Born and raised in Aurora, Colorado, Hasan Elsayed had a love of math and science from an early age. Now as a math and science teacher, he gets to live his dream of empowering students to pursue their aspirations and achieve success.

Despite initially planning to pursue physics and graduate studies in high-energy physics, Elsayed’s experience as a Learning Assistant for physics courses at ���������� Boulder inspired him to pursue a career in education. 

Co-developed by Education Professor Valerie Otero, the Learning Assistant program trains undergraduate students in pedagogical content and inclusive pedagogies, so that they are part of the instructional team—breaking down traditional power structures in higher education.

After two semesters as a Learning Assistant, Elsayed realized his passion for teaching, and he enrolled in the ���������� Teach Undergraduate Teacher Licensure program, where he has been selected as the program’s 2024 Outstanding Graduate.

“Hasan is a leader in the ���������� Teach licensure program, and he’s dedicated to teaching STEM for equity and justice,” said Will Lindsay, assistant teaching professor in STEM Education and one of Elsayed’s award nominators. “His caring temperament, kindness and dedication to building authentic relationships with students are uniquely suited to ensuring that all students identify themselves as knowers and doers of STEM.”

Lindsay also noted that Elsayed’s mentor teachers, peers and professional colleagues have praised his ability to plan and facilitate lessons that aligned with state academic standards, and their interactions with him have helped them grow as educators.

Following his student teaching at Centaurus High School in Lafayette, Elsayed was able to secure his first official teaching position at the same school, where he also coaches e-sports and boys’ volleyball. But first, he will celebrate his graduation from the ���������� Boulder School of Education with a month-long adventure in Iceland, Germany, Spain, and backpacking through the Dolomites Mountains in Italy.

In his words

Please tell us a bit about yourself

  I was born and raised in Aurora Colorado, the youngest of five siblings. Growing up I always had a love for both math and science. Throughout my education I have come to really appreciate the feeling of struggling through a difficult problem and finally arriving at a solution. Only one thing makes that experience better through, and that is sharing it with another person. I originally planned to attend ���������� Boulder to get a degree in physics and set myself up to go to grad school for high energy physics. However, after spending two semesters as an Learning Assistant in the Physics department, I knew I had found my passion. I knew I wanted to go into education. After learning and growing in the School of Education, I landed a job at a great school at Boulder Valley School District, and I am now living my dream of supporting students to become empowered as individuals so that they can pursue their dreams and achieve their goals. I am extremely grateful to the School of Education and especially my peers and professors who taught me so much! Thank you!

What is one of the most significant lessons from your time at ���������� Boulder that you’ll carry with you into the next chapter of your life?

  At ���������� Boulder I realized that when we are passionate about something in the way that I am passionate about education, the work that we put into our passions doesn't feel like work. Instead it feels like the right thing to be doing, and a useful expenditure of the limited time we have/share here together. Not only that but when our passions allow us to support others, then, I believe, we are engaging in truly rewarding and fulfilling work that makes a difference in our and others lives.

What does graduating from ���������� Boulder represent for you or your family/community?

  Graduating from ���������� Boulder means a great deal to me and my family. My mother couldn't be more proud. I feel as though a major chapter in my life has come to a close, and it couldn't be a better end to that chapter. I know that I will take many of the lessons I learned at ���������� with me for the rest of my life. I also have lifelong friends and colleagues that I have made during my time here. Not only that but by pursuing my passion for education and becoming a classroom teacher, I also think that I have taught my family a lesson about truly considering what we value in life and what we want to spend our time doing. 

What is your best piece of advice for incoming students?

  Read the assigned literature, you will learn a great deal from the insight of great minds. 

What are your next steps after graduation?

  I have been lucky to land a great job at the school I student taught at, and I will be teaching both math and science next year! At my school I coach the e-sports team and the boys volleyball team, and I love doing both! This summer I plan to take a month-long trip to Europe visiting Iceland, Italy, Germany, Spain, and backpacking through the Dolomites! 

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Throughout her academic journey at the ���������� Boulder School of Education, Bethany Morton has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to creating inclusive and supportive learning environments for her students, particularly children from marginalized backgrounds. 

A fourth-grade teacher at Colfax Elementary School, Morton has been selected as this year's outstanding STEM Education master’s graduate for the ways she thoughtfully questions how current practices and policies in math and science education are not yet serving minoritized youth and her support of colleagues and educators seeking more humanizing mathematics education experiences for students.

“Bethany draws upon her expertise in sociology by delving deeply into the history of the subject areas to theorize how they led to inequitable experiences for minoritized youth at a foundational level,” said award nominators and STEM Education Faculty David Webb and Melissa Braaten. “Bethany understands the constraints imposed upon her as a classroom teacher and factors that contribute to educational injustice.”

Morton’s capstone project investigated the presence of opportunities for mathematical reasoning and justifications in elementary classrooms, identifying areas for teacher collaboration and professional development to better support educators and student learning. 

Reflecting on her experiences at ���������� Boulder, Morton said she is grateful for the advocacy in education that was modeled by her professors and encourages new students to embrace authentic learning experiences. 

“During challenging times, several professors at ���������� Boulder served as advocates for me, demonstrating the importance of supportive teachers who inspire, motivate and empower students,” she said. “As I have learned more about the complexities of the education system and issues of injustice and deficit perspective, my professors not only showed the importance of advocacy, but also showed me ways to be an advocate for teachers and students. 

“From improving my capacity to support students—socially, emotionally, and academically—to understanding what truly serves students’ needs, my experiences at ���������� Boulder have equipped me to be an advocate for students and teachers.”

Following graduation, Morton plans to continue her advocacy as an elementary school teacher in Denver Public Schools, while also considering opportunities for leadership roles, further education and international teaching experiences, all driven by her passion for education and equity.

In her words

Please tell us a bit about yourself

  Although I was born in Colorado, I spent most of my life in Georgia. When it was time for college, I wanted to return to Colorado, and when I visited ���������� Boulder, I immediately knew it was where I wanted to be. While my goals and dreams have always centered around being an elementary school teacher, it was my undergraduate experience at ���������� Boulder that strongly influenced my perspective on education and motivations as a future educator. While here, I was inspired to become a culturally responsive teacher, prioritize equity and passionately advocate for students' learning needs. When I finished my undergraduate degree at ����������, I knew I wanted to continue in my education. Due to many impactful professors and things learned, I knew I wanted to stay at ���������� Boulder, a place where I could continue to grow as an educator.

What is one of the most significant lessons from your time at ���������� Boulder that you’ll carry with you into the next chapter of your life?

  One of the most significant lessons I have taken away from being a student at ���������� Boulder, both through my undergraduate and graduate studies, is the importance of being an advocate for my students, myself, and others. My professors and coursework have shed light on the many inequalities embedded in our education system. Yet, they have also shown me the importance of advocacy.  

During challenging times, several professors at ���������� Boulder served as advocates for me, demonstrating the importance of supportive teachers who inspire, motivate and empower students. Their mentorship also highlighted the significance of agency in effecting positive change. Furthermore, as I have learned more about the complexities of the education system and issues of injustice and deficit perspective, my professors not only showed the importance of advocacy but also showed me ways to be an advocate for teachers and students. From improving my capacity to support students—socially, emotionally, and academically—to understanding what truly serves students’ needs, my experiences at ���������� Boulder have equipped me to be an advocate for students and teachers. 

What does graduating from ���������� Boulder represent for you or your family/community?

  Personally, graduating with my master’s from ���������� Boulder represents a commitment to being a lifelong learner and to continuing to work towards being the best teacher for my students’ and school community. 

What is your best piece of advice for incoming students?

  My advice for new students would be to fully embrace the authentic learning experiences offered within the School of Education. Throughout your coursework, you will encounter numerous opportunities to engage in meaningful and authentic learning experiences. Take advantage of these opportunities as they directly contribute to your growth as a future or current educator and can be used to make a real impact in education. 

What are your next steps after graduation?

  Following graduation, I will continue to be an elementary school teacher in the Denver Public School system, where I am a fourth-grade teacher at Colfax Elementary. Looking ahead, I have many different ideas such as moving into a leadership role, pursuing a PhD, and teaching abroad. However, regardless of the path, education will always be my passion and focus. 

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From heliest memories, Emma Hoeschler knew she wanted to be a teacher.    

“I've always been passionate about working with children, but it took me quite a while to decide what type of teacher I wanted to be,” she said.

Hoeschler's teaching focus only began to manifest itself after a pivotal U.S. government class in her senior year provided her with a firsthand experience of the connection that can exist between classroom content and her personal life. 

“I was able to see the potential for social studies education to empower students to become leaders and changemakers in their communities,” she said. 

Fulfilling her dreams of becoming an active changemaker in her community, Hoeschler was a founding member of the School of Education Student Government, creating learning opportunities in the School of Education community for students, staff and faculty. 

Nominated to be the 2024 Outstanding Secondary Humanities Undergraduate Teacher Licensure Program Graduate, Hoeschler has gained much admiration from her mentors. 

“She embodies the role of teacher leader,” said her nominators, Professor Wendy Glenn and PhD Candidate Chelsea Kent. “Emma centers equity and justice in her teaching, inviting students to examine how power and privilege have shaped and continue to shape our global society.”

Poised and ready to start her teaching career, Hoeschler will soon be teaching 7th and 8th grade social studies at Explore K-8 in Thornton, Colorado. 

“I am excited to be taking on a classroom of my own and have the privilege to work with a new group of students,” she said “I cannot wait to see what the next chapter holds.” 

In her own words

Please tell us a bit about yourself

  I'm originally from Denver, Colorado. I've known since before I can remember that I wanted to be a teacher. I've always been passionate about working with children, but it took me quite a while to decide what type of teacher I wanted to be. In my senior year U.S. government class, my teacher tasked my class with finding a problem in our community and proposing a solution for it through the structures of local government. This lesson allowed me to experience firsthand the connection between my personal life and classroom content. I was able to see the potential for social studies education to empower students to become leaders and changemakers in their communities. All of my decisions following this experience have been made to fulfill my end goal of becoming a secondary social studies teacher. I chose to attend ���������� Boulder's Teaching Licensure program due to its focus on bridging the gap between school settings and local communities. When students are able to bring their experiences and passions in the classroom space, learning inherently becomes more student-driven and impactful. The past four years have enabled me to experience a variety of social studies classroom settings throughout Boulder and have solidified my love of teaching. I am currently finishing my student teaching experience at Casey Middle School in Boulder, Colorado, and I cannot wait to see what the next chapter holds." 

What is one of the most significant lessons from your time at ���������� Boulder that you’ll carry with you into the next chapter of your life?

  One of the most significant lessons from my time at ���������� Boulder that I will carry with me into the next chapter of my life is that good things take time. Especially throughout college, it's easy to feel rushed and forced to move quickly to finish everything you can. I've learned that it's important to be intentional with my time and that it's okay to spend extra time to produce high quality work. It's hard not to compare yourself to others, but college is the best time to forge your own path and find what works for you. College is full of setbacks and achievements, so recognizing that each step of your journey will take however much time as it takes will give you the peace of mind and persistence to keep moving forward."

What does graduating from ���������� Boulder represent for you or your family/community?

  Graduating from ���������� Boulder represents a long-held dream of becoming an active changemaker in my community. While I knew that I wanted to be a teacher for years before my senior year of high school, it was difficult for me to find a university setting that upheld my core values. The ���������� Boulder School of Education is different from any other secondary licensure program that I have come across. In this program, we go far beyond simply learning how to teach. ���������� teachers are poised to become real agents for progress in their schools, communities and the education system as a whole. The skills and knowledge that I have developed throughout my time at ���������� have prepared me to be a teacher who empowers her students to think critically about our world and work to advance our communities for the better."

What is your best piece of advice for incoming students?

  Take time for yourself! Teachers are individuals who give everything they have for their students and their communities, but it's important to recognize that we can't bring our best selves to the table if we're not taking care of ourselves. Learning to balance work life and home life starts in college and developing the skills to draw boundaries is vital. I know I'm biased, but I argue that teaching is one of the most important roles that you can fill for your community. We need teachers who know how to intentionally take time for themselves so they can continue to love to show up for their students for years to come."

What are your next steps after graduation?

  This fall, I have accepted a Social Studies Teaching position in Thornton, Colorado. I will be teaching 7th and 8th grade social studies at Explore PK-8. I am excited to be taking on a classroom of my own and have the privilege to work with a new group of students!"

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Yazmine Lynette Patiño is passionate about supporting first-generation college students as one herself. 

“I’m the first in my family to receive a bachelor's and now a master's degree, both of which I could not have accomplished without the unwavering support of my family” she said. “Graduating from ���������� Boulder represents sacrifice, growth, and possibilities for myself and for my family.”

Patiño grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, but she was drawn to ���������� Boulder's scenic location and the School of Education’s reputation for her master’s studies.

She has been selected as the 2024 Outstanding Master’s Graduate for Educational Foundations, Policy and Practice for her academic performance and her “diligence, thoughtfulness, and excellence in research” that she demonstrated in her classes as well as during her final capstone project. Patiño’s capstone project involved a thorough interviews exploring the experiences of staff members in pre-collegiate programs designed for first-generation and underrepresented students in higher education and it applied theories of community cultural wealth — centering students assets from their families, culture and experiences — and "acompañamiento” — the idea of learning alongside of students.

Patiño’s graduation is only the beginning. She hopes to continue working for the Colorado Department of Education or support first-generation students on college campuses.

In her words

Please tell us a bit about yourself

  I'm originally from the San Francisco Bay Area in California, and I moved to Colorado almost two years ago to attend ���������� Boulder. After graduating with my bachelor's, I knew I wanted to return to school for my master's but wasn't sure what I wanted to study or where. I've always had a love for education and learning and loved the idea of being a part of others' educational journeys. With that in mind, I chose to pursue a master's degree in education. Both the beautiful location and the great things I had heard about the School of Education at ���������� Boulder drew me to apply for the master's in educational foundations, policy and practice.

What is one of the most significant lessons from your time at ���������� Boulder that you’ll carry with you into the next chapter of your life?

  You, especially as a student, will never have enough hours in the day to read everything there is to read on a particular subject. And that's okay. It takes many, many years to become an expert, so as long as you continue to learn and read about the subjects that interest you, you will be okay. 

What does graduating from ���������� Boulder represent for you or your family/community?

  Graduating from ���������� Boulder represents sacrifice, growth, and possibilities for myself and for my family. I'm the first in my family to receive a bachelor's and now a master's degree, both of which I could not have accomplished without the unwavering support of my family, especially when I decided to move away from home to attend ���������� Boulder. Every educational milestone has also represented the possibilities that are out there for my younger siblings, who now have an older sister to help them through whatever educational pathway they choose to follow. 

What is your best piece of advice for incoming students?

  I would advise incoming students to make time in their schedule to meet with their professors and advisors at least once every semester. They have such a wealth of knowledge not only about the subjects they teach, but about academia in general that is worth tapping into. 

What are your next steps after graduation?

  After graduation, I hope to either continue working for the Colorado Department of Education or work on a college campus supporting first-generation students. 

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Growing up with numerous teachers in her family, Taylor Renquist always knew she wanted to attend ���������� Boulder and become a teacher to make an impact on students. After double majoring in Spanish and Mathematics at ���������� Boulder, she came back for a one-year intensive in the MA+ Mathematics Teacher Licensure program. 

As part of the first cohort of the program, Renquist did her student teaching at Niwot High School and will continue this fall at the school as a mathematics teacher after graduation. She is the 2024 Outstanding STEM Education and ���������� Teach MA+ Teacher Licensure Program Graduate. 

“In her student teaching placement at Niwot High School, Taylor has been very attentive to developing a student-centered approach in her teaching, with a focus on raising student voices and developing positive discourse practices within her classroom,” said Assistant Teaching Professor Ian Her Many Horses, one of her award nominators.

“We look forward to working with her as an educator in our community supporting students in ways that value their perspectives, ideas, and interests.”

In her own words

Please tell us a bit about yourself

  I'm from Colorado—born and raised. I kind of always knew that I wanted to attend ���������� Boulder and be a teacher. Both of my parents graduated from ����������. It is where they met and started dating. So, I grew up surrounded by all things ����������. This included going to football games at Folsom, even when the football team was really bad. Thus, when I started looking at colleges, ���������� was at the top of my list. I completed my undergrad in mathematics and Spanish at ���������� and now I am in the MA+ program for secondary math education. My mom and many of my family members are teachers. I saw how they impacted students and wanted to do the same.”

What is one of the most significant lessons from your time at ���������� Boulder that you’ll carry with you into the next chapter?

  Everything happens for a reason. My freshman year of undergrad, I lived in the dorms and got assigned a random roommate. We hit it off right away and got along really well, which was good because I started college in fall of 2020 and we were together 24/7 in a tiny dorm room. She ended up being my best friend and we still live together four years later. You have no idea who will come into your life or why.”

What is your best piece of advice for incoming students?

  Your college experience may not be what you thought. I started college during Fall 2020, so the majority of my college experience was not normal. Even though my experience was very different than how I thought it would be, I do not have regrets because I learned a lot, met some new friends, and got involved in interesting clubs. 

Another piece of advice, go to office hours and talk to your professors. I am convinced that that is the only reason I have a degree in mathematics.”

What are your next steps after graduation?

  I already have a job to teach at Niwot High School next year. I will be teaching Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II Honors. I am very excited to have my own classroom (and my roommate is very excited to decorate it)!”

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