Student Stories

When Maya Angelou wrote the poem “Still I Rise,” she was speaking from her experience and validating the experiences of those who came before and after her. Her voice and sentiments are alive and well in Esmeralda Castillo-Cobian’s classroom. ith Angelou’s words still resonating in her ears, Castillo-Cobian is set to graduate from the University of Colorado Boulder with a BA in ethnic studies and her secondary teacher licensure in English education from the School of Education.

It can be hard to see the distinctions between the many lives that Valeria Praga-Rodríguez lives as an educator, mother, advocate and learner. She is also setting a positive example for daughters, students and the countless educators she works with at Denver Public Schools.

Build a Better Book intern Estelle Silk, a sophomore and student ambassador for the CU Boulder School of Education, learned about the importance of inclusivity in teaching and the importance of learning to teach in new ways through the program. “I thought it was really cool because I’d never considered 3D picture books before," Silk said. "It's different from normal braille so it gets kids interested. Adults who go blind also find it really interactive.”

Education sophomore Gracie Filler interns for Reading Buddies, a program at the Boulder Public Library that pairs CU Boulder undergraduate students with kindergarten through third graders to increase children’s interest in books, reading and writing. “You bond with [the kids], and you make a book with them that you present at the end of the semester,” Filler said.

To her dismay, Mónica González Ybarra faced resistance and questioning about her readiness for college when she was a high school student. Now, González Ybarra incorporates her experiences and Latinx youth voices into her community work and research.

Brenda Ortiz Torres has always wanted to change the world, and in finding her path to becoming a teacher, she believes she and her students can truly "be the change." Working with students is the reasons she is so hopeful for the future.

Known for his thoughtful insights and engaging lessons, Tyler LeCroy found his love for math and science when he started community college and then transferred to CU Boulder, soon driving a passion for education.

With steady dedication to her studies and to her 6-year-old son, Alita Smith shows strength in every endeavor of hers. After two decades in the hospitality industry, Smith took the leap to pursue her lifelong dream of being an educator.