Shelby Gonzales-Parker

Biography

Shelby’s life was headed in a dangerous direction in middle school.  Fortunately a remarkable teacher connected with her.  Seeking a school that fit her culture and her voracious desire to learn, she attended four different schools before graduating from Denver Justice High School as their first Valedictorian in 2010.  She is a single mom and is a student Metropolitan State University where her career goal is to be a teacher. She was the sole student representative on the State Council of Educator Effectiveness appointed by Bill Ritter from 2010 to 2012.  She is the Co-Training Director at Project VOYCE (Voices of Youth Changing Education,) which is a non-profit in Denver dedicated to creating new leaders and utilizing their voices to create change on all levels.