“When I dare to be powerful to use my strength in the service of my vision, it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.”  -Audre Lorde 

OBJECTIVE

As an educator and advocate, I continue to seek opportunities to challenge the systemic inequities in the educational field, and to further my growth in instruction and educational equity so that I can prepare all students to be productive citizens in this world. I actively work with educators, parents, students, and community leaders to develop pedagogy that adequately prepares all students for successful careers, regardless of the students’ racial or socioeconomic backgrounds.

 Colorado Professional License: Elementary Education (K-6) valid until Sept. 11, 2025

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards: Literacy: Reading ~ Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood, valid until Nov. 18, 2021

Teacher of the Year, Coyote Hills Elementary School, 2016

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Fifth Grade Teacher                                                                            2012-Present

Village East Elementary School- Cherry Creek School District

Coyote Hills Elementary School-Cherry Creek School District

 Fourth Grade Teacher                                                                        2006- 2012

Coyote Hills Elementary School-Cherry Creek School District

 Student Teacher and Substitute Teacher                                    2005- 2006

Polaris at Ebert Elementary School-Denver Public Schools

EDUCATION

University of Colorado                                                                    2015- Present

Doctoral Student, Educational Leadership and Equity

 University of Colorado                                                                  2008

Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction

University of the West Indies                                                       1996        

Bachelor of Science in Zoology

EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP

Curriculum Developer and Teacher  

BLM5280 Summer Freedom School, Aurora                          2018- 2020 

I collaborated with teachers in the Education Squad of Black Lives Matter 5280 to create a curriculum for elementary school students. The curriculum included Ancient African civilizations, identity, critical thinking, music, art, and dance as resistance, activism, and advocacy. The curriculum was created to affirm African American students and teach them how to advocate for themselves in the classroom.

Race and Identity, Smoky Hill Vineyard Church                     2018 – Present

Through conversations with me about race, oppression, and the church, Pastor Greg Thompson decided to do a Building Bridges series that connected the Biblical perspectives to race and oppression. Race and Identity is the follow up to this series, which he and I host with another leader. I incorporate the Courageous Conversations about Race Protocols as the tool to discuss race and the role of the church in dismantling racism.

Presenter, R.A.C.E. Conference,

University of Colorado at Denver                                                    2017

“Wake up, Mrs. Smith”: Supporting white teachers on their journey towards racial awareness and equitable education. This was a presentation where I discussed how whiteness shows up in teachers and in the curriculum, and how to begin the work of intentionally and actively removing whiteness from our psyche.

Let’s Talk About Race, Coyote Hills Elementary                    2017

I created this space and collaborated with three other teachers to host meetings where staff members could explore and isolate race in order to further grow their equity lenses. The meetings addressed current events, curricula, and the personal journey of staff members as they move toward educational equity and advocacy.

Published work                                                                                   2017

Between the World and Me: a review by Roberto Montoya, Cheryl E. Matias, and Michele McBride, University of Colorado Denver

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15210960.2017.1267517

 SCHOOL INVOLVEMENT

Positive Behavior Incentive System (PBIS)                               2018               

Collaborated with staff members to discuss how to recognize and affirm students in an inclusive way. PBIS ensures a safe, caring culture where students feel welcome and included in our school.

Equity Team                                                                                        2006- present  

Collaborated with teachers to address racial bias in the curriculum and school, including in ourselves. We use the Courageous Conversation Protocols to challenge ourselves to isolate race, and how it affects our students’ educational experiences.

Partnership for Academically Successful Students (PASS)    2010- present 

Collaborated with parents and community members to discuss the achievement gap, the experiences that parents had in school, and ways that our school can be more effective in meeting the learning and affective needs of students of Color.                                                    

Leadership Team                                                                               2013- 2016       

Collaborated with other grade levels to analyze grade level and school data, and brainstorm ways to vertically align by grade level. I was a voice for my teaching team with administration and work with other grade level teams to align with the school’s mission, vision, and goals.

Shooting Stars Coordinator (Student Council)                           2013-2017       

I taught students to think globally by starting with themselves and then the community. I worked to build student leaders who advocate for others. Community projects include supporting the FISH and NET pantries, organizing food and toy drives, creating bags of toiletries, food and necessities for the homeless, raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Make a Wish.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Founding Member, Colorado Black Caucus, NEA                   2018- Present

The Colorado Chapter was founded last year with seven educators of Color including me to help support educators of Color, promote culturally relevant curriculum, and working to dismantle inequities in schools.

NAACP Member, Aurora Chapter                                               2017- Present   

Participate in monthly meetings and community engagement in order to support and affirm the Black community.

CBWPA Member                                                                               2017- Present   

Participate in monthly meetings, visioning seminars, and socials to learn more about how to increase political representation of the Black community, and improve the economic, political, educational, and cultural conditions.

BLM5280 Member, Education Squad                                         2018- Present 

Participate in bimonthly meetings to advocate for students of Color in educational settings. Challenge whiteness in teachers and in the curriculum and bring voice to the urgency of addressing the inequities in the educational system.

 TRAINING AND INSTRUCTIONAL BACKGROUND

Leader in Me                                                           2020

Identity Safe Classrooms                                                           2017

Culturally Relevant Instruction                                                 2017

Indigenous Voices in the Curriculum                                       2017

Role of Inclusive Excellence                             2016

Equity Training- Pacific Education Group                               2006-2017

CASE Leadership Program                                                        2013- 2015 

Mentoring Classroom Teachers                                               2010

Teacher Leadership Certification- Front Range BOCES        2009                                                                                                                      

 STUDENT EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES

• Switzerland:                                                                           

Foreign Exchange Student, High School                                          1991-1992

Student, College                                                                                1998-1999

• Peru: Spanish Immersion                                                            2005