After working for the CU ĚÇĐÄVlogĆĆ˝â°ć Office of Information Technology for six years, Marcus Williams decided to switch careers and enroll in the one-year intensive MA+ Secondary Humanities Teacher Licensure program to become a teacher. 

“As a teacher, Marcus is guided by unwavering commitments to justice and to organizing culturally responsive classrooms that honor youth voice,” said Assistant Professor Sara Staley, one of his award nominators. Staley nominated him for the Outstanding Secondary Humanities Master’s Plus Teacher Licensure Program Graduate award.

For his inquiry capstone project, he explored his and his students’ metacognition skills, asking his students to create literacy goals for themselves and guiding them through executive functioning strategies in order to create a safe and equitable learning environment. As a teacher, Williams believes in critical self-reflection and examining his own biases. 

“Learning is vulnerability; teaching is vulnerability,” said Williams. “If I want my students to be open and honest then I must also be open and honest.”

Williams is also an advocate and believes in paying it forward for future student teachers like him. Earlier this spring, Williams testified at the Colorado State Capitol for a hearing for House Bill 24-1290, which discussed state appropriations for the Student Educator Stipend Program established in 2022 to reduce financial barriers for students completing their clinical practices. At the hearing, he testified on the impact of student stipends on his teaching career. 

“Without this stipend, I would not be here in front of you today, but perhaps more importantly, without this stipend I would not be in the classroom,” said Williams. 

“I am proud to be in a profession where I can serve the young people of my community, happy to wake up every morning knowing I have the opportunity to do this for the rest of my working life, and I am thankful to a state that has given me this chance.”

In the fall, Williams will teach personal finance, intro to business/marketing and creative writing at Niwot High School. 

In his own words

Please tell us a bit about yourself

  I received my English and economics degrees from Virginia Tech and an MFA in creative writing and now, an MA in Curriculum and Instruction from CU ĚÇĐÄVlogĆĆ˝â°ć. I have also worked for CU ĚÇĐÄVlogĆĆ˝â°ć in the Office of Information Technology for the past six years. I've loved penguins ever since I saw them at the Boston Aquarium in second grade, and I hate onions. Most importantly, I own many, many hats.”

What is one of the most significant lessons from your time at CU ĚÇĐÄVlogĆĆ˝â°ć that you’ll carry with you into the next chapter?

  Learning is vulnerability; teaching is vulnerability. If I want my students to be open and honest then I must also be open and honest.”

What is your best piece of advice for incoming students?

  The only life path is the one behind us.”

What are your next steps after graduation?

  I will be teaching Personal Finance, Intro to Business/Marketing, and Creative Writing at Niwot High School.”

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Born and raised in Aurora, Colorado, Hasan Elsayed had a love of math and science from an early age. Now as a math and science teacher, he gets to live his dream of empowering students to pursue their aspirations and achieve success.

Despite initially planning to pursue physics and graduate studies in high-energy physics, Elsayed’s experience as a Learning Assistant for physics courses at CU ĚÇĐÄVlogĆĆ˝â°ć inspired him to pursue a career in education. 

Co-developed by Education Professor Valerie Otero, the Learning Assistant program trains undergraduate students in pedagogical content and inclusive pedagogies, so that they are part of the instructional team—breaking down traditional power structures in higher education.

After two semesters as a Learning Assistant, Elsayed realized his passion for teaching, and he enrolled in the CU Teach Undergraduate Teacher Licensure program, where he has been selected as the program’s 2024 Outstanding Graduate.

“Hasan is a leader in the CU Teach licensure program, and he’s dedicated to teaching STEM for equity and justice,” said Will Lindsay, assistant teaching professor in STEM Education and one of Elsayed’s award nominators. “His caring temperament, kindness and dedication to building authentic relationships with students are uniquely suited to ensuring that all students identify themselves as knowers and doers of STEM.”

Lindsay also noted that Elsayed’s mentor teachers, peers and professional colleagues have praised his ability to plan and facilitate lessons that aligned with state academic standards, and their interactions with him have helped them grow as educators.

Following his student teaching at Centaurus High School in Lafayette, Elsayed was able to secure his first official teaching position at the same school, where he also coaches e-sports and boys’ volleyball. But first, he will celebrate his graduation from the CU ĚÇĐÄVlogĆĆ˝â°ć School of Education with a month-long adventure in Iceland, Germany, Spain, and backpacking through the Dolomites Mountains in Italy.

In his words

Please tell us a bit about yourself

  I was born and raised in Aurora Colorado, the youngest of five siblings. Growing up I always had a love for both math and science. Throughout my education I have come to really appreciate the feeling of struggling through a difficult problem and finally arriving at a solution. Only one thing makes that experience better through, and that is sharing it with another person. I originally planned to attend CU ĚÇĐÄVlogĆĆ˝â°ć to get a degree in physics and set myself up to go to grad school for high energy physics. However, after spending two semesters as an Learning Assistant in the Physics department, I knew I had found my passion. I knew I wanted to go into education. After learning and growing in the School of Education, I landed a job at a great school at ĚÇĐÄVlogĆĆ˝â°ć Valley School District, and I am now living my dream of supporting students to become empowered as individuals so that they can pursue their dreams and achieve their goals. I am extremely grateful to the School of Education and especially my peers and professors who taught me so much! Thank you!

What is one of the most significant lessons from your time at CU ĚÇĐÄVlogĆĆ˝â°ć that you’ll carry with you into the next chapter of your life?

  At CU ĚÇĐÄVlogĆĆ˝â°ć I realized that when we are passionate about something in the way that I am passionate about education, the work that we put into our passions doesn't feel like work. Instead it feels like the right thing to be doing, and a useful expenditure of the limited time we have/share here together. Not only that but when our passions allow us to support others, then, I believe, we are engaging in truly rewarding and fulfilling work that makes a difference in our and others lives.

What does graduating from CU ĚÇĐÄVlogĆĆ˝â°ć represent for you or your family/community?

  Graduating from CU ĚÇĐÄVlogĆĆ˝â°ć means a great deal to me and my family. My mother couldn't be more proud. I feel as though a major chapter in my life has come to a close, and it couldn't be a better end to that chapter. I know that I will take many of the lessons I learned at CU with me for the rest of my life. I also have lifelong friends and colleagues that I have made during my time here. Not only that but by pursuing my passion for education and becoming a classroom teacher, I also think that I have taught my family a lesson about truly considering what we value in life and what we want to spend our time doing. 

What is your best piece of advice for incoming students?

  Read the assigned literature, you will learn a great deal from the insight of great minds. 

What are your next steps after graduation?

  I have been lucky to land a great job at the school I student taught at, and I will be teaching both math and science next year! At my school I coach the e-sports team and the boys volleyball team, and I love doing both! This summer I plan to take a month-long trip to Europe visiting Iceland, Italy, Germany, Spain, and backpacking through the Dolomites! 

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From heliest memories, Emma Hoeschler knew she wanted to be a teacher.    

“I've always been passionate about working with children, but it took me quite a while to decide what type of teacher I wanted to be,” she said.

Hoeschler's teaching focus only began to manifest itself after a pivotal U.S. government class in her senior year provided her with a firsthand experience of the connection that can exist between classroom content and her personal life. 

“I was able to see the potential for social studies education to empower students to become leaders and changemakers in their communities,” she said. 

Fulfilling her dreams of becoming an active changemaker in her community, Hoeschler was a founding member of the School of Education Student Government, creating learning opportunities in the School of Education community for students, staff and faculty. 

Nominated to be the 2024 Outstanding Secondary Humanities Undergraduate Teacher Licensure Program Graduate, Hoeschler has gained much admiration from her mentors. 

“She embodies the role of teacher leader,” said her nominators, Professor Wendy Glenn and PhD Candidate Chelsea Kent. “Emma centers equity and justice in her teaching, inviting students to examine how power and privilege have shaped and continue to shape our global society.”

Poised and ready to start her teaching career, Hoeschler will soon be teaching 7th and 8th grade social studies at Explore K-8 in Thornton, Colorado. 

“I am excited to be taking on a classroom of my own and have the privilege to work with a new group of students,” she said “I cannot wait to see what the next chapter holds.” 

In her own words

Please tell us a bit about yourself

  I'm originally from Denver, Colorado. I've known since before I can remember that I wanted to be a teacher. I've always been passionate about working with children, but it took me quite a while to decide what type of teacher I wanted to be. In my senior year U.S. government class, my teacher tasked my class with finding a problem in our community and proposing a solution for it through the structures of local government. This lesson allowed me to experience firsthand the connection between my personal life and classroom content. I was able to see the potential for social studies education to empower students to become leaders and changemakers in their communities. All of my decisions following this experience have been made to fulfill my end goal of becoming a secondary social studies teacher. I chose to attend CU ĚÇĐÄVlogĆĆ˝â°ć's Teaching Licensure program due to its focus on bridging the gap between school settings and local communities. When students are able to bring their experiences and passions in the classroom space, learning inherently becomes more student-driven and impactful. The past four years have enabled me to experience a variety of social studies classroom settings throughout ĚÇĐÄVlogĆĆ˝â°ć and have solidified my love of teaching. I am currently finishing my student teaching experience at Casey Middle School in ĚÇĐÄVlogĆĆ˝â°ć, Colorado, and I cannot wait to see what the next chapter holds." 

What is one of the most significant lessons from your time at CU ĚÇĐÄVlogĆĆ˝â°ć that you’ll carry with you into the next chapter of your life?

  One of the most significant lessons from my time at CU ĚÇĐÄVlogĆĆ˝â°ć that I will carry with me into the next chapter of my life is that good things take time. Especially throughout college, it's easy to feel rushed and forced to move quickly to finish everything you can. I've learned that it's important to be intentional with my time and that it's okay to spend extra time to produce high quality work. It's hard not to compare yourself to others, but college is the best time to forge your own path and find what works for you. College is full of setbacks and achievements, so recognizing that each step of your journey will take however much time as it takes will give you the peace of mind and persistence to keep moving forward."

What does graduating from CU ĚÇĐÄVlogĆĆ˝â°ć represent for you or your family/community?

  Graduating from CU ĚÇĐÄVlogĆĆ˝â°ć represents a long-held dream of becoming an active changemaker in my community. While I knew that I wanted to be a teacher for years before my senior year of high school, it was difficult for me to find a university setting that upheld my core values. The CU ĚÇĐÄVlogĆĆ˝â°ć School of Education is different from any other secondary licensure program that I have come across. In this program, we go far beyond simply learning how to teach. CU teachers are poised to become real agents for progress in their schools, communities and the education system as a whole. The skills and knowledge that I have developed throughout my time at CU have prepared me to be a teacher who empowers her students to think critically about our world and work to advance our communities for the better."

What is your best piece of advice for incoming students?

  Take time for yourself! Teachers are individuals who give everything they have for their students and their communities, but it's important to recognize that we can't bring our best selves to the table if we're not taking care of ourselves. Learning to balance work life and home life starts in college and developing the skills to draw boundaries is vital. I know I'm biased, but I argue that teaching is one of the most important roles that you can fill for your community. We need teachers who know how to intentionally take time for themselves so they can continue to love to show up for their students for years to come."

What are your next steps after graduation?

  This fall, I have accepted a Social Studies Teaching position in Thornton, Colorado. I will be teaching 7th and 8th grade social studies at Explore PK-8. I am excited to be taking on a classroom of my own and have the privilege to work with a new group of students!"

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Growing up with numerous teachers in her family, Taylor Renquist always knew she wanted to attend CU ĚÇĐÄVlogĆĆ˝â°ć and become a teacher to make an impact on students. After double majoring in Spanish and Mathematics at CU ĚÇĐÄVlogĆĆ˝â°ć, she came back for a one-year intensive in the MA+ Mathematics Teacher Licensure program. 

As part of the first cohort of the program, Renquist did her student teaching at Niwot High School and will continue this fall at the school as a mathematics teacher after graduation. She is the 2024 Outstanding STEM Education and CU Teach MA+ Teacher Licensure Program Graduate. 

“In her student teaching placement at Niwot High School, Taylor has been very attentive to developing a student-centered approach in her teaching, with a focus on raising student voices and developing positive discourse practices within her classroom,” said Assistant Teaching Professor Ian Her Many Horses, one of her award nominators.

“We look forward to working with her as an educator in our community supporting students in ways that value their perspectives, ideas, and interests.”

In her own words

Please tell us a bit about yourself

  I'm from Colorado—born and raised. I kind of always knew that I wanted to attend CU ĚÇĐÄVlogĆĆ˝â°ć and be a teacher. Both of my parents graduated from CU. It is where they met and started dating. So, I grew up surrounded by all things CU. This included going to football games at Folsom, even when the football team was really bad. Thus, when I started looking at colleges, CU was at the top of my list. I completed my undergrad in mathematics and Spanish at CU and now I am in the MA+ program for secondary math education. My mom and many of my family members are teachers. I saw how they impacted students and wanted to do the same.”

What is one of the most significant lessons from your time at CU ĚÇĐÄVlogĆĆ˝â°ć that you’ll carry with you into the next chapter?

  Everything happens for a reason. My freshman year of undergrad, I lived in the dorms and got assigned a random roommate. We hit it off right away and got along really well, which was good because I started college in fall of 2020 and we were together 24/7 in a tiny dorm room. She ended up being my best friend and we still live together four years later. You have no idea who will come into your life or why.”

What is your best piece of advice for incoming students?

  Your college experience may not be what you thought. I started college during Fall 2020, so the majority of my college experience was not normal. Even though my experience was very different than how I thought it would be, I do not have regrets because I learned a lot, met some new friends, and got involved in interesting clubs. 

Another piece of advice, go to office hours and talk to your professors. I am convinced that that is the only reason I have a degree in mathematics.”

What are your next steps after graduation?

  I already have a job to teach at Niwot High School next year. I will be teaching Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II Honors. I am very excited to have my own classroom (and my roommate is very excited to decorate it)!”

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Amalia Kamlet has always had a heart for adventure and science. Her adventures in teaching and in the outdoors as a student at CU ĚÇĐÄVlogĆĆ˝â°ć are only the beginning as her love for adventure literally takes her around the world, starting with an opportunity as a STEM science teacher in Israel this fall.  

Kamlet is an enthusiastic educator whose passion for teaching and science are unparalleled, leading to her selection as the 2022 Outstanding CU Teach Undergraduate Teacher Licensure Program Graduate. 

She joined CU Teach with a mission to help middle school students explore their curiosity about the world through scientific inquiry and a STEM focus. She realized, through her experiences at CU ĚÇĐÄVlogĆĆ˝â°ć that stereotypes played a large role in who was seen and saw themselves as a science learner. As an environmental science major, Kamlet recognizes the importance of a science identity for minoritized youth in order to grapple with today's environmental concerns.

I am so excited to give back to the community that educated me and continue to change the way students see themselves and their work."

Kamlet has strived, throughout her years studying to be an educator, to learn all she could from the people with whom she worked. Mentor teachers, university faculty,  and fellow students would all say that they have benefitted from their experiences working with her, her CU Teach faculty nominators contend.

Her passion and compassion for working with all youth are also apparent in the classroom, and beyond. Kamlet has a contagious sense of humor, which she shares with students as she builds an affirming learning community that is committed to amplifying student voices advocating for their learning. Through her hard work and determination, she has many opportunities and paths from which to choose as she moves past graduation from CU ĚÇĐÄVlogĆĆ˝â°ć, and the CU Teach faculty are proud to welcome her as our colleague in the field of science education, celebrate the exceptional work she has contributed thus far to the profession of teaching, and follow along on her next adventures in Israel and beyond.

In her own words

Please tell us a bit about yourself

  I was lucky enough to have an enriched education with dedicated and motivated teachers who supported me and my journey. I am so lucky and honored to be providing this to my future students.”

What is one of the lessons from your time at CU ĚÇĐÄVlogĆĆ˝â°ć that you’ll carry with you into the next chapter?

  CU ĚÇĐÄVlogĆĆ˝â°ć and specifically the school of education gave me my best friend. She motivates, challenges, and accepts. She makes me a better teacher everyday.”

What does graduating from CU ĚÇĐÄVlogĆĆ˝â°ć represent for you and/or your community?

  I am so excited to give back to the community that educated me and continue to change the way students see themselves and their work.”

What is your best piece of advice for incoming students?

  Best advise I can give incoming students is to be open and adventurous to friends and educational experiences.”

What continues to drive your passion for your work after graduation?

  My friends and family have continues my drive to work hard and my future students challenge me to design and create engaging curriculum.”

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Alexis Harris embodies the School of Education and Humanities Teacher Licensure Program’s commitment to teaching for equity and justice. 

Harris has been named the 2022 Outstanding Graduate in the Secondary Humanities Teacher Licensure Program for the ways she shows up, head and heart, each week and is always open to unlearning and engaging in critical self-reflection.  

My mom likes to call me a "professional student," because I absolutely love learning and could be in the classroom forever if I had the opportunity (in a way, I do!). My passion will continue on because I have a drive for learning, but also because I have felt so fulfilled in my experience so far. Student teaching and the relationships that I formed with students keep me so so excited for the future."

Her faculty nominators contend she has consistently been a stellar student who shows up, and as a classroom educator, Harris is an impeccable planner, remaining mindful of her deeply felt equity aims in each and every learning experience she designs. 

“Her lessons are creative, thoughtful, and grounded in student experiences, interests, and needs,” her nominators state. “Her impressive ability to foster opportunities to build relationships with students in the enactment of these lessons results in the creation of a classroom community in which students are both challenged and nurtured. 

“Alexis has grown into a powerful educator, one who invites students to consider and critique dominant narratives designed to do harm and supports them in building alternatives designed to imagine a new, different, and more just world.” 

 Harris’ humility, passion, and unwavering commitment to young people make her an extraordinary educator and graduate with promising future.

In her own words

Please tell us a bit about yourself​  I'm from Colorado Springs, Colorado. I've wanted to be a teacher since I was in kindergarten! My kindergarten teacher was a huge role model for me and always went beyond the traditional responsibilities of a teacher. As I went through middle and high school, I started exploring what I wanted to do and drifted away from the idea of teaching. I explored anatomy in hopes of becoming a doctor and physics in hopes of becoming an engineer. In those classes, I never really found true passion or joy. But across all of the classes I explored, the one common thread that I found was that I loved getting to tutor other students. Seeing that lightbulb go off when I explain something will always be an awesome experience for me.”

What is one of the lessons from your time at CU ĚÇĐÄVlogĆĆ˝â°ć that you’ll carry with you into the next chapter?

  I have learned so much over the course of my four years at CU, but the biggest thing that I have learned is that learning never ends! My educational experience will not stop when I leave campus, and I want to keep the same sense of curiosity for the world that I have always had. There are always new ideas, perspectives, and lessons to learn, and I will always be searching those out. As my favorite quote form Bill Nye goes, "Everyone you will ever meet knows something that you don't". I want to maintain this in my classroom, and really just my life in general.”

What does graduating from CU ĚÇĐÄVlogĆĆ˝â°ć represent for you and/or your community?

  I am a first generation college student, so it really represents a really cool moment for us. For me, it both signals an end but also a new beginning. It is bittersweet, but I am excited for what's to come.”

What is your best piece of advice for incoming students?

  Form relationships—with new friends, faculty members, professors, experts in the field. Those relationships are what keep you going when you hit hard times in this college experience. You will always have people in your corner, and it is important to rememeber we're not alone in this!”

What continues to drive your passion for your work after graduation?

  My mom likes to call me a "professional student," because I absolutely love learning and could be in the classroom forever if I had the opportunity (in a way, I do!). My passion will continue on because I have a drive for learning, but also because I have felt so fulfilled in my experience so far. Student teaching and the relationships that I formed with students keep me so so excited for the future.”

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Ellen Teags is a committed educator whose innovation around practices such as mindfulness and metacognition are leading the field. 

After receiving a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Oregon State University, Teags various roles at small businesses — from shipping logistics to data analysis to marketing and technical writing — before deciding to return to her “first love” to become a teacher. 

The students' curiosity, goofiness, individuality, passion, intelligence, diversity, challenges, and potential are all what drive me to show up every day and do good work."

She enrolled in the MA plus teacher licensure program in the School of Education with a desire to improve STEM education and work with youth. Teags excellence as a student and educator shines through in her interactions with students, peers, mentors, and instructors. She was a student teacher at Meadowlark Middle School and is working as a science teacher at Fairview High School while finishing her Master’s requirements. 

Teags received the highest possible evaluations from her mentors and supervisors across three intensive practicum placements while obtaining licensure. She has been named the 2022 Outstanding STEM Education and CU Teach Master’s Plus Teacher Licensure Program Graduate by faculty, and they commend her organized, detail-oriented approach and how she is always striving for improvement. She is deeply committed to teaching STEM for equity and justice and helps her students see themselves as knowers and doers of science. 

“Ellen’s drive and determination is balanced by her sharp wit and quick sense of humor, which, according to her mentors and colleagues, has endeared her to her students,” said her nominators. “We are excited to observe and support Ellen’s continued leadership in her classroom, community, and the teaching profession.”

In her own words

Please tell us a bit about yourself

  Originally from California, I lived in Colorado when I was younger before moving to Oregon. I came back to Colorado for my freshman year of college, which I did at CSU, before moving back to Oregon. My original plan was to get an English and Education degree but, for a variety of reasons, I switched to science and put my dreams of teaching on hold. I completed my undergraduate degree in Biology at Oregon State in 2012, taught science in Uganda for 2 months, and struggled to find a sense of home working in Oregon. I moved back to Colorado in 2014 where I met my husband and started my career. I've held various roles at small businesses, doing everything from shipping logistics to data analysis to marketing and technical writing. Eventually I decided to return to my first love and pursue a career change to become a teacher. I wanted to have a sense of purpose, do something tangible, and work with kids. CU was close and highly ranked for its education program, so it was an obvious choice for me. After deferring my acceptance a year, I started my MA + during the height of the COVID pandemic in 2020. Although the pandemic was challenging, I'm so glad I deferred because it allowed me to meet my awesome cohort of fellow educators!”

What is one of the lessons from your time at CU ĚÇĐÄVlogĆĆ˝â°ć that you’ll carry with you into the next chapter?

  I have learned that I am incredibly resilient, highly capable, and equipped with everything I need to keep learning, growing, and becoming the best version of myself. CU gave me great pedagogical foundations, an amazing shift in perspective in terms of social justice work, and some of my best friends.”

What does graduating from CU ĚÇĐÄVlogĆĆ˝â°ć represent for you and/or your community?

  For me it's the culmination of a decade of getting to know myself and figuring out what I want my legacy to be and where I want to put my energy. Ten years ago I graduated with my bachelors and without a sense of purpose. Now, I graduate with my masters, a career I'm excited for, and a strong sense of direction and meaning. I'm also carrying on the legacy of my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins by joining the teaching ranks.”

What is your best piece of advice for incoming students?

  If you let this program, this work, and this time transform you, it will. Lay down your ego, start with humility, and embrace the process.”

What continues to drive your passion for your work after graduation?

  The students. Their curiosity, goofiness, individuality, passion, intelligence, diversity, challenges, and potential are all what drive me to show up every day and do good work.”

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Lauren Gaona’s students are often her best teachers. After teaching in Thailand, her Thai students taught her the true essence of being a teacher is about building trusting relationships and creating a space for everybody to bring their whole, authentic selves into the classroom.

As a teacher, it’s ok to admit what you do not know. I work to build organic relationships with students and make space for them to showcase their expertise in the classroom. This also helps position the classroom as a place where everybody has something to learn from one another.”

That experience also taught her that she wanted to enroll in graduate school to earn a master’s degree and teacher licensure. Gaona applied to the CU ĚÇĐÄVlogĆĆ˝â°ć School of Education because the school’s values mirrored hers.

“I chose to attend CU ĚÇĐÄVlogĆĆ˝â°ć for my master’s because the School of Education’s strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusivity in education aligned with my own vision for what teaching and learning should be,” she said. “I learned here that the pursuit of teaching for equity and social justice will require an enduring open-mindedness throughout my career. I am grateful to my professors in CU Teach for supporting me as a lifelong learner.”

Gaona’s mentor teachers recognized her for her commitments to promoting social justice and remaining inspired and engaged, despite constant change and the challenges of teaching both hybrid and virtually during an unusual school year that was disrupted by a global pandemic. 

“My student teaching semester was an experience I’ll never forget,” she said “In the face of immense adversity during online learning and throughout the pandemic, my students taught me the true meaning of resilience and determination."

“Despite being physically separated online, we built relationships and created a sense of classroom community that reframed my view of what is possible with online education.”

Through it all, Gaona prioritized her students and recognized their unique potential. At the beginning of the semester, she wrote and mailed notes home to parents about the amazing things their children were doing in her classroom, a practice she continued throughout the semester. She also recognized it was OK to be herself and approach teaching and learning with humility.

“As a teacher, it’s ok to admit what you do not know,” she said. “I work to build organic relationships with students and make space for them to showcase their expertise in the classroom. This also helps position the classroom as a place where everybody has something to learn from one another.”

Throughout her time in the classroom — whether it be a CU ĚÇĐÄVlogĆĆ˝â°ć or in a K-12 school or an international locale — she realized that students and communities have many unique things to teach teachers. 

“Working with young people is what drives my passion for teaching — building relationships, learning from them, helping them grow, and providing a context where curiosity can flourish,” she said. “I am so excited to get to know my students and to work with them to create a science learning community that is accessible, relevant, and inclusive for all people. 

“Part of my vision is to broaden what counts as participation in science, so that all students feel they belong as powerful doers of science — inside and outside of the classroom.”

One of Lauren’s greatest lessons:

My student teaching semester was an experience I’ll never forget. In the face of immense adversity during online learning and throughout the pandemic, my students taught me the true meaning of resilience and determination. Despite being physically separated online, we built relationships and created a sense of classroom community that reframed my view of what is possible with online education. My mentor teacher, Kristin McLaurin, exemplified what it means to learn about and support the unique needs of each individual student — she is the kind of mentor I hope to be for my own students in the future."

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