Every day across Denver Public Schools, educators and school staff help students feel connected, cared for, and ready to learn. This Teacher Appreciation Week, Denver Public Schools Foundation is celebrating the people who make that possible—in the classroom, across school communities, and in the moments when students and families need support most.
At Munroe Elementary School and Denver Justice High School, that care is reflected through the work of Norma Garfio-Saenz and Esperansa “Espi” Chavez.
Meeting Needs Beyond the Classroom
Norma Garfio-Saenz | Family Liaison, Munroe Elementary School
At Munroe Elementary School, families know there is a place they can turn when they need support.
For many, that person is Norma Garfio-Saenz.
As a Family and Community Liaison, Norma works closely with students, parents, and a dedicated network of parent volunteers to connect families with the resources they need and help make those resources feel accessible, trusted, and rooted in care.
Her role takes many forms. At the center of it is El Mercadito de Munroe, the school’s community resource hub that Norma helps lead, where families can access essentials like fresh food, clothing, household goods, and personal hygiene items.
When families at Munroe were facing urgent food needs, Norma helped turn support from the Denver Public Schools Foundation’s Food Security Fund into immediate, school-based action. Through gift cards and targeted funding, she led the planning and distribution of grocery assistance, identifying families with care, communicating with dignity, and making sure families received help when they needed it most.
That work helped put meals on tables and gave families added stability during a critical time.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when access to resources became more limited, Norma and her team adapted quickly, picking up food from local food banks and organizing distribution events so families could continue receiving essential items.
“During these difficult times, we were able to still connect with our families and support one of their greatest needs–to obtain food.”
Norma also helps families build skills and access long-term resources. Through English as a Second Language and technology classes, as well as partnerships with community organizations, she helps strengthen family connection, stability, and belonging.
“I hope that in the future our students can remember that there was a place in their school where they and/or their parents could always find the support they needed and that it made them feel safe.”
Showing Up for Students and Families
Esperansa “Espi” Chavez | Community Engagement Director, Denver Justice High School
At Denver Justice High School, Esperansa “Espi” Chavez works at the intersection of student support, family engagement, and school attendance. As Community Engagement Director, she helps remove barriers that can prevent students from showing up, staying connected, and fully participating in school.
Her approach is grounded in relationships. By listening closely to students and families, Espi is able to recognize challenges early and respond with care. That steady presence helps create a school community where students feel welcomed and supported.
When students and families at Denver Justice High School were experiencing food insecurity, Espi helped turn support from the Denver Public Schools Foundation’s Food Security Fund into immediate action. After an initial round of grocery gift cards reached a group of families, she recognized the need and worked to increase that effort.
“I saw that the need of our students and their families was greater, and worked to expand that support to reach more families.”
Her leadership extends through strong community partnerships that help families access food throughout the school year, including during school breaks when resources can be more limited.
Her care also shows up in everyday moments, often without recognition, but always with intention.
“There are moments where I end up giving my own breakfast or lunch to students I interact with each day, making sure our kids have what they need.”
Through these efforts, Espi helps build the kind of school community where students feel cared for, supported, and like they truly belong.
“I love working with students! My favorite is supporting them in figuring out who they are and how they want to navigate the world– true self-actualization”
Norma and Espi’s work is a reminder that educators and school staff help shape student success in ways that are not always visible, but deeply felt. They build trust, respond to real needs, and create the conditions that help students feel supported at school.
This Teacher Appreciation Week, we celebrate Norma, Espi, and the educators and school staff across Denver Public Schools whose care, compassion, and commitment make a difference for students, families, and school communities every day.
To learn more about how DPS Foundation supports educators, visit https://dpsfoundation.org/what-we-support/educators/#how-we-support.
