2025 Future Educator Honor Roll Candidate Bios

Molly Corl
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Molly is a military kid born in one place but raised in many different cultures, communities and locations. She was born in Meadowbrook, Pennsylvania, and eventually moved to Colorado in 2018. Since Molly was a child, she has wanted to change the world somehow. It wasn't until she was about to graduate from high school that she realized the best way to change the world is to teach those who are going to be the future.

She began her educational journey at Flagler College, where she had multiple study abroad experiences that widened her understanding of the world, different perspectives and her place in it all. Shortly after, she moved back to Colorado and started her teaching journey as a kindergarten teacher in a charter school while finishing her education at Adams State University as an alternative licensing teacher, working toward her elementary education degree with a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse emphasis. Every second she is at her job, in her classroom or speaking to her coworkers, she is learning.

Molly shows a deep understanding that the best way to teach is to be open to learning, as being a teacher is a never-ending journey. She is so grateful for all the experiences she has been given over the years and those who have supported her, and she looks forward to continuing to help her students change the world.
 

Psalm Delaney
Colorado College

Jessica Martinez
Colorado College

Mira Houck
Colorado Mesa University

Mira was born and raised in Thornton, Colorado. She has enjoyed playing soccer for most of her life, and she even had the opportunity to play collegiate soccer while pursuing her undergrad in sociology and her masters in elementary education at CMU. Her family and friends are her biggest motivators and supporters. She would not be where she is today without those influential people.  

She has wanted to be a teacher since the time she was in middle school. Mira helped coach a soccer team with her dad and spent many summers at a water park where she taught swim lessons. Helping children reach their dreams has always been important to her. She understood that without teachers, there would be no other professions. She describes herself as authentic, disciplined, and empathetic. She strives to make sure those qualities are very present in her classroom. Her goal is to craft a classroom culture that is safe, engaging, and transformative. She believes it is essential for students to feel valued, included, and challenged. Her field experiences and mentorship have allowed her to learn how to put this into practice. She cannot wait to utilize her training in sociology and elementary education and begin her career as a future educator!  

Paula Gabriela Garcia
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Gaby was born and raised in the Vail Valley and feels fortunate to still be part of the community. She is a bilingual Latina, married for 15 years and a proud mom of three amazing kids. She completed a bachelor's degree in elementary education with the ECE pathway at Colorado Mountain College and is pursuing a dual licensure in both elementary and early childhood education.

Early childhood has always held a special place in her heart, as she believes the preschool years are a crucial time in a child’s development. With more than 10 years of classroom experience, along with studies and hands-on learning, she’s grown passionate about creating safe, nurturing environments that support children's social, emotional and academic growth.

Outside of work and school, she enjoys cooking, spending time with family and friends, dancing, reading and traveling. Life is busy with kids and their sports, and while it can be a challenge to find time for herself, she cherishes every bit of it.

Becoming a teacher is more than a career goal, it’s a true calling. She hopes to be a positive, inspiring presence in the lives of young learners and their families and is excited for what’s to come.

Jack Gwertzman
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During his sophomore year at the University of Wisconsin, studying mechanical engineering, Jack had a friend from high school reach out. Home for the summer in New York, Jack and his friend were tutoring students at a homeless shelter and discovered that many students didn’t have access to the proper educational resources they needed to succeed in the classroom. Armed with a concerted interest in urban education and a vested interest in math, Jack and his friend started an educational startup company. Jack created and managed the math curriculum for kindergarten through 6th-grade with a staff of 10 employees.

Three years later, their small team of 20 at Sparks Within Reach partnered with six homeless shelters in the city, got funding and training from Harvard’s Innovation Labs and recognized the large gaps in education with the city. His work focused on designing K–6 math curricula, enabling tutors to target foundational gaps for students significantly below grade level.

While serving in AmeriCorps and pushing into small math classes, Jack was able to lead a few units to the classroom and when he found students connecting with math topics and curious to ask questions about their learning, he felt inspired to pursue teaching.

He is currently completing Colorado Mountain College’s Alternate Teacher Certificate Program, a one-year pathway that allows professionals to teach while earning licensure. Through coursework, mentorship, and classroom practice, Jack is developing instructional expertise while continuing to serve his school and district as a full-time educator.

Takara Montover
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Takara is a first-grade teacher at Caprock Academy in Grand Junction. She is working on her K-6 license through the Colorado River BOCES program. As cliché as it sounds, she always wanted to become a teacher. When she was seven years old, Santa brought her a large chalkboard that hung in her room. She would spend hours teaching stuffed animals, utilizing the tricks and tools she watched her teachers use daily. Fast forward to high school; she was competing to be the valedictorian and had recently received a full-ride scholarship to attend Mesa State College (now Colorado Mesa University) when she found out she was pregnant. At the time, I thought all my dreams of being a teacher were over and chose to focus on becoming the best mom. She became a 911 dispatcher and ended up getting a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Being a dispatcher was a rewarding and fulfilling job. Takara was quickly promoted to training new dispatchers and felt the satisfaction of helping others learn and succeed. But ultimately, something was missing in the core of her heart: TEACHING! She always strived to be the best example to her six children, so at the ripe age of 40, she took the leap to follow a lifelong dream and applied to be a first-grade teacher. Two years into teaching, she knows for a fact this is where she is meant to be and her life experiences have molded her into the teacher she is proud to be.

Jocelyn Munoz
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Jocelyn graduated from Colorado Mesa University with a degree in human resources. She is married and has a beautiful daughter. Growing up as a first-generation woman, she knows the importance of education and the power it has in changing people’s lives. While completing her degree in HR, she had the opportunity to work with TRIO Upward Bound. Through TRIO, she had the privilege of mentoring students from diverse backgrounds, helping them prepare for college and navigate the challenges they faced. That experience sparked a deep desire to have a more direct impact on students’ lives, leading her to pursue teaching.

Although her background is in human resources, she decided to take a leap and enroll in an alternative licensure program to become a teacher. She knew that this was where she could make the most difference, especially for students who need guidance and support. Her goal as an educator is to create an inclusive and empowering classroom where all students feel valued and motivated to succeed.

She lived on the western slope most of her life. This is a place she’s come to love for its strong community and natural beauty. Being in a smaller, close-knit area allows her to connect more deeply with students and their families. Her work is driven by a desire to give back to my community and she's passionate about helping students, especially those from backgrounds like hers, reach their full potential and see what’s possible for their futures.

Dana Anderson

Dana is a senior at the Colorado School of Mines studying engineering physics with a minor in teaching. She is pursuing licensure in both science and math to teach middle school STEM subjects. She is completing her final student teaching placement in a 6th-grade science classroom in the Summit School District. She loves being a part of this unique mountain community and works hard to meet the diverse needs of her students.

Dana’s journey into education began with outdoor youth programs, where she fell in love with sharing her passion for outdoor recreation with children. Through education courses in college, she realized she could also share her love for science in the classroom and was immediately hooked. Dana strives to be a catalyst for those “aha” moments that spark curiosity and confidence in students. To her, teaching is about fostering a love of learning and supporting the whole child. She emphasizes cross-subject skills to help students grow into lifelong investigators and learners.

Colista Bird
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Colista Bird is a master's student in education at the Colorado School of Mines, graduating in May 2025. Colista previously earned her undergraduate degree in 2022 from the University of Colorado in biochemistry and decided to take the teaching path after a brief stint in industry. Colista was born and raised in Colorado and enjoys the great outdoors. In her free time, Colista loves to read, hike, roller skate and watercolor paint. Her favorite books include Wild by Cheryl Strayed and The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. Colista is excited to become a secondary science teacher and share her love of science with the coming generations. 

Whitney Monter
Colorado State University Pueblo

Heather Ward
Colorado State University Pueblo
 

Whitney Duran
Fort Lewis College

Crystalyn Garcias
Fort Lewis College

Bre Premschak
Fort Lewis College

Brianna Sarracino
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Brianna is proud to be a part of the Navajo Nation, which lies in Arizona. She is from a small town called Window Rock. Coming from a rural area and being part of an underrepresented community is very important to her. Being a Native American and graduating from college is a huge deal. She wanted to take her education to the next level after graduating during the COVID pandemic in 2020. She loves who she is and where she comes from, so she wants to represent her people in the best way she can.

Attending Fort Lewis College changed her life in ways she would not expect. Brianna decided to become a teacher early in her first year because that was when she became an aunt. Being able to teach her niece when she was young encouraged her to work in the field of early childhood. She loves working with children at a young age and being able to watch them grow. She wants to make a change in the community at an early age because many negative factors in her community take education away from children. She wants to give back to her people and work in schools where she can make a difference. She was faced with obstacles in her path throughout school but what made her feel better were the kids she worked with. That’s when she knew she was where she wanted to be.

Dominique Mercer
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Dominique is a proud Colorado native and a student in Fort Morgan School District’s alternative licensure program. Before stepping into the classroom as a 2nd-grade general education teacher, he spent a few years working in sales. He did well, but always felt like something was missing.

That changed when his sister joined the ALT program. Hearing her talk about the joy she found in teaching lit a spark in him. Her passion gave him the courage to leap—and he has not looked back since.

The ALT program has given him the tools, support, and confidence needed to flourish in a career that truly aligns with his heart. He loves helping students feel seen, valued and capable. As a first-year teacher, he loves the creativity this job allows the diversity each student brings and the pure magic that happens as they learn and grow.

This has been the most rewarding experience of his life and he is excited to continue growing in this career.

Kimberly Smith
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Kimberly grew up in Northeastern Colorado, where she quickly learned that school was hard for her and nobody could ever pinpoint exactly why. She was given some extra help, but was turned off to learning at a young age due to dyslexia and struggles in math. She eventually dropped out of school to earn a GED instead.

She was diagnosed with a specific learning disability at the age of 30, and everything then made sense as to why she struggled when it came to school. After being told for years that she was “dumb” or “lazy,” she realized that the reason that she hadn’t succeeded in school wasn’t because of any of those things, but because she didn’t have the support and resources needed as a child to help learn in the ways tailored for how her brain learns. She started school to earn a bachelor’s in elementary education and then her master's degree in special education so that she can help teach children in the way they need, so that they will enjoy learning even past school age!

She is now a special education teacher at the best school, Lone Star School in Otis, Colorado. Kimberly lives on a small farm with her two precious daughters, her amazing and supportive husband and their dog Copper. She never could have imagined loving teaching and learning as much as she does and is thankful and blessed for where life has taken her.

Andrea Lockwood
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Andrea is the secondary math and elementary PE teacher at Lone Star. She teaches 7th grade, 8th grade, algebra 1 and geometry math, elementary PE and personal finance. She is wrapping up her first year of teaching and finishing up with the alternative licensure teacher program through Northeast BOCES.

She grew up with a big family and is the second oldest of seven children. She has five sisters and one brother. Her family grew up in the Lone Star community on the family’s dryland farm, helping with wheat harvest and raising a small herd of cows. In 2023, she married her high school sweetheart, Wyatt. She stays busy helping coach volleyball and basketball.

She graduated high school in 2021 and was set on being an accountant. Andrea attended the University of Colorado Colorado Springs to obtain a bachelor's degree in accounting. She graduated in May of 2023 and accepted a position as a tax consultant working remotely. She did this for a year, until a job opportunity became available at Lone Star. It was at that moment she realized that her heart had never left the school and could see herself filling a teacher role. She jumped at the opportunity. She believes being a teacher was always in her, she just took a different path to get there. She is thankful to be a teacher and even more to do so in the Lone Star community.

Stephanie Neiberger
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Stephanie is a business teacher at Sterling High School. She grew up in rural Colorado and was fortunate to have two elementary educators for parents. Their strong influence and commitment to education persuaded her to pursue a second career in education after 25 years in banking. Her degree is in business administration with an emphasis in management from the University of Northern Colorado. Stephanie believes in the value of preparing her students for the workforce through her business classes and FBLA advisory role and is passionate about the importance of financial literacy for all. She is incredibly grateful to her instructional coach at Northeastern Central BOCES and the wonderful mentors at Sterling High School who provided support and guidance throughout her alternative licensure program.

Katie Orr
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Katie was born and raised in Rochester, Minnesota. After earning a bachelor's in psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, she moved to Colorado to serve with City Year, a nonprofit organization that places success coaches in public Denver schools to provide academic and social-emotional support. During her first service year with City Year, she felt inspired and encouraged to continue on a path as an educator. Fast forward to this school year, she is currently working on a master's in education with initial teaching licensure with the support and partnership from Regis University. It’s been an incredible experience to collaborate and learn from professors, mentor teachers and student peers. She is thankful for all the support and experiences that have gotten her this far.

Furthermore, Katie wants to become an educator because she believes that teaching creates the opportunity to inspire and empower young leaders in their educational journey. As an educator and teacher, it is her responsibility to create an inclusive and welcoming environment where all students feel valued and respected. She hopes to always foster an appreciation for cultural diversity, express empathy and encourage students to engage with understanding and respect.

Karina Gonzalez Placito
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Karina is from Denver and will receive a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Regis University. She always wanted to be an educator because the idea of taking part in shaping the world fascinates her. One of her favorite personality traits is being a loving person. She loves to love and wishes to share that with all her future students. She is currently focused on teaching kindergarten at Title I schools. She chose kindergarten because they are not only funny beings, but they are also impressionable and genuine. She worked hard in her college career to have a unique classroom presence that allows her to connect with students in a way that helps build their interest in what they are learning, what they can do as individuals and their trust in all the future educators they will have in their academic careers.

Cameron Ballard
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP) 

Katelynn Bollig
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Katelynn currently attends MSU Denver, pursuing a degree in mathematics with a teaching license. She is 19 years old and works part-time as a swim coach for ages 5-18. She was a swimmer for 10 years but also did other activities such as Girl Scouts, tutoring, link leader and many other clubs. She has lived in Colorado her entire life. She graduated high school in 2023 but began the TREP program, which provided a scholarship to MSU Denver and officially graduated in 2025.

She always loved math as well as teaching others, so when choosing a major, it was extremely simple. She is close to her family and lives with her parents and younger sister. Katelynn enjoys playing board games, watching Marvel movies, shopping and reading romance novels. She is a fan of almost all Chicago sports teams. She loves elephants and the color blue.

She struggles with anxiety and panic attacks but has found methods that work to calm her down. Katelynn wants to help other people who struggle with anxiety because she understands how hard it can be. One of the reasons that she wants to teach high school is to help students who are stressed about college or other factors in their lives that seem out of their control.

Katelynn is honored to be nominated for the Future Educators Honor Roll and thinks it is an amazing opportunity.

McKenzie Brown
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP)
 

Jasmine Buniger
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP) 

Maria Cecilia Chigo Cagal

Cecilia is a second-year recipient of the TREP program and a student at MSU Denver, where she is pursuing a degree in art education K–12 with a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) endorsement. She has chosen to become an art educator out of a deep commitment to nurturing student curiosity and creativity. Cecilia believes in the power of art to build meaningful connections and create spaces where students feel seen and understood. Her own experiences as a student were shaped by thoughtful conversations with art teachers who made her feel valued—an impact she hopes to replicate in her future classroom.

As a bilingual Latina, Cecilia is passionate about fostering inclusive learning environments that celebrate diversity. She is dedicated to ensuring that every student feels a sense of pride in their identity and a strong sense of belonging. Through her work as an educator, she aims to support students in expressing themselves confidently through art and in developing a lifelong appreciation for creativity and culture.

 Cara Cluver
 Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP)

 Jackson DeBaggis
 Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP) 

 Giselle Caraveo Dominguez
 Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP) 

Emily Dunn

Emily was born and raised in Denver. She's pursuing a bachelor's degree in elementary education, fulfilling a lifelong dream of becoming a teacher. She was inspired to pursue this path by educators throughout her elementary experience who made learning engaging, nurturing and full of discovery. She hopes to be the kind of teacher who creates a safe, inclusive and inspiring environment where every student feels supported and excited to learn. Through meaningful connections and creative teaching strategies, Emily aims to spark curiosity, build confidence and make a lasting impact on her future students' lives.

In high school, Emily joined a teacher cadet program and worked closely in a third-grade classroom. This experience deepened her passion for teaching and helped her secure a spot in the TREP program. Since then, Emily has continued building her experience by working in various educational roles, including after-school care and substitute teaching within Adams 12 Five Star Schools. These positions have equipped her with valuable insight into classroom management, differentiated instruction and fostering inclusive learning environments.

Her hands-on experience across grade levels and learning settings has strengthened her commitment to equity in education and student-centered teaching practices. Emily looks forward to continuing her journey in education and becoming a positive force in the lives of the students and communities she will serve.

Aiden Gamel
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP) 

Noorhan Garni
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP)

Esau Gonzalez Garay
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP) 

Diana Ramirez Gonzalez
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP)

Stacy Galvan Gonzalez
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP)

Alyssa Hernandez
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP)

Kaylee Jesienouski
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP)

Yosselin Gomez Jimenez
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP)

Taylyn Johnson 
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP)
 

Zoe Johnson
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP) 
 

Noah Jones
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP) 
 

Aubryana Kaiser
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP) 

Mia Kroto

Mia was born and raised in Colorado Springs and loves it. She always knew she wanted to become a teacher because she had so many positive experiences with her teachers growing up. In high school, she participated in the LINK program and helped incoming freshmen during junior and senior years and that’s when she knew she wanted to help others learn and grow. This year, she started working at a local childcare center while also being a full-time student at Pikes Peak State College. She is excited to

graduate and work towards a bachelor's degree at UCCS. Mia is eager to have a classroom and students that she will be able to help one day!

Ava Lark
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP)

Vallencia Lasut
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP)

Miyu Lauer
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP)

Kennedy Leonard
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP) 

Alexis Lopez

Alexis chose to be an educator because she loves working with kids. Teaching is more than just academics; it's about helping children grow into kind and caring individuals. Her goal is to create a classroom where students feel like they are part of a family and can be themselves. Alexis hopes to instill a lifelong love of learning in each student.

Adriana Lucero
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP) 

Lauviana Maes
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP)

Olivia Martinez
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP)

Estrella Calixto Marquez
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP)

Liryze Maury Tzuc
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP)

Penn McQuillen
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP) 

Paige Meadors
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP)

Concepcion Meza-Villanueva
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP)

Concepcion grew up in Greeley and Guanajuato, Mexico. She is a first-generation student. She comes from a Hispanic household and is family and friend-oriented. She never hesitates to help anyone in need. As a senior in high school, she was asked to help guide a freshman class and loved it. Before that, she had found her passion in cooking and baking, so when she discovered she could teach that, she didn't hesitate!  A situation that made her feel 100% certain about her choice was when she discovered a fellow food science classmate was taking the class to be able to cook for his three younger siblings and himself, as his single mom was too busy working to provide for them. That was a hard reality that made her want to help. As an educator, she believes a great society begins with a great education. 

Nevaeh Noriega
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP) 

Olivia Nunez
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP)

Madelyn O'Rell
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP) 

Alissa Parsons
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP) 

Justyne Pereida
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP)

Jordan Pesek
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP) 

Skyla Powell
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP)

Annabelle Reed
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP) 

Yamileth Saenz
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP)

Sophia Shumaker
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP)

Hally Spinaci
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP) 

Kyndall Toft
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP) 

Averee Toft
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP) 

Gabrie Trout
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP) 

Madison Tuttle
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP)

Caelyn Zedrick
Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP)

Golda Harris
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Golda is originally from just outside of Chicago. As a graduating senior at the University of Colorado Boulder she is pursuing a double major in environmental science and secondary science education through the CU Teach STEM Ed program. 

Through her coursework, field experiences and mentorship from incredible educators, she learned how to foster safe, equitable and inclusive learning environments, as well as how to use phenomenon-based learning to make science relevant and meaningful for students. Golda strives to design lessons that not only build disciplinary knowledge but also connect to students’ diverse interests, identities and lived experiences. 

With a background in environmental science, she is passionate about using local and global environmental issues to engage students in critical thinking and real-world problem solving. Golda wants her students to see science not just as a subject, but as a powerful tool for understanding and shaping the world around them—from climate justice to community-driven solutions. 

As a woman in science, she also hopes to be a role model for young girls who may not always see themselves represented in STEM fields. She is committed to creating a classroom where all students feel seen, valued and capable—and where young women feel empowered to pursue science with confidence and curiosity. 

One of the most rewarding parts of this journey has been growing alongside  students—learning from them just as much as they learn from her. She is excited to continue this work as she steps into the classroom full-time and looks forward to joining a community of educators who are passionate about equity, the environment and transformative teaching.

Gabriella Ansley
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Gabriella is currently pursuing her master’s in curriculum and instruction through the UCCS ALP program, having graduated in May 2023 with a bachelor's in mathematics. Born and raised in Colorado, Gabriella discovered her passion for education at a young age, inspired by her educators and the joy she found in school. Although she initially did not plan to become a teacher, her experience working at a math center for struggling students in college ignited a deep love in her for teaching math. This passion led her to become a tutor at a high school, where she eventually embraced a long-term substitute role in math, which revealed the significant impact she could have in a traditional classroom setting.

Currently, as she approaches the end of her first year as a full-time high school math teacher, Gabriella's dedication to education shines through her distinctive approach. She is committed to creating an equitable learning environment where every student feels valued and capable, especially in a subject many find daunting. Gabriella is dedicated to planting seeds of impact in each student she encounters, ensuring that all leave her classroom appreciating the value of their learning. Her deep love for math education inspires her to make significant strides in the field. Gabriella believes that becoming an educator is the best decision she has ever made, fueled by her passion for learning and her unwavering belief in every student's potential.

Dante Leach
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Dante is a middle school social studies teacher in Colorado Springs School District 11. Originally from Seattle, he now calls Colorado home. After serving in the military, Dante decided a career in education would be the best way to serve his community. Beyond geography, history, economics, civics and personal finance, Dante teaches students leadership skills in the classroom, as they are becoming informed citizens. Dante has a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary arts and science from the University of Washington and currently attends the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, where he is pursuing a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. In his free time, Dante enjoys coaching sports and spending time with loved ones.

Ruby Medina
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Ruby is a first-generation Latina student from Aurora and is completing student teaching in D8 at Fountain-Fort Carson High School, where she is surrounded by so much support. At school, you can find her standing outside her classroom, greeting students with a smile on her face and a ridiculous joke. When she is not in the classroom, she spends time with her dog and family, painting, writing poetry, listening to Taylor Swift, trying video games students recommend and grading, of course. When she began teaching, she was nervous about her future in this profession. Now, she is eager to start a career because if there is one thing Taylor Swift was wrong about, it is that she is in fact, not on her own.

Zachary Bennett

Zachary lives in the Denver metropolitan area and is an authorized substitute teacher for Denver Public Schools. Zac earned a bachelor of arts in classics with a minor in dance at the University of Colorado Boulder and served in the U.S. Navy for six years before going back to school for his master of arts in teaching at the University of Colorado Denver. While teaching other sailors the intricacies of standing watch and writing correspondence, Zac discovered his passion for teaching diverse crowds on land and sea. Heavily drawing from students’ backgrounds, goals and interests, he focuses on the growth mindset of the students and guides them towards being lifelong readers and learners. 

Reflection and building connections from content to personal lived experiences are key components of his class, as well as providing ample opportunity and method for students to demonstrate their learning. He firmly believes that all students should have access to a quality education that allows them to succeed wherever they go in life after high school: college, trade school, the workforce, perhaps the military. The University of Colorado Denver’s school of education and human development’s faculty selected him as an outstanding graduate in the master of arts in teaching program. His hobbies include painting, printmaking, dancing, hiking, baking, learning languages, reading nonfiction, writing fiction and knitting scarves.

Margarita Gonzales

A passionate advocate for bilingual education, Margarita is a future teacher dedicated to creating inclusive, culturally responsive classrooms where students feel seen, heard and empowered. As a first-generation student, she understands the transformative power of education and brings that drive into every space she enters.

Throughout her academic journey, Margarita has been recognized for her outstanding leadership, commitment to her community and academic excellence. She has received multiple honors, including outstanding graduate, leadership, and outstanding student awards—a testament to her dedication and impact both inside and outside the classroom.

With key strengths in patience, empathy, organization and an unwavering passion for bilingual education, she aims to support multilingual learners not only in mastering English but also in maintaining and celebrating their native languages. Her vision is to build classroom environments that affirm students’ identities and provide equitable opportunities for success.

Outside of her professional goals, Margarita finds joy in reading, dancing and exploring different cuisines and cultures. Her love for learning extends beyond the classroom and she deeply values experiences that broaden her understanding of the world and the diverse people within it.

Currently, Margarita is preparing to step into her first classroom as a full-time teacher. Her goal is to become an intuitive, compassionate and effective educator—one who inspires her students to embrace both their academic growth and cultural heritage.

Genevieve Trettel 
University of Denver

Christian Alvis
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Christian’s path to becoming an educator began long before he stepped foot on the University of Northern Colorado campus. At 14, he volunteered at a nonprofit organization in Colorado Springs called Kids on Bikes, where he taught young children how to ride bikes for the very first time. Their triumphant yells and ecstatic giggles opened his eyes to the effect that a dedicated, compassionate and encouraging educator can have on their pupils. That summer, he committed to becoming an educator, beginning a journey that both culminates and starts anew when he graduates from UNC and enters the professional world.

In his years at the university, he supplemented his practical experience with educational theory, taught to him by a team of wonderful professors. He learned theory and then brought it into the classroom. It is because of his dedicated mentors that he has the honor and privilege of stepping into a classroom every day, with the prospect of affecting real, lasting change in his immediate community. He cannot overstate his gratitude to his professors and mentors at UNC who, in the true spirit of education, dedicated their time to sharing hard-earned knowledge with him.