Highlights from 2024: The CU ��«��Ƶ School of Education’s year in review

Hannah Fletcher — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 20:28:47 +0000

Highlights from 2024: The CU ��«��Ƶ School of Education’s year in review Hannah Fletcher Thu, 12/19/2024 - 13:28

As we reflect on 2024 and look ahead to 2025, we in the CU ��«��Ƶ School of Education are grateful for many moments of joy and accomplishments that this year has brought.

Here are a few highlights from the school’s past year, as we look forward to marking new opportunities and milestones in 2025.

Centering and celebrating our students and alumni

This year, our 2024 Outstanding Graduates included a STEM teacher living his dream of empowering students, first-generation students paying it forward, an advocate for rural bilingual learners, an IT professional-turned-educator, and more.
Alumna and mentor teacher, Ash Mattys, earned ��«��Ƶ Valley School’s New Teacher Award, while alumna Sara McIntosh received the Blake Peterson Lifetime Achievement Award, which covers the top honors across the career continuum in ��«��Ƶ Valley.
CU Engage students were named top CU System-wide honors. Fernanda Cerros, a Puksta Scholar and Public Achievement student, received President's DEI Award, and Rain Michael, a Leadership Studies Minor and CU Engage student, was named CU ��«��Ƶ Student Leader of the Year.
The School of Education Student Government co-founders reflected on their leadership and design of an active undergraduate student government for the school.
Doctoral Student Danielle Aguilar received a yearlong Newman Civic Fellowship from Campus Compact.
Alumnus and long-time School of Education partner, Jack Chambers, was awarded the Adams 12 District’s Employee of the Year honor.

Celebrating our leadership, faculty and staff

We welcomed a new interim dean, Fernando Rosario-Ortiz at the beginning of year.
We welcomed back Chancellor Emeritus and new faculty members at the beginning of the new academic year.
Sara Staley and Andrea Dyrness earned the Provost’s Faculty Achievement Awards and Oded Gurantz received tenure at Fall Convocation.
Lorrie Shepard received 2024 Women in Measurement Leadership Award and talked about the ways colleagues made space for her work.
Deena Gumina was honored with the Best Should Teach Award alongside CU colleagues and outstanding educators from the School of Education’s partner school districts.
David Webb received a Fulbright Specialist Award for a project at the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Czech Republic to improve the university’s undergraduate STEM education program through of active learning, student-centered teaching and formative assessment practices.
Bethy Leonardi was selected for 2024 Community Perspectives program, a professional development program for CU ��«��Ƶ faculty members that combines workshops about public and community-engaged scholarship, a listen-and-learn tour of Southeast Colorado, funding and support with partnership and project development.
Joe Polman and co-authors earned “paper of the year” honors from the Journal of the Learning Sciences.
Voices Magazine, the School of Education’s alumni magazine won a Best of District IV Award from the Council of Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).
Students and faculty presented an impressive breadth of research at the American Educational Research Association Meeting in Philadelphia in April.
The School of Education, in collaboration with the ��«��Ƶ Book Store, hosted the 6th Annual Children’s Book Festival in November. Culturally diverse, award-winning authors and illustrators led read alouds, panel discussions and visits to local classroom, where the festival donated more than 500 books to schools, teachers and learners.

Research and community-engagement milestones

The School of Education’s launched a new Education Research Speaker Series featuring the latest research in education from CU ��«��Ƶ scholars and alumni and leading experts from other institutions. The series kicked off the spring semester with professor Mimi Engel and alumna Molly Hamm-Rodríguez, an assistant professor at the University of South Florida and the 2023 School of Education Outstanding Dissertation Research Awardee. Trish Morita-Mullaney, associate professor at Purdue University, visited in October.
Of the four competitive New Frontiers Grants aimed at fostering new, interdisciplinary research directions for CU ��«��Ƶ, two projects, "Empowering Newcomer Students: A Multifaceted Approach to Culturally Sustaining STEAM Education and AI Integration" and "Exposure to and Health Effects of After-wildfire Toxicants (ExHEAT) Consortia," involve education researchers.
The 2024 Teachers of Color and Allies Summit in November featured the theme is “Navigating the Nuanced Narrative of Neutrality” and keynote speaker, alumnus Vincent Basile, associate professor at Colorado State University, who examined federal STEM education policy, revealing cyclical patterns of racial commodification, racial essentialism and differential racialization.
After more than five years of fundraising efforts and renovations, the School of Education celebrated moving into its new campus home: the Ofelia Miramontes and Leonard Baca Education Building with a festive building dedication and community open house in October. We showcased the school’s collaborative new spaces, highlighted influential research, celebrated educators and honored the passionate community that made the project possible. Read more about the event and view photos from the ribbon "ripping" ceremony.

Each year brings its own challenges and opportunities, and yet we were able to accomplish so much in 2024 when we worked together and remained true to our mission.

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Mylie Lanier is committed to making a meaningful difference through personal connections and compassionate teaching

Maddie Rudolph — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 20:19:24 +0000

Mylie Lanier is committed to making a meaningful difference through personal connections and compassionate teaching Maddie Rudolph Wed, 12/04/2024 - 13:19

Maddie Rudolph

Meet Mylie Lanier, a senior at CU ��«��Ƶ majoring in Elementary Education with a passion for education, advocacy, and social impact and the motto 'Live what you love.'

From an early age, Lanier discovered her passion for working with children, which inspired her to spend several years coaching young skiers and tutoring students.

Lanier also worked with Reintegra, a nonprofit organization that empowers survivors of human trafficking through educational and vocational support, helping them reintegrate into society. “I’ve witnessed firsthand the power of trauma-informed care and the impact of focusing on the humanity of individuals,” says Lanier.

This experience underscores a vital truth: real change often begins with individual support.

Diagnosed with learning disabilities in elementary school, Lanier’s second-grade teacher, Ms. Lawson took the time to work with her one-on-one after school. “Her support made a significant impact on my learning and left a lasting impression,” Lanier shares, “It was in that moment that I decided I wanted to be a teacher who, like Ms. Lawson, would provide the guidance and encouragement that every student deserves.”

While traveling and surfing in Central America, Lanier has been able to explore her passion for learning Spanish, a skill she believes is essential to fostering deeper, more humanizing relationships. “Spanish is not just a valuable skill – it is essential to my ability to connect meaningfully with others.”

After graduation, Lanier plans to join the Peace Corps and teach English in Central or South America. Guided by her belief in the transformative power of one-on-one connection, she is determined to create change abroad and locally, one student at a time.

In her own words:

What kind of impact do you think teachers have?

“Teachers have a profound and lasting impact on their students, shaping not only their academic development, but also their personal growth. They have the ability to inspire, encourage, and empower students, fostering a sense of confidence and self-worth, and love for all that extends beyond the classroom. A teacher's support, particularly in moments of struggle, can make all the difference in a student's learning journey, as I personally experienced with my second-grade teacher, Ms. Lawson. Teachers are also crucial in guiding students to become thoughtful, equitable, compassionate individuals who can navigate and contribute to a diverse, beautiful, and complex world. By creating inclusive, safe spaces that honor each student's background and experiences, teachers help cultivate a sense of belonging and respect, and humanizing pedagogy.”

How has your time at CU ��«��Ƶ influenced your decision to pursue education?

“My freshman-year courses helped me understand that teaching involves much more than I initially thought. To be a teacher like Ms. Lawson means being an anti-racist and abolitionist educator, a lifelong learner committed to unlearning and relearning. It’s about recognizing the injustices rooted in our country's history and the schooling system, and having the courage to challenge them. I believe that as educators, we must advocate for those students who are often overlooked and create a classroom that is a safe space for addressing social injustices. We must learn from our mistakes, appreciate each student's background and beliefs, and teach with love and compassion.”

What is something most people don’t know about you?

“I was adopted as a newborn, just 24 hours old, and from the moment I came home, the bond with my parents was immediate, strong, and unconditional. This bond remains central to my life today. I am incredibly fortunate to have been raised in a loving, supportive home that has provided me with a wealth of experiences and opportunities. My parents have always been there for me, nurturing me to be community-minded, ethical, and compassionate. They have instilled in me values and morals that guide my perspective and shape how I engage with the world. I am deeply grateful for their love and support.”

What is your motto?

“As cheesy as this might sound, my motto is: live what you love.”

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The Conversation: What would it mean if President-elect Trump dismantled the US Department of Education?

Hannah Fletcher — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 21:19:35 +0000

The Conversation: What would it mean if President-elect Trump dismantled the US Department of Education? Hannah Fletcher Thu, 11/21/2024 - 14:19

Donald Trump stated during his comeback campaign that he’d dismantle the education department if elected. CU ��«��Ƶ education policy expert Kevin Welner weighs in on the past and potential future of the Department of Education in this piece in The Conversation.

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Children’s Book Festival to feature culturally diverse, award-winning authors and illustrators on Nov. 9

Anonymous — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 01:13:07 +0000

Children’s Book Festival to feature culturally diverse, award-winning authors and illustrators on Nov. 9 Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 10/24/2024 - 19:13

If You Go

Who: Open to the public
What: Children's Book Festival
When: Saturday, Nov. 9, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Where: ��«��Ƶ Public Library, 1001 Arapahoe Ave.

The ��«��Ƶ School of Education, in collaboration with the ��«��Ƶ Book Store, is thrilled to announce the 6th Annual Children’s Book Festival, taking place on Saturday, Nov. 9. For the first time, the event will be hosted off campus, at the ��«��Ƶ Public Library to make it more accessible to the community.

The free event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and it welcomes teachers, children, families, librarians and “all who enjoy children’s literature.” Attendees can engage in author talks, a panel discussion for educators, exhibit tables, book sales and signings and various activities for children.

This year’s festival highlights an exciting lineup of authors and illustrators, including:

Brittany Cicchese – Illustrator of No More Señora Mimi / No más señora Mimí (Picturebook)
Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw – Author/Illustrator of Like You, Like Me (Picturebook)
Julie Leung – Author of Mr. Pei's Perfect Shapes: The Story of Architect I.M. Pei (Picturebook)
Chris Grabenstein – Author of Mr. Lemoncello's Fantabulous Finale (Chapter Book)
Amalie Howard – Author of Bumps in the Night (Chapter Book)
Craig Kofi Farmer – Author of Kwame Crashes the Underworld (Chapter Book)

Enhancing accessibility and community engagement

Adam Crawley, associate teaching professor in the School of Education and festival director, said the event’s in-person format this year honors a partnership with the ��«��Ƶ Public Library.

“Having the event in-person, on Saturday and at the library makes the event—and the culturally diverse, award-winning authors and illustrators themselves—more accessible to the greater public,” he said.

This year, the festival also collaborates with the "I Have a Dream Foundation," which will facilitate book donations and participation from local groups.

“A hallmark of the festival each year is the inclusion of authors, illustrators and books that reflect the cultural diversity of the ��«��Ƶ community and beyond — providing representations that might be ‘mirrors’ for some audiences and ‘windows’ for others," Crawley added, referring to a concept originally articulated by scholar Rudine Sims Bishop in the 1990s in which “mirrors” allow children to see themselves being reflected in stories and “windows” provide readers insight in worlds they have not experienced.

“Mirrors” in this year’s literature

A local parent reflected on the festival's lineup of literature with excitement about Julie Leung’s book about I.M. Pei, who designed ��«��Ƶ’s iconic National Center for Atmospheric Research.

“Growing up here in the '80s, I.M. Pei and the NCAR building was a huge touchstone for me as a child,” she said. “My father would always point it out with pride that an Asian American designed it, and it was hugely important for me as a kid to have that role model when there were so few Asian people here in ��«��Ƶ.

“I'm excited that my own kid will get to learn a bit more about him through Julie Leung's book.”

Educational opportunities

For families, the event aims to foster a love of reading for children through opportunities to meet authors, participate in storytimes and engage in creative activities led by CU ��«��Ƶ students and library staff.

Teachers and librarians can earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) by attending the festival, and CU ��«��Ƶ education students have also developed educational resources linked to the Colorado Academic Standards to support educators.

Attendees can purchase books and participate in signings, and the ��«��Ƶ Bookstore will contribute 20% of book sales to the 2025 festival, further supporting the community initiative.

Impact on local schools

On the Friday before the public festival, authors and illustrators will visit local schools, engage with students and donate books—compliments of the festival which received support from the CU ��«��Ƶ Office for Public and Community Engaged Scholarship.

These visits will impact several schools across five districts, including ��«��Ƶ Valley, St. Vrain Valley, Adams 12, Adams 14 and Strasburg, reaching approximately 525 students, plus their teachers, staff, parents and more.

Each participating school will receive around 80 donated books, extending the festival's mission to promote literacy and enrich educational experiences.

Learn more and register

The 6th Annual Children’s Book Festival promises to be an enriching experience for the community, bringing together diverse voices in children's literature and promoting a love of reading.

To learn more and register, visit the Children’s Book Festival website.

The ��«��Ƶ School of Education, in collaboration with the ��«��Ƶ Book Store, is thrilled to announce the 6th Annual Children’s Book Festival, taking place on Saturday, Nov. 9 at the ��«��Ƶ Public Library. The free event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and it welcomes teachers, children, families, librarians and “all who enjoy children’s literature.”

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It takes a village: School of Education and community celebrate new campus home

Anonymous — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 22:05:52 +0000

It takes a village: School of Education and community celebrate new campus home Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 10/21/2024 - 16:05

Jessica Winter , CU ��«��Ƶ Advancement Marketing and Communications

After more than five years of fundraising efforts, CU ��«��Ƶ’s School of Education celebrated moving into its new campus home: the Ofelia Miramontes and Leonard Baca Education Building. The milestone, made possible by collective philanthropy, was marked with a festive building dedication and community open house on Oct. 4 to showcase the school’s collaborative new spaces, highlight its influential research, celebrate educators and honor the passionate community that made this project possible.

Launched in the spring of 2019, the initiative to move the School of Education to its newly renovated home (previously known as the Fleming Building) was a multi-phase renovation project. The school’s dean emerita, Kathy Schultz, spearheaded the move with donor and campus leadership support.

A united effort

An extraordinary 97 families donated to the renovations — resulting in 23 named spaces in the building, from classrooms to meeting spaces and private study rooms, demonstrating the strength of the school’s community support.

“It took a whole village … The building was much-needed, to be competitive with other universities and to provide a state-of-the-art location for students, faculty, staff and our community,” said Barb Quinlan (Edu’65, MA’86), donor and member of the school’s Development Advisory Board. Quinlan is also a member of Women Investing in the School of Education (WISE), which supports faculty research, initiatives, and a student scholarship. In addition to contributing to the project, she led a group effort to inspire other passionate WISE members to name one of the school’s classrooms.

The building’s name honors two former CU ��«��Ƶ School of Education faculty members, Ofelia Miramontes and Leonard Baca, and their lasting legacies of exceptional mentorship and groundbreaking leadership — particularly in the field of bilingual education, which continues to uplift educators and support historically marginalized students today.

Miramontes, who passed away in 2005, was represented by her sister and niece at the dedication, and Baca was present with his wife and grandson. The heartwarming ceremony featured stories of gratitude from their former students, and many family members, mentees and former colleagues were in attendance to honor Miramontes’ and Baca’s impact.

Together at last

Moving to the Miramontes Baca Education Building marks the first time in recent history that the entire School of Education will be together under one roof. Previously, the school’s centers and programs were housed in a variety of buildings. In addition to providing more space, the new location is equipped with the technology and facilities to support modern teaching methods and community-building opportunities.

A hallmark of our School of Education is a commitment to collaborative and interactive communities, both in our classrooms and in the entirety of our work as scholars and educators. Our space reflects this commitment — I am excited to see where we go in the future.." — Melissa Braaten, associate professor in the School of Education

View event photo album

"This renovation has allowed the School of Education to create spaces that suit the programming and classes that it offers,” said Suzanne Hoover, development board member and longtime supporter of the school. “It has allowed the school to have up-to-date technology that is so important to education in the 21st century." Suzanne and Dave Hoover helped kick off the fundraising effort for the school in 2019. In recognition of their generosity and dedication to education, the school named its new central collaborative space the Hoover Atrium.

"For us, our educations have been paramount to our ability to dream of a future and to reach those dreams,” said Suzanne Hoover. “Education broadens horizons and opens doors for those who pursue it."

Additional features of the Miramontes Baca Education Building include modernized classrooms and conference rooms, private study rooms, a food pantry and community kitchens, and learning labs for specialized disciplines such as STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education.

Associate Professor Melissa Braaten, program chair for STEM education in the School of Education, remarked that the new spaces are being used exactly as they’d hoped — with students from all over campus connecting and collaborating in ways they weren’t easily able to before.

Heartwarming support

Braaten noted that teaching in classrooms named after the dedicated and generous families that support the school offers a sense of “legacy and community.” She said future philanthropy for the school can continue to ensure adequate classroom space and enhance learning for tomorrow’s educators.

“The fundraising effort has taken many years and many contributions, large and small, to generate the resources that we need to renovate our building,” said Braaten. “I have had the opportunity to meet the donors and families responsible for supporting the classrooms where I teach — it’s so special to hear their stories of the compassionate, dedicated teachers in their families and see their commitment to education.”

An innovative component to the school’s new classrooms is their ability to be reconfigured — the seating has been designed to be movable, offering a more interactive approach to teaching and classroom collaboration. The building dedication and open house on Oct. 4 allowed attendees to tour the newly renovated spaces and see these features firsthand. Guests also engaged in a research showcase and family-friendly activities and enjoyed live mariachi music, a ribbon-cutting ceremony and remarks honoring the community’s commitment to education.

“As one of the most important things we can provide for children, education is top of the list — it’s a gift of a lifetime,” said Marty Coffin Evans (A&S’64), donor and board chair for the school. “I believe strongly in the power of education. It has the ability to change, enrich, inform and mold lives.”

A bright future

Evans remarked that the school’s new home reinforces its value and formally acknowledges “the powerful education found within its walls.” She hopes gratitude and a passion for education can drive future philanthropy efforts.

“If you've had a special teacher, counselor or coach in your life, this is a wonderful way to say: ‘Thank you for believing in me, thank you for teaching me,’” said Evans.

In addition to enhancing innovative education and bringing the whole school together, the renovated facilities will help attract and retain top faculty, as well as support the school’s mission of preparing the teachers and leaders of tomorrow.

“A hallmark of our School of Education is a commitment to collaborative and interactive communities, both in our classrooms and in the entirety of our work as scholars and educators,” said Braaten. “Our space reflects this commitment — I am excited to see where we go in the future.”

View event photo album

Photo captions:
Above: The ribbon-cutting ceremony included Angela Snyder and Marcela Martinez-Jones (Ofelia Miramontes' sister and niece), Dean Emerita Kathy Schultz, Interim Dean Fernando Rosario-Ortiz, Chancellor Justin Schwartz, Chancellor Emeritus Phil DiStefano, Leonard Baca, his wife and grandson, Eleanor Baca and Jaylen Baca
Center: Melissa Braaten teaching elementary education students in the new Learning Sphere Classroom, a space named by Trish Shapiro in the Miramontes Baca Education Building.
Below: Leonard Baca and family, and Ofelia Miramontes' family and close friends.

After more than five years of fundraising efforts, CU ��«��Ƶ’s School of Education celebrated moving into its new campus home: the Ofelia Miramontes and Leonard Baca Education Building. The milestone was marked with a festive building dedication and community open house to showcase the school’s collaborative new spaces, highlight its influential research, celebrate educators and honor the passionate community that made the project possible.

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What is Colorado’s ‘school choice’ Amendment 80 all about? Education policy expert weighs in

Anonymous — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 20:41:31 +0000

What is Colorado’s ‘school choice’ Amendment 80 all about? Education policy expert weighs in Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 10/18/2024 - 14:41

This election season, voters across Colorado will decide on Amendment 80, which would add language establishing, among other things, a “right to school choice” into Colorado’s constitution. Education Professor Kevin Welner, a legal scholar and director of the National Education Policy Center, weighs in.

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Are school boards becoming politicized? Expert weighs in

Anonymous — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 16:27:19 +0000

Are school boards becoming politicized? Expert weighs in Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 08/14/2024 - 10:27

Daniel Strain

As children across the U.S. head back to class, their educations will be shaped by the decisions of nearly 13,000 school boards. Anna Deese, a PhD student in Educational Foundations, Policy and Practice and former school board member from Montana, breaks down some of the biggest misconceptions.

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Top News

Highlights from 2024: The CU ��«����Ƶ School of Education’s year in review

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Mylie Lanier is committed to making a meaningful difference through personal connections and compassionate teaching

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The Conversation: What would it mean if President-elect Trump dismantled the US Department of Education?

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Children’s Book Festival to feature culturally diverse, award-winning authors and illustrators on Nov. 9

Enhancing accessibility and community engagement

“Mirrors” in this year’s literature

Educational opportunities

Impact on local schools

Learn more and register

Off

It takes a village: School of Education and community celebrate new campus home

A united effort

Together at last

Heartwarming support

A bright future

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What is Colorado’s ‘school choice’ Amendment 80 all about? Education policy expert weighs in

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Are school boards becoming politicized? Expert weighs in

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Highlights from 2024: The CU ��«��Ƶ School of Education’s year in review