Meet our Amazing Members

Name: Claire Hagedorn

Role in the district: 5th Grade Teacher at Oak Hill Elementary

Subgroup focus in the group: Policy

Why did you join BWF and what goals do you have for this group? I joined BWF because I care about CCA and I want our district to be a place that is welcoming to everyone. I want it to be a district that others look to as a model of equity and inclusiveness. I want every student, adult, and community member to know and feel that they belong at CCA.

What do you feel you bring to the BWF team? I bring my experience working with many students in our district at the middle school and elementary school level — I have seen places that BWF can, and will, make a change. I also bring the ability to take the BWF message right into the classroom and school.

Name: Darryl & Shawna Moore

Role in the district: Parents of former CCA students

Subgroup focus in the group: Policy

Why did you join BWF and what goals do you have for this group? We joined BWF because of the significant need for CCA to embrace and have strong advocacy for diversity and equity. We want every single student, family and community member to feel valued, welcome, important, and safe, and to be proud of being a part of CCA.

What do you feel you bring to the BWF team? We have been part of the Clear Creek community for 20 years, and have seen both positive growth and expanding areas of opportunity. We are invested in this community and have many ideas on how to simply and quickly move forward to leverage the strengths diversity offers.

Name: Quanda C Hood

Role in the district: Parent

Subgroup focus in the group: Community Engagement

Why did you join BWF and what goals do you have for this group? My goal in life is for all folks to celebrate, love and seek out diversity in each other. Like a box of crayons; some new, some used, some broken but still all coloring. I want my world, my state, my city, my neighborhood and my schools to reflect that. There’s an issue within CCASD but it is not an issue we cannot repair. It is a systemic issue that MUST be eradicated for those that are marginalized, scared, unsupported, persecuted, made fun of or just plain left out. We need everyone at the table. We need all the voices to lift together. Equity, equality and diversity is not a pie to be sliced, it is a pie we each should all have access to; justly, rightfully and fully protected. As a parent in the CCASD, it is not only my responsibility but my duty as a proud Black woman and mother.

What do you feel you bring to the BWF team? I hope to bring a voice that is different for a predominately homogeneous area. It is my intention to servant lead, if need be, in a way that benefits our children. I want to be seen as a person of strong convictions who at the end of the day is a fierce champion of a better way forward to marginalized students in our district. I hope I can bring a unique perspective as a Black woman to express struggles and triumphs of a skin I love but cannot remove and hang up in a closet. It is my wish to bring support and guidance for change.

Name: Lindsay Miles

Role in the district: School-Family Liaison (at the secondary level)

Subgroup focus in the group: Continuing Ed and Student Programming

Why did you join BWF and what goals do you have for this group? The School-Family Liaison role within the district was designed to provide mental and emotional health support to students, families, and faculty. My work experience, background, and education/ training as a licensed independent social worker allows me the opportunity to acknowledge the many factors at play when considering a person's mental and emotional well-being. Adverse experiences and continuous stress greatly impact an individual's ability to function at their best (especially in an academic setting). In order for our district to both proactively and reactively support our community of students, we must ensure that all levels of the system are designed through the lenses of the most vulnerable and marginalized. While I strive to be an ally for our students, families, and staff I can acknowledge that the work must be done systematically. For these reasons, I am honored to be involved with BWF and plan to play an active role at enhancing awareness and understanding of the diverse issues and challenges that face our community while also serving as a change agent to creating the safe and inclusive district that I am confident CCA can be.

What do you feel you bring to the BWF team? A diverse background and systemic lense, empathy, understanding, and a solution-focused mindset.

Name: Amanda Busch

Role in the district: High School Teacher

Subgroup focus in the group: Policy

Why did you join BWF and what goals do you have for this group? I joined this group to make today better than yesterday, and tomorrow better than today.

What do you feel you bring to the BWF team? I bring insight from the day-to-day life within the high school.

Name: Reagan Boeset

Role in the district: Middle School Teacher and parent of 2 Clippers

Subgroup focus in the group:

Why did you join BWF and what goals do you have for this group? I see A Better Way Forward as a way for me to more deeply impact the lives of all my students by continuing to learn and grow in my understanding of equity and anti-racism. Our students deserve someone to be fighting for them; that is what Better Way Forward wants to motivate and support. The work of cultivating true change is hard and we have to team up to be successful.

What do you feel you bring to the BWF team? I think I bring a passion for students that will keep me seeing and searching for what is best for them. I don't shy away from challenges and I feel that will benefit my role in this group. Being a teacher is one of my proudest labels and A Better Way Forward will continue to push me to be better each and every day, because the students are worth it.

Name: My name is Emily O'Sheridan-Tabor

Role in the district: Parent of 2 current and one future CCA students

Subgroup focus in the group: I work with the continuing education and student subgroups and as the group's secretary, focusing on group organization and communication.

Why did you join BWF and what goals do you have for this group? I joined BWF to work to create a more inclusive and anti-racist school community for my family and friends. I believe that communities in which diversity is celebrated and learned from are more prosperous and happy; I want to live and raise a family in a happy and supportive community.

What do you feel you bring to the BWF team?

One of the most important attributes I contribute to this group is my drive for acceptance for all people. From a young age I was taught to accept people for who they were not what they looked like, what languages they spoke, who they loved, or how much money they had. I want to work to institute these as pillars of our community which everyone embraces and embodies.

Name: Jen Mooney

Role in the district: Parent, CCA School Board Member

Subgroup focus in the group: My focus is supporting whatever is needed to make tBWF a meaningful and impactful group for our whole community.

Why did you join BWF and what goals do you have for this group? I joined this group because doing this work will bring forth issues that need both conversation and action. Everyone will benefit from this work, through acknowledgement and personal growth.

What do you feel you bring to the BWF team? I plan to bring my willingness to listen and engage with anyone who wants to have respectful and open-minded conversations, while also making sure we continue to make tangible progress toward complete equity within our district.

Name Shannon Esmann

Role in the district Parent

Subgroup focus in the group Continuing Education

Why you joined BWF and what goals to do have for this group? I joined a Better Way Forward because the group has offered an avenue for conversation and growth opportunities with the school staff, administration and school board to create positive change in the CCA district. My hope is that the work done by a Better Way Forward helps the CCA district to become the best version of itself by each school creating a culture of welcome, inclusiveness and safety for ALL students that attend CCA schools.

What do you feel you bring to the BWF team? I bring high level thinking and ideas as to how we might continue toward progress for the long-term, not just the short term. A Better Way Forward is one small way in which I can be a white ally toward reaching the goal of equity within the district.

Name: Marissa Moore

Role in the district: High School English Teacher

Subgroup focus in the group: Continuing Education

Why did you join BWF and what goals do you have for this group?

I joined BWF because for as long as I can remember, my heart has always been focused on social justice. I stand firm on the belief that this world is for all people and until the voices of those hurting are heard-- I have a lot of work and learning to do.

What do you feel you bring to the BWF team?

As an educator, I feel like I can help bring the voices and stories of my students to light.

Name: Lia Phanthavong

Role in the district: 7th grade social studies teacher

Subgroup focus in the group: Continuing Education

Why did you join BWF and what goals do you have for this group? I joined BWF because equity is important to me, and I want to help make the world a better place! My goal for this group is to have it not be necessary anymore. Until then, we will continue to promote and push equitable policies, practices, and curriculum for our students and community.

What do you feel you bring to the BWF team? I bring tons of care and passion. I also bring my lens and perspective to discussions as a person of color and an educator.

Name: Jamie Bowman

Role in the district: Head Varsity Cheer Coach and Parent of a child in the district

Subgroup focus in the group: Continuing Ed

Why did you join BWF and what goals do you have for this group?

I joined the group because I care deeply about diversity, acceptance, and inclusion. My goal is to collaborate with CCA staff and community to support CCA in the work towards equity for all.

What do you feel you bring to the BWF team?

I bring diversity, creativity, and an open honesty “safe” person for all.