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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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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