About Me
Teaching Philosophy
For me teaching isn’t just a calling, it’s a passion. I strongly believe in culturally responsive teaching and trauma informed classrooms. Constructivism is at the heart of my theoretical perspective and I rely significantly on Vygotsky and Montessori research. As an educator in the 21st century, I insist on equitable excellence, so all children have an inclusive opportunity to learn. Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in education solidifies and affirms one's own identity. At the same time, DEI creates and facilitates pathways that lead to understanding of educational inequity. Multicultural curriculum and supplemental materials are regularly used in my classroom, in an effort to be an inclusive teacher. This passion stems from growing up in a multiethnic community, in the foster care system. I had one teacher who inspired me to learn. Despite all odds against ethnic minority foster youth- that teacher told me to “carpe diem” or "seize the day." It only takes one adult to believe in a student and support their journey in life. I am paying it forward, hoping to inspire the next generation to reach for their own dreams.
BIO
Coming from humble beginnings, I aged out of the Colorado foster care system, and learned the meaning of resiliency. Despite the odds stacked against me, I graduated from Ignacio High School in 2003. As a Tri-ethnic Indigenous Chicana, I was blessed to be taken in by a strong Southern Ute family that supported higher education. Many foster youth do not get the opportunity to have a forever family. As a result, I saw how much of a positive impact educated Native women can make in their communities and I continue to volunteer, to this day. My hope is to inspire the next generation, to reach their own goals and become dynamic community members.
In 2005 I joined the kingdom of green and gold, becoming a Hermana of Pi Lambda Chi Latina Sorority, Inc. at Colorado State University. I earned both a B.S. and M.A. while attending. I am a proud TeachForAmerica Alumni, going on to work for 4 school districts in 2 states. I have taught, coached, tutored and mentored students for the past 13 years. I am deeply passionate about education. I hold a 4.0 GPA and was accepted as a Buell Fellow with the School of Education and Human Development at the University of Colorado at Denver.
I am currently teaching lower elementary at the Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy, in Ignacio, Colorado. It is an honor to teach here and I am thrilled to give back to the community where I grew up. Conjointly, I am serving a 3 year term, as a school board member for Kwiyagat Community Academy in Towaoc, Colorado, for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe.
I am a mother, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, and friend to the Baca, Blackwood, Bluestar, Buckskin, Candelaria, Casias, Garcia, Lawrence, Lucero, Rael, Rivera, Sandoval, Ulibarri, and Witham families. Reading, scrapbooking and beading are hobbies of mine, while hiking and playing board games are two favorite pastimes with my own children. I have taken many parenting classes and I am now a certified facilitator in Native Nurturing Parenting and SFP 10-14. Children are our future, and I invest in training to help me become a better mother and teacher. I believe we are lifelong learners and continue to strive to be a better version of myself. Life is a journey, not a competition. We go where needed, and arrive at the ideal moment.
