Throughout her academic journey at the 精品SM在线影片 School of Education, Bethany Morton has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to creating inclusive and supportive learning environments for her students, particularly children from marginalized backgrounds. 

A fourth-grade teacher at Colfax Elementary School, Morton has been selected as this year's outstanding STEM Education master鈥檚 graduate for the ways she thoughtfully questions how current practices and policies in math and science education are not yet serving minoritized youth and her support of colleagues and educators seeking more humanizing mathematics education experiences for students.

鈥淏ethany draws upon her expertise in sociology by delving deeply into the history of the subject areas to theorize how they led to inequitable experiences for minoritized youth at a foundational level,鈥� said award nominators and STEM Education Faculty David Webb and Melissa Braaten. 鈥淏ethany understands the constraints imposed upon her as a classroom teacher and factors that contribute to educational injustice.鈥�

Morton鈥檚 capstone project investigated the presence of opportunities for mathematical reasoning and justifications in elementary classrooms, identifying areas for teacher collaboration and professional development to better support educators and student learning. 

Reflecting on her experiences at 精品SM在线影片, Morton said she is grateful for the advocacy in education that was modeled by her professors and encourages new students to embrace authentic learning experiences. 

鈥淒uring challenging times, several professors at 精品SM在线影片 served as advocates for me, demonstrating the importance of supportive teachers who inspire, motivate and empower students,鈥� she said. 鈥淎s I have learned more about the complexities of the education system and issues of injustice and deficit perspective, my professors not only showed the importance of advocacy, but also showed me ways to be an advocate for teachers and students. 

鈥淔rom improving my capacity to support students鈥攕ocially, emotionally, and academically鈥攖o understanding what truly serves students鈥� needs, my experiences at 精品SM在线影片 have equipped me to be an advocate for students and teachers.鈥�

Following graduation, Morton plans to continue her advocacy as an elementary school teacher in Denver Public Schools, while also considering opportunities for leadership roles, further education and international teaching experiences, all driven by her passion for education and equity.

In her words

Please tell us a bit about yourself

  Although I was born in Colorado, I spent most of my life in Georgia. When it was time for college, I wanted to return to Colorado, and when I visited 精品SM在线影片, I immediately knew it was where I wanted to be. While my goals and dreams have always centered around being an elementary school teacher, it was my undergraduate experience at 精品SM在线影片 that strongly influenced my perspective on education and motivations as a future educator. While here, I was inspired to become a culturally responsive teacher, prioritize equity and passionately advocate for students' learning needs. When I finished my undergraduate degree at CU, I knew I wanted to continue in my education. Due to many impactful professors and things learned, I knew I wanted to stay at 精品SM在线影片, a place where I could continue to grow as an educator.

What is one of the most significant lessons from your time at 精品SM在线影片 that you鈥檒l carry with you into the next chapter of your life?

  One of the most significant lessons I have taken away from being a student at 精品SM在线影片, both through my undergraduate and graduate studies, is the importance of being an advocate for my students, myself, and others. My professors and coursework have shed light on the many inequalities embedded in our education system. Yet, they have also shown me the importance of advocacy.  

During challenging times, several professors at 精品SM在线影片 served as advocates for me, demonstrating the importance of supportive teachers who inspire, motivate and empower students. Their mentorship also highlighted the significance of agency in effecting positive change. Furthermore, as I have learned more about the complexities of the education system and issues of injustice and deficit perspective, my professors not only showed the importance of advocacy but also showed me ways to be an advocate for teachers and students. From improving my capacity to support students鈥攕ocially, emotionally, and academically鈥攖o understanding what truly serves students鈥� needs, my experiences at 精品SM在线影片 have equipped me to be an advocate for students and teachers. 

What does graduating from 精品SM在线影片 represent for you or your family/community?

  Personally, graduating with my master鈥檚 from 精品SM在线影片 represents a commitment to being a lifelong learner and to continuing to work towards being the best teacher for my students鈥� and school community. 

What is your best piece of advice for incoming students?

  My advice for new students would be to fully embrace the authentic learning experiences offered within the School of Education. Throughout your coursework, you will encounter numerous opportunities to engage in meaningful and authentic learning experiences. Take advantage of these opportunities as they directly contribute to your growth as a future or current educator and can be used to make a real impact in education. 

What are your next steps after graduation?

  Following graduation, I will continue to be an elementary school teacher in the Denver Public School system, where I am a fourth-grade teacher at Colfax Elementary. Looking ahead, I have many different ideas such as moving into a leadership role, pursuing a PhD, and teaching abroad. However, regardless of the path, education will always be my passion and focus. 

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

鈥淚'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,鈥� 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. 

鈥淚 was able to see the potential for social studies education to empower students to become leaders and changemakers in their communities,鈥� 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. 

鈥淪he embodies the role of teacher leader,鈥� said her nominators, Professor Wendy Glenn and PhD Candidate Chelsea Kent. 鈥淓mma centers equity and justice in her teaching, inviting students to examine how power and privilege have shaped and continue to shape our global society.鈥�

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. 

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

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 精品SM在线影片'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 Boulder and have solidified my love of teaching. I am currently finishing my student teaching experience at Casey Middle School in Boulder, Colorado, and I cannot wait to see what the next chapter holds." 

What is one of the most significant lessons from your time at 精品SM在线影片 that you鈥檒l carry with you into the next chapter of your life?

  One of the most significant lessons from my time at 精品SM在线影片 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 精品SM在线影片 represent for you or your family/community?

  Graduating from 精品SM在线影片 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 精品SM在线影片 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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Yazmine Lynette Pati帽o is passionate about supporting first-generation college students as one herself. 

鈥淚鈥檓 the first in my family to receive a bachelor's and now a master's degree, both of which I could not have accomplished without the unwavering support of my family鈥� she said. 鈥淕raduating from 精品SM在线影片 represents sacrifice, growth, and possibilities for myself and for my family.鈥�

Pati帽o grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, but she was drawn to 精品SM在线影片's scenic location and the School of Education鈥檚 reputation for her master鈥檚 studies.

She has been selected as the 2024 Outstanding Master鈥檚 Graduate for Educational Foundations, Policy and Practice for her academic performance and her 鈥渄iligence, thoughtfulness, and excellence in research鈥� that she demonstrated in her classes as well as during her final capstone project. Pati帽o鈥檚 capstone project involved a thorough interviews exploring the experiences of staff members in pre-collegiate programs designed for first-generation and underrepresented students in higher education and it applied theories of community cultural wealth 鈥� centering students assets from their families, culture and experiences 鈥� and "acompa帽amiento鈥� 鈥� the idea of learning alongside of students.

Pati帽o鈥檚 graduation is only the beginning. She hopes to continue working for the Colorado Department of Education or support first-generation students on college campuses.

In her words

Please tell us a bit about yourself

  I'm originally from the San Francisco Bay Area in California, and I moved to Colorado almost two years ago to attend 精品SM在线影片. After graduating with my bachelor's, I knew I wanted to return to school for my master's but wasn't sure what I wanted to study or where. I've always had a love for education and learning and loved the idea of being a part of others' educational journeys. With that in mind, I chose to pursue a master's degree in education. Both the beautiful location and the great things I had heard about the School of Education at 精品SM在线影片 drew me to apply for the master's in educational foundations, policy and practice.

What is one of the most significant lessons from your time at 精品SM在线影片 that you鈥檒l carry with you into the next chapter of your life?

  You, especially as a student, will never have enough hours in the day to read everything there is to read on a particular subject. And that's okay. It takes many, many years to become an expert, so as long as you continue to learn and read about the subjects that interest you, you will be okay. 

What does graduating from 精品SM在线影片 represent for you or your family/community?

  Graduating from 精品SM在线影片 represents sacrifice, growth, and possibilities for myself and for my family. I'm the first in my family to receive a bachelor's and now a master's degree, both of which I could not have accomplished without the unwavering support of my family, especially when I decided to move away from home to attend 精品SM在线影片. Every educational milestone has also represented the possibilities that are out there for my younger siblings, who now have an older sister to help them through whatever educational pathway they choose to follow. 

What is your best piece of advice for incoming students?

  I would advise incoming students to make time in their schedule to meet with their professors and advisors at least once every semester. They have such a wealth of knowledge not only about the subjects they teach, but about academia in general that is worth tapping into. 

What are your next steps after graduation?

  After graduation, I hope to either continue working for the Colorado Department of Education or work on a college campus supporting first-generation students. 

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Always with an open mind, 精品SM在线影片 graduate Samantha Lane dives into new opportunities and challenges in her life however unexpected they may be. 

Lane decided to major in Leadership and Community Engagement as she was interested in the community-based, hands-on experiences that the major offered, as well as making a difference in educational spaces. 

Her time at 精品SM在线影片, however, started unexpectedly and with challenges during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Yearning to make connections, she found and joined numerous new programs: as a coach for K-12 students in Public Achievement鈥揳 youth led civic engagement that promotes student voice and transformative change鈥�, as a member of the Phi Sigma Pi National Honors Fraternity, as a Learning Assistant for a class she surprisingly loved鈥揥eather and the Atmosphere鈥�, and much more.

鈥淲hen I started CU during the pandemic, my experience was anything but what I had expected it to be,鈥� said Lane. 鈥淎s I begin the next chapter of my life, I will do my best to remember that it's OK if not everything turns out perfectly or how I would expect it to, as there is a lot of beauty among the imperfect and unexpected if you look for it.鈥�

Lane is a 2024 Outstanding Graduate, and her peers in her major describe her as 鈥渁lways the first to volunteer at any leadership opportunity within her group.鈥�  

鈥淪he doesn鈥檛 leave anyone behind and is always so thoughtful about the impact she has on others,鈥� they said.

In her own words

Please tell us a bit about yourself

  I am a Boulder native and have lived in Boulder my entire life (I graduated from Fairview High School). I love Boulder as I love doing outdoor activities such as hiking, biking and skiing, and Boulder is a great place for that! I decided to major in Leadership and Community Engagement because I was interested in making a difference in our education system without going into teaching, and I felt that the Leadership major would be a great way for me to learn more about the education system. I was also really drawn to the major due to the community-based, hands-on experiences that it offers. For example, through the major I have gotten to work with youth outside of traditional classroom settings in many ways, such as through afterschool programs, alternative classes and community organizations. It is through these experiences that I have been able to figure out that I want to have a career working with youth in alternative settings to school.鈥�

What is one of the most significant lessons from your time at 精品SM在线影片 that you鈥檒l carry with you into the next chapter?

  One of the most significant lessons I have learned from CU is that the most wonderful experiences and opportunities often arise in the least expected ways, so it is important to have an open mind, as you never know what amazing opportunities you'll find when you do. Growing up, I always knew that I wanted to go to college, and I always loved to picture what my college life would look like. In fact, in high school, I even picked out many of the student organizations and programs I hoped to join when I got here. However, when I started CU during the pandemic (Fall 2020), my experience was anything but what I had expected it to be. However, I persevered, and in an attempt to meet new people during a year that seemed determined to keep me isolated from others so I wouldn't get sick, I decided to join some organizations I hadn't heard of before college, such as Public Achievement and Phi Sigma Pi National Honors Fraternity. In both of these organizations, I tried my best to be open minded and friendly, which helped these to become two of my favorite communities at 精品SM在线影片, and I made some of my closest friends through these. Another example is my first year I randomly decided to take ATOC 1050 Weather and the Atmosphere to get a natural science credit out of the way, and I ended up loving the class so much I became a Learning Assistant for it for two semesters. Even though it was a very different subject than what I was majoring in, I ended up having a lot of fun and learning a lot of new facts and skills I wasn't even expecting to learn when I first started college! As I begin the next chapter of my life, I will do my best to remember that it's ok if not everything turns out perfectly or how I would expect it to, as there is a lot of beauty among the imperfect and unexpected if you look for it.鈥�

What does graduating from 精品SM在线影片 represent for you and/or your community?

  For me, graduating from 精品SM在线影片 represents strength and resilience. Especially due to starting college during a pandemic, like for everyone in my year.There were a lot of challenges thrown my way. Graduating represents that I, along with my entire graduating class, overcame these challenges, and as such, I give huge kudos to the strength and resilience that everyone in my graduating class has been able to show to get to this point!鈥�

What is your best piece of advice for incoming students?

  My best piece of advice for incoming students is that it's OK if not everything turns out perfectly and if college feels really hard at times. Going into college, I always heard about the fun times that various adults around me had had in college and had heard from others that "college was the best time of their life." When I got to college though, I learned that while there are so many fun parts to college, there are also a lot of parts that are really hard, and sometimes people don't tell you about these parts before you begin your journey. People will talk about the lifelong friends that they made in college (which I did make several lifelong friends through college), but people don't always tell you how stressful it is to manage your classes and a job and your social life all at the same time. So I want to be the one to tell you, your experience is not going to be perfect. It's going to have a lot of ups and downs and sometimes you're going to experience a rollercoaster of emotions. There will be moments where you're going to feel lost and confused. And that's OK! That's normal! Everyone else around you has or will also experience challenges in college too! When you feel overwhelmed or stressed or any other emotion, feel it fully, as these emotions are valid and part of the college experience. It is through these experiences and emotions where you will grow the most. There is so much beauty in the imperfect and unexpected, so you have to have imperfect moments to find this beauty! It is in the moments where life is really hard where you will learn you have a strength that you didn't know you had! It is when you make it through the hardest times when you will feel the most accomplished! So embrace the chaos that is college, and know that every experience and every emotion, whether good or bad, is valid and brings beauty and strength.鈥�

What are your next steps after graduation?

  After graduation, I am moving to San Diego. I will be spending the summer working as a unit leader at the Jewish Community Center summer camp, and I hope to find a career doing program management for either camp or afterschool programs (or for another program focusing on youth learning in alternative spaces).鈥�

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As a proud bilingual educator, Silvia Ortiz exemplifies excellence in teaching, leadership and advocacy for bilingual learners at her school and in her small rural district. Ortiz is a passionate advocate for her mostly Latinx bilingual students as an English Language Development Teacher at Hudson Elementary School in Weld RE-3 School District. 

As a member of the BUENO Center for Multicultural Education鈥檚 Northeast Teacher Cohort, Otriz was able to earn her Master鈥檚 Equity Bilingualism and Biliteracy from the 精品SM在线影片 School of Education by attending courses close to home in Brighton and alongside 20 peer educators across three districts in the rural northeast region of Colorado.

Respected by her colleagues and revered in her community, Ortiz is also a strong bilingual writer and thinker. She completed her Teacher Inquiry Project, the culminating project and report for her master鈥檚 program, bilingually written in Spanish and English where she explored bilingual identities of her young Latinx students through linguistically and culturally responsive children鈥檚 literature. 

For her work as an exemplary educator and graduate student, Ortiz has been selected the 2024 Outstanding Graduate of the Master鈥檚 in Equity, Bilingualism and Biliteracy Program by the faculty in the BUENO Center. However, she has been a member of BUENO Center community since she participated first in the BUENO Career Ladder program in 2005, a partnership between 精品SM在线影片 and Aims Community College, on her pathway to becoming a teacher. Engaging in the master鈥檚 program helped bring Ortiz鈥檚 career, education, and connections with 精品SM在线影片 full circle.

In her own words

Please tell us a bit about yourself

  My journey to 精品SM在线影片 is a unique one. I reside in the Brighton area and teach in a small town in Northeastern Colorado. During my undergraduate program, I had the privilege of participating in the BUENO program through the Career Ladder Program. This experience not only deepened my passion for educational equity but also paved the way for my decision to pursue my master鈥檚 degree through the BUENO program at 精品SM在线影片. The opportunity to return to BUENO now as a graduate student was a clear sign that this was the right path for me."

What is one of the most significant lessons from your time at 精品SM在线影片 that you鈥檒l carry with you into the next chapter?

  I have always considered myself a lifelong learner, and my time at 精品SM在线影片 has satiated my desire to explore new learning and revive my passion for equity for bilingual learners. The most profound and significant lesson I take away from my time at 精品SM在线影片 is this: all of our students come to us with various gifts and talents. It is up to us, educators, to explore such gifts and talents and leverage them to inspire and nurture independent learners and thinkers. By disrupting injustices created by systemic oppression we give our students the opportunities to thrive."

What does graduating from 精品SM在线影片 represent for you and/or your community?

  Graduating from 精品SM在线影片 as a BUENO Center master鈥檚 student is a momentous achievement. 精品SM在线影片 has always been at the forefront of educational equity and advocacy for bilingual students and communities. As a Latina, this accomplishment holds a special place in my heart. It is a testament to my dedication and the support I have received from my community. This honor will undoubtedly enrich my work with my brilliant bilingual students."

What is your best piece of advice for incoming students?

  I believe that one鈥檚 most remarkable ability is the ability to use metacognition. The ability to evaluate, monitor, and apply new teachings to our understanding is essential. A student with the caliber of being a critical thinker and having metacognitive awareness will find success in their endeavors."

What are your next steps after graduation?

  As a lifelong learner, I have enjoyed my time as a student. Now is the time to apply all of what I've learned. My graduate program was robust and rich, with mastery in the field of educational equity. Now is my time to discern how best to apply my newfound knowledge in my specific role. Furthermore, I would like to inspire other educators through my example and leadership."

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