Michelle Quattlebaum

Michelle Quattlebaum

Nonpartisan

Candidate, Denver Public Schools Board of Education District 4

Denver Public Schools Board of Education District 4

Tenure

2021 - Present

Term ends

2025

Years in position

3

Report an officeholder change

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 2, 2021

Next election

November 4, 2025

Education

High school

Denver South High School

Bachelor's

University of Phoenix, 2017

Graduate

Colorado State University, Global Campus, 2020

Personal

Birthplace

Denver, Colo.

Religion

Christian

Profession

Nonprofit professional

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Michelle Quattlebaum is a member of the Denver Board of Education in Colorado, representing District 4. She assumed office on November 30, 2021. Her current term ends in 2025.

Quattlebaum is running for re-election to the Denver Board of Education to represent District 4 in Colorado. She is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.^[source]

Quattlebaum completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Elections

2025

See also: Denver Public Schools, Colorado, elections (2025)

General election

The general election will occur on November 4, 2025.

General election for Denver Public Schools Board of Education District 4

Incumbent Michelle Quattlebaum, Jeremy Harris, Monica Hunter, and Timiya Jackson are running in the general election for Denver Public Schools Board of Education District 4 on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
		Michelle Quattlebaum (Nonpartisan)
		Jeremy Harris (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Monica Hunter (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Timiya Jackson (Nonpartisan)

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

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2021

See also: Denver Public Schools, Colorado, elections (2021)

General election

General election for Denver Public Schools Board of Education District 4

Michelle Quattlebaum defeated Gene Fashaw and Jose Silva in the general election for Denver Public Schools Board of Education District 4 on November 2, 2021.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Michelle Quattlebaum (Nonpartisan)	43.4	10,955
	Submit photo	Gene Fashaw (Nonpartisan)	41.5	10,482
	Submit photo	Jose Silva (Nonpartisan)	15.1	3,819

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 25,256
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Andrea Mosby Jones (Nonpartisan) (Unofficially withdrew)

Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Michelle Quattlebaum completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Quattlebaum's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am Michelle Quattlebaum, a DPS parent, community leader, and current Board Director for District 4. Under my leadership, DPS reached its highest graduation rate ever, expanded access to rigorous courses, and implemented universal dyslexia screening and the Behavioral and Emotional Screening System (BESS). I am committed to equity, student well-being, and amplifying community voices.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• DPS students are achieving real results. Graduation rates are the highest in history, access to rigorous learning has grown, and universal dyslexia screening ensures students get early support.
• Equity is my guiding principle. Under my leadership, DPS implemented BESS to support behavioral and emotional needs, and I continue to remove barriers that hold students back from advanced opportunities.
• I have delivered for educators and families. Teacher pay has increased by more than 40%, with steps and lanes restored, and I sponsored the community engagement policy to ensure family and community voices are heard.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about educational equity, mental health, early intervention, and community involvement. I championed dyslexia screening, led the implementation of BESS, and sponsored the community engagement policy to lift family and community voices. My focus is on dismantling barriers, expanding opportunities, and ensuring all students graduate prepared for college, career, and life.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

I lead with integrity, transparency, and accountability. Every decision I make as a board member is grounded in equity and community voice.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Core responsibilities for a school board director are to ensure fiscal accountability and hold the superintendent accountable. This work is accomplished by passing budgets, monitoring outcomes, and engaging the community before policies move forward.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was as a junior counselor at the Community YMCA summer camp. I worked there for the summer and loved being around kids and all the energy of camp life. I’ll never forget two lifeguards, high school seniors, who cheered me on, listened to me, and made me feel like my voice mattered. It was a fun job that also gave me confidence at a young age.

What is the primary job of a school board member in your view?

The job is to ensure every child receives a high-quality education in a safe, supportive environment. I advance this daily through policies that expand access, improve graduation rates, and strengthen mental health supports.

Who are your constituents?

My constituents are Denver’s students, families, educators, and communities. As a sitting board member, I meet with all of these groups to ensure their voices shape district policy.

How would you support the diverse needs of your district’s students, faculty, staff, and community?

Through my leadership, DPS has implemented universal dyslexia screening, adopted BESS to support behavioral and emotional health, and increased teacher pay by more than 40% with restored steps and lanes. These efforts are showing results; under-estimated students are achieving average gains of 5%, with the Colorado Department of Education reporting a 9% increase. Equity and mental health remain at the center of every decision I make.

How will you build relationships with members of the broader community? Which groups, organizations, stakeholders will you specifically target?

I sponsored the community engagement policy to ensure that voices are integral to the process, not an afterthought. I continue meeting with students, families, unions, faith leaders, nonprofits, and chambers of commerce to strengthen partnerships and ensure all voices are heard in district decision-making.

What constitutes good teaching? How will you measure this? How will you support advanced teaching approaches?

I recognize good teaching as instruction that inspires and adapts to student needs. I support this now through professional development, mentoring, and policies that promote project-based and culturally responsive learning.

What strategies or plans would you advance to ensure the schools are properly funded?

I advocate for fair state funding, push for transparency in budgets, and prioritize dollars for classrooms, students, and educators. We also need honest conversations about the impact of TABOR on education funding, and I will partner with legislators and community advocates to address these barriers so schools have the resources every student deserves.

What principles drive your policies for safety in schools?

Safety encompasses both physical security and emotional well-being. Under my leadership, DPS implemented the Behavioral and Emotional Screening System (BESS) and expanded school-based mental health supports to identify needs early and intervene quickly. My policies are driven by equity and prevention, ensuring every student and educator feels safe, supported, and ready to learn.

How might you support the mental health needs of students/faculty/staff?

Through my leadership, DPS implemented the Behavioral and Emotional Screening System (BESS) and expanded school-based supports to identify and respond to needs early. I also secured funding for staff and students to receive Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) 3-year certification, building a culture where mental health is prioritized, stigma is reduced, and resources are accessible for both students and educators.

What existing district policies would you like to change, or what new policies would you like to implement?

I have implemented early intervention policies, such as universal dyslexia screening and BESS, and sponsored the community engagement policy to ensure families have an authentic voice. I continue working to expand access to advanced coursework and strengthen transparency. I also co-sponsored the school boundaries policy and am leading efforts to update the district’s Ends Statements so they better reflect equity, achievement, and community priorities.

Describe your ideal learning environment for students.

My ideal learning environment is safe, inclusive, and rigorous, where every student feels seen, supported, and challenged. I believe in a culturally grounded curriculum that helps educators recognize the brilliance in every child. This vision led me to recommend the Black Student Success program, which has expanded into the Latinx Student Success program. These programs also provide intentional support to educators, resulting in several Blue Ribbon teachers. Together, these efforts ensure that all students are achieving and prepared for their future.

What will you do to build a relationship with parents in the district?

I currently host listening sessions, visit schools, and make myself accessible. Parents know I will hear them, advocate for them, and ensure their concerns reach the board table.

What are your preferred strategies for faculty, staff, and administration recruitment?

I prioritize recruiting diverse educators by building pipelines from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs). Retention is equally essential, which is why I secured funding to expand national professional development opportunities and support the work of the Office of Talent. Combined with increased teacher pay and safer workplaces, these strategies ensure we recruit and retain educators who reflect and serve our students well.

Are there any areas of school curriculum you would like to see changed?

I continue to expand access to advanced courses, career pathways, and culturally relevant curriculum that reflects the diversity of our students, ensuring under-estimated students have equitable access to these opportunities. All of our curriculum is now grounded in the Science of Reading and streamlined across grade levels and schools to provide learning consistency and stronger outcomes for every student.

What role should artificial intelligence have in your school district?

AI is shaping the future, and our students must be prepared to thrive in a world where these tools are part of daily life. In DPS, AI is responsible for enhancing learning, expanding access, and supporting educators, not replacing them. I support clear policies that safeguard student privacy, promote equity, and ensure AI is integrated in ways that honor innovation while protecting our community.

Candidates hear many personal stories from voters. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching or memorable?

When we believe in under-estimated students and give them the proper support, they prove what is possible. I encouraged one student facing setbacks to stay the course. Through their own hard work, they not only graduated on time but also completed multiple years of coursework in a single semester and excelled on state testing. Their success is proof that our students’ brilliance shines when we refuse to give up on them.

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

Of all my accomplishments, I am most proud of raising three kind, resilient adults who believe in giving back to their community and want to leave the world a better place. Being their mother has shaped how I lead as a school board member. I understand the hopes, dreams, and struggles that families bring to our schools because I’ve lived them. My children remind me daily why I fight for equity, opportunity, and strong schools for every student in Denver.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2021

Michelle Quattlebaum did not complete Ballotpedia's 2021 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign website

Quattlebaum's campaign website stated the following:

“	Student Safety We must remain focused on advancing physical, emotional, social, cultural, and intellectual spaces for students. Every student should feel safe and welcomed the moment they enroll in Denver Public Schools. For Michelle this means advancing physical, emotional, social, cultural and intellectual spaces for students. In order to make that happen we need to put resources in place to support our educators, increase mental health supports, and ensure that every community is able to have their needs met with wrap-around services. Access to Resources All students regardless of social and economic backgrounds must have access to resources in Denver Public Schools. We want every student to have the same opportunities for college and career readiness, sports, and well rounded electives. But before we rise the tide, we need to ensure all students have a boat. All students must have access to post secondary readiness opportunities. Michelle will prioritize equity in our education system by supporting universal meal programs, ensuring that every student has access to the technology they need in the classroom and at home, and partnering across governmental lines to see that families and educators have the support they need. Authentic Community Partnership We must engage in authentic partnership with students, teachers, families, and community partners. It took Michelle six years to change the systems at George Washington and create an inclusive International Baccalaureate (IB) program for ALL students. She spent those six years building a coalition of students, educators, families, and community partners. This took having authentic conversations, genuine listening, and true collaboration. Michelle will continue these guiding principles advocating for all children in Denver Public Schools. Now as an educator Michelle advocates for families that did not have the same resources she did. Diverse Staff Recruitment, Support, & Retention When we hire our educators we must ensure that our applicants are diverse like our current student population. This means working with our unions and various community organizations to recruit more Black, Brown, and Indigenous educators. Then we must do our part as a district to ensure that ALL educators are paid a true living wage. Did you know that the majority of our para-educators are people of color, however over seventy five percent of our in classroom teachers are white? Michelle’s experience of building diverse coalitions will help guide her as a School Board member to ensure that diversity is always the focal point when we go out into our communities to search for the best educators for our students. Finally we must create an environment where our educators want to return each year to continue this hard work. This means we must re-evaluate how our educators are graded on their performance, because LEAP is a broken system. Michelle is ready to begin working on these issues on day one.	”
—Michelle for Denver Kids

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