Alumni & Donor News

Join the CU Boulder School of Education on Thursday, May 2 at Boulder's Dairy Arts Center for the thought-provoking series, Ed Talks. Inspired by TED Talks, Ed Talks are not-to-be-missed short, engaging presentations exploring topics like What Reality TV Taught Me about Everyday Assessment, Trauma as Peril and Potential in Schools, and more.

Amidst a turbulent political climate and activist- and youth-led social movements, many educators have been wondering not only how to teach but also how to parent during challenging times. We have partnered with Teaching Tolerance to publish Reading for Social Justice, a guide for educators and families interested in starting intergeneration social justice reading groups.

This month, Ben Pollack, a 26-year-old music teacher with the Huerfano School District in Walsenburg, Colorado, will be honored at the Colorado Music Educators’ Association Conference. “Teaching music is the most important thing I do,” says Pollack (Music Licensure ’14). “It has to matter every day.”

As the year comes to a close, we like to reflect back on progress and accomplishments as we also look ahead to future initiatives and to our steadfast dedication to our commitments to democracy, diversity, equity and justice. Here are 18 of our top highlights and milestones from the year 2018.

The CU Boulder Alumni Association honored Bethy Leonardi (PhD EFPP ’14) and Sara Staley (PhD C&I Literacy ’14), School of Education research associates and co-founders of A Queer Endeavor, with the 2018 Kalpana Chawla Award at the October annual awards ceremony, one of CU Boulder's oldest traditions.

At the fall series of Ed Talks, we learn about ways to challenge assumptions and create new paradigms around diversity and inclusion in education and beyond. Inspired by TED Talks, Ed Talks explore "hot topics" in education through short, engaging presentations led by education faculty and collaborators. Missed the latest Ed Talks? Check out the updated video gallery.

The annual School of Education Scholarship Awards Ceremony united and honored more than 136 scholarship and fellowship recipients and supporters on Thursday, Oct. 18.

With three university brochures in hand, then-16-year-old Adriana Alvarez went to her high school guidance counselor's office eager to discuss options for college. To her dismay, the counselor suggested she explore options for vocational school instead of applying to college. Alvarez, a teacher for 11 years, a doctoral alumna and...

It came after a particularly defeating moment in class—Christine Arguello revealed her secret dream to attend Harvard Law School. The class erupted in laughter, but teachers helped set the stage for the education alumna's many accomplishments to come, including becoming the first Latina to become a U.S. District Court Judge for Colorado.

Christine Ahn, an INVST Community Studies alumna, is addressing international impasse with education, leadership and understanding. In 2009, she had a vivid dream that women will help end the Korean War. Later, she and fellow leaders were taking steps toward her dream by organizing a women’s peace walk across the demilitarized zone (DMZ) in Korea.