Elvina Htoo
Elvina Htoo
Delegate for Colorado
Resettled Refugee from Myanmar
Elvina Htoo is the Refugee Congress delegate for Colorado.
At the age of seven, Elvina’s village went up in flames at the hands of Myanmar's notorious brutal military. This forced her to flee the genocide by hiding in the jungle for weeks. In order to survive the onslaught, she made her way to a refugee camp. She spent her entire childhood in a refugee camp in Thailand and resettled in Colorado in the late summer of 2008.
With the newfound feeling of physical safety and the possibility of a new future, Elvina recognized the importance of having a positive experience as an English Language Learner and a refugee in education. Immediately, she began serving her new community and standing up for others who shared similar experiences. She has advocated for refugees, immigrants, and asylee students as well as parents in Denver Public Schools for the past 14 years.
Elvina has supported students and families in multiple roles at Place Bridge Academy, the refugee magnet school in Denver. She strives to create a safe and welcoming space for children, youth, and families who have been affected by displacement caused by war or genocide. Their healing journey starts in a new, safe environment, and it is her goal to have the support they need in the academic setting. Elvina believes that knowledge is power and that knowledge comes through education. She is dedicated to eliminating barriers that may hinder refugee and asylum students in order for them to access quality education. In doing so, they can reach their full potential and thrive here in their new homes.
Currently, Elvina serves the families, students, and teachers at DPS as an Instructional Coach/ Senior Team Lead, Language Content Lead, and the English Language Development (ELD) interventionist. Elvina is also a board member of the Denver Public Schools Asian Education Advisory Council (AEAC). The mission of AEAC is to improve educational opportunities and provide quality education for all students, particularly students of Asian/Pacific Island (AAPI) heritage.
Elvina also volunteers her time in her Karen community as a church pianist, a church secretary for Karen Baptist Church of Denver, and an instructor for Karen Baptist Churches of the United States in Literacy & Culture. She spends additional time training Karen teachers on Classroom Management in Thailand and Myanmar when requested. As well as serving her Karen community, she volunteers with Colorado Asian Pacific United (CAPU) in the education department, where she helps with curriculum development. CAPU strives to enhance and enrich the Asian American and Pacific Islander experiences in Colorado and is committed to advancing racial diversity, solidarity, and equality through collaboration, celebration, and education.
Elvina holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership with Principal Licensure and Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education. She also enjoys hiking, birding, camping, taking nature photographs, traveling to National Parks, and spending time with her family and friends.
In the News:
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