The Colorado Education Association (CEA) has announced the continuation of its Advocacy, Civil Rights, Equity (A.C.E.) Fellowship for the 2025-26 school year. The program is designed to support educators of color by providing opportunities to address challenges they encounter in their professional environments.
Now in its third cycle, the A.C.E. Fellowship aims to increase retention and sustainability among educators of color while promoting advocacy within schools and districts. Participants engage with CEA programming and campaigns, as well as learn about the operations of both CEA and the National Education Association (NEA).
During the 2024-25 fellowship year, activities included monthly meetings, a retreat, workshops led by staff from both organizations, a book study, and participation in CEA’s first Black History Month program. Fellows also attended events such as Lobby Day, Delegate Assembly, and the Summer Leadership Conference. This cycle introduced mentors from previous fellowship classes.
Veronica Wilder, a mentor from Mapleton Education Association for the 2025–26 A.C.E. Fellowship stated: “Representation matters in contributing to a more inclusive and equitable space in our profession, and the A.C.E. Fellowship is a perfect example of that work that needs to be done in achieving this.”
Cohort 1 consists of new fellows representing various education associations across Colorado. Their roles range from classroom teachers at different grade levels to social workers and bus drivers.
Cohort 2 includes returning fellows who will focus on building upon skills developed during their initial year. This group is structured similarly to an independent study course at college level; participants set personal learning goals aimed at deepening leadership and organizing abilities.
Mentorship for each cohort has been adjusted so that mentors are now assigned specifically to either Cohort 1 or Cohort 2. This change allows mentors to provide targeted guidance based on each group’s needs.
The full list of fellows and mentors reflects diverse backgrounds across multiple school districts throughout Colorado.
This announcement was originally published in the Fall 2025 issue of CEAjournal.
