Barb Clementi is a Colorado Democrat who grew up with parents that were educators and union founders, graduated from public schools, and spent 30 years teaching middle school students in Pueblo District 60. She became known as a master teacher and facilitator who could focus the energy of a classroom, build trust, and help young people succeed.

Barb holds a bachelor’s degree in English education, a paralegal certificate, and a master’s degree in educational technology. Her additional training spans leadership, coaching, facilitation, consensus building, and organizational development. Throughout her career, she has introduced new approaches, from project-based assessment to district-wide organizational development, while keeping students and educators at the center.

As a teacher leader, Barb was elected to local, state, and national association boards. She represented Colorado on the National Education Association Board of Directors, where she held leadership roles and traveled the state to hear directly from educators and communities.

After retiring from the classroom, Barb served two terms on the Pueblo District 60 Board of Education, including two years as vice president and two years as president. During her board service, the district passed a bond measure and replaced five aging schools. The work was informed by community input and designed to improve safety, belonging, and student confidence.

Barb later represented her district with the Colorado Association of School Boards and served on its legislative advisory committee, deepening her knowledge of school finance and district budgets. As CASB president, she led a historic revision of the association’s bylaws so rural and urban districts would have an equal voice and equal influence in the organization’s work.