. Executive Director Allison Billings and our amazing emcee, John Tayer, President and CEO of the Boulder Chamber, shared a bit about what we’ve been up to at IoE and why our work is more crucial now than ever. We shared a video to further clarify how the COVID crisis has affected our community specifically and the action IoE has taken to help alleviate the burden on our most impacted families.

Your contribution to our work is what makes it all possible. Whether donating, spreading the word to friends and family, or just taking the time to learn more about us, we can’t thank you enough for your support. As the event theme, Together We Bloom, suggests–when we work together and support one another, our community emerges even stronger! Although this school year will be unlike any other we’ve seen, we’ll get through it together.

Amidst the many challenges facing our community right now, we are excited to share good news about a virtual celebration we held on May 7 during Teacher Appreciation Week. We had the joy of honoring seven BVSD early career teachers and recognizing one first-year teacher as our inaugural Imogene Maxon Early Career Teacher award (IMA) winner! We originally intended to recognize and award these educators in person during our annual Impact Awards event in March, but we rescheduled the event for September, when we will honor them all in person with our Impact Award winners.

Earlier this year, we received a bequest from the family of Imogene Maxon, a lifelong educator who taught in BVSD, in the form of 5% of her estate. Imogene believed strongly in the impact of teachers who spend a lifetime honing instruction and learning practices and positively impacting countless students within the classroom.

Our seven nominees were chosen for their commitment to the teaching profession, and for embodying a passion and stamina that reflects one of a veteran educator. The nominees represent Boulder High, Emerald Elementary, University Hill Elementary, Eldorado K-8, Transitions Center, Manhattan Middle, and Nederland Middle/Senior.

Congratulations to Emily Trujillo

Our first-ever IMA winner, Emily Trujillo, is a kindergarten teacher at Emerald Elementary and a BVSD graduate. Announced by BVSD Board of Education President Tina Marquis, Emily stood out with her wise-beyond-her-years demeanor, natural leadership, and dedication to individual students. She is dedicated to showing students how they can be represented in their teachers.

The virtual celebration included all of the award nominees, their principals, BVSD Board of Education members, and BVSD administrative leaders, and was broadcast on BV22 simultaneously. We encourage the community to watch the video and celebrate our BVSD educators! 

Thanks to the Maxon bequest, each nominee and the winner was given a monetary award.

Impact on Education is proud to announce Sue Taddeucci as the recipient of the 2020 Blake Peterson Lifetime Achievement Award. Sue is a Special Education Multi-Intensive Learning Center Teacher at Southern Hills Middle School.

Sue exemplifies what Blake Peterson valued most in educators, an extraordinary heart for the students she works with. This commitment is best exemplified by how she individualizes her approach to working with each student’s needs and strengths to optimize their potential. Her endless enthusiasm in working with families, pioneering new teaching approaches, facilitating the groundbreaking peer tutoring program, and mentoring an incredible number of educators in special education, has changed the lives of countless individuals in our district and throughout the state.

Sue has served the BVSD community since 2007 when she joined the Creekside Elementary preschool program. She’s been catalyzing and innovating within the Special Education department at Southern Hills Middle since 2010, and building a norm of inclusivity in the process. Her tireless dedication to partnering with all of the positive influences and roles in a student’s life – parents, caregivers, families, student classmates, paraeducators, colleagues, district administrators – with only the goal of that student’s growth as the focus had led to progression and learning that is truly transformative. 

Equally important, her sphere of positive impact extends beyond her classroom walls and BVSD. Sue drives a Peer Tutoring Program that caught the eyes of the Colorado Department of Education, and her energetic, inclusive teaching style is a positive model for special education teachers and programs across the state. 

Thank you, Sue, for bringing out the best in your students and in all those around you!

Click here to read an article about the 2020 Blake Peterson Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, Sue Taddeucci, in the Daily Camera.

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