From global experience to classroom impact: Abi Wirbel hopes to share the benefits of living consciously with her students
Abi Wirbel is originally from Colorado, but has always had a strong sense of wanderlust and with a deep passion for seeking new cultural and linguistic experiences in diverse, urban environments. Abi’s nomadic drive led her on a journey of over a decade, living in metropolitan centers within Spain, Los Angeles and Mexico City before returning to Boulder to pursue her MA+ teacher licensure in English Language Arts.
Teaching has always been something that Abi knew she wanted to do, and it was a love of learning that she believes opened up her world in countless ways. Abi hopes to utilize her experiences to impress on the magnitude of limitless possibilities that come with living consciously upon her students.
Borrowing a phrase from respected author and education professor Bettina Love’s “theory is the North Star” of pedagogy, Abi notes that there’s “indispensable alchemy” in the intersection of theory and practice. “Teaching is deeply instinctual, but bureaucracy is data-driven,” she added. “Having the facts and the ‘whys’ behind what you’re doing will not only bolster your teaching style, but broaden it as well.”
A belief that may come at no surprise to Abi’s mentors and faculty, who commend her for her commitment to high-quality, research-informed innovation throughout her coursework.
“Abi’s inquiry into spatial pedagogy is an innovative and impactful contribution to the field of education,” her faculty nominator said.
“The insights from her work have already influenced her classroom and provide a valuable framework for educators seeking to create more inclusive and responsive learning environments.”
It’s these contributions, among many others, that led faculty to nominate Abi for the 2025 Outstanding Graduate Practices in Process Project Award.
Feeling the pull of wanderlust once more and their love for the Pacific coast, Abi and her girlfriend are heading West after graduation, where Abi hopes to find an English teacher position, and she can embrace the incredible asset of being bilingual and work with newcomer and immigrant students.
In her words:
Please tell us a bit about yourself?
Hi! I’m Abi. I'm originally from Colorado, but have always been affected by extreme wanderlust: I harbor a deep passion for cultural and linguistic experiences and diverse, urban environments. These proclivities led me to a decade-plus of living in various metropolitan centers including Spain, Los Angeles, and Mexico City before returning to Boulder to get my MA+ in English Language Arts. I always knew I wanted to teach: young people are infinitely interesting to me, and a love of learning has opened my world up in countless and wonderful ways. If I can impress even a little of the limitless and joyful possibilities of living consciously on my students, then I will consider myself a success (and contented to boot)."
What is one of the most significant lessons from your time at CU Boulder that you’ll carry with you into the next chapter of your life?
At the meeting of theory and practice, there is an indispensable alchemy. To use Bettina Love’s words, “theory is the North Star” of pedagogy. Teaching is deeply instinctual, but bureaucracy is data-driven. Having the facts and the ‘whys’ behind what you’re doing will not only bolster your teaching style, but broaden it as well.
Additionally, the educators I have studied under in this program have surprised me with their wisdom, their intellect, their consideration, and their understanding of the work. To be perfectly frank, their expertise snuck up on me. For most of us education has existed in a box which is neither comprehensive nor correct. Over the course of this year I have learned to unlearn those boundaries which myself and my own educational experiences had imposed on my understanding of what pedagogy can be. Active learning is primarily not what you expect ‘learning’ to be."
What does graduating from CU Boulder represent for you or your family/community?
As a queer, nomadic, expatriotic (yes I made that up), amorphously-white girl, community to me is a space that you create for yourself, amongst people and places of your choosing. I hope that the lessons and understanding I take with me from this program will translate into a vibrant, critical, authentic and relevant classroom experience for the student communities I will engage with."
What is your best piece of advice for incoming students?
I’ve got two for you:
Intimacy breeds conflict. Embrace both for best results.
Teaching (and becoming a teacher) is an act of supreme organization. Find a system that keeps you on track and you will halve your workload."
What are your next steps after graduation?
My girlfriend Amanda and I are moving back to California to be closer to our lifelong love of the Pacific coast. I’m hoping to fast track an English Learner Authorization and get a job working as an English teacher with a focus on Newcomer and Immigrant students. Being bilingual is an incredible asset both inter-and intra-personally, and it’s past time that we educators embrace the fruitful potentialities of nurturing and validating the versatility inherent in wielding multiple modes of communication."
