Grand Junction, CO – Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet stopped by two Grand Junction elementary schools today, continuing a series of education events that will include school and classroom visits and roundtable discussion with teachers, principals, parents and superintendents in Colorado and across the country to hear local ideas on how to improve public schools.

“One of my favorite things about being a superintendent of schools was getting to hear from students and teachers,” Bennet said. “As Congress takes on the vital issue of education, I can think of no better way to inform the conversion on how to improve public education in this country than by going to schools and classrooms and hearing from those who have to live this policy every day. This is where the real work of improving public education will get done, listening to teachers, students, principals and parents and ensuring that well intended policies don’t create barriers to success.”

Bennet stopped by Clifton Elementary School, which is making progress after receiving a grant to help improve student test performance, and later visited Orchard Elementary School, a 2010 U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Award winner. At both schools, Bennet stopped by classrooms and talked with students and teachers. He also held roundtable discussions with teachers and administrators to hear their ideas on improving public education and how to fix No Child Left Behind to better address the needs of those who work closest to students.  Bennet plans to use the events to kick start conversations about how best to improve public education and to build consensus for reforms that will help revitalize our schools and prepare kids for success. 

The visits are modeled after the approach Bennet took as superintendent of Denver Public Schools, where he scheduled daily meetings with teachers and principals, and members of the community—conversations that helped build consensus and support for the positive reforms he implemented at the district. Bennet believes that the best ideas come from outside of Washington and wants to bring the voices, ideas and aspirations of teachers, principals, parents and students to the U.S. Senate.