CU Boulder School of Education

Turbo boost your Spanish language skills this summer immersing yourself in Costa Rican culture! This unforgettable experience balances class time and cultural and nature excursions, and cooking classes. Stay with a Costa Rican family and practice your Spanish in authentic settings. Help us spread the word!
The price includes:
- Transportation to and from the airport
- Two meals a day
- Excursions
- Lodging
- Classes and materials

This Teacher Appreciation Week, we’re celebrating 150 years of Teacher Buffs. Since its earliest days, CU Boulder has been preparing outstanding teachers for Colorado. As we celebrate 150 years of that legacy, we’re launching a new campaign to honor the educators who make our communities stronger.

Want to be the first to know when it launches and get priority access to request a Teacher Buff care package? Sign up today at https://www.colorado.edu/education/teacherbuff.

University of Colorado Boulder Forever Buffs: University of Colorado Boulder Alumni

Loraine Glidewell has always been drawn to the people and places others might overlook.

From teaching middle school science in Colorado’s San Luis Valley to earning her PhD and becoming a teacher educator, her journey is rooted in connection, curiosity and care for rural communities.

Her former students even showed up to cheer her on during her dissertation defense and 3-Minute Thesis competition—just some examples of the relationships she builds and the “magic” she brings to her teaching.

Read her story and see why she believes brilliance is everywhere for those who take a closer look.

https://www.colorado.edu/education/2026/04/29/meet-loraine-glidewell-teacher-educator-scientist-doctoral-scholar-passionate-about

Tori Martin is turning her research and experiences into impact. From her Fulbright teaching experiences in Laos to an award-winning capstone on “Opportunity Hoarding in School Choice” her work explores how school choice policies shape who really has access and how systems can be redesigned for equity. Her questions and solutions are poised to help shape the future of education and ed policy.

Learn more about Tori and her work 🔗 in the bio.

Tori Martin is turning her research and experiences into impact. From her Fulbright teaching experiences in Laos to an award-winning capstone on "Opportunity Hoarding in School Choice," her work explores how school choice policies shape who really has access and how systems can be redesigned for equity. Her questions and solutions are helping shape the future of education.

Learn more about Tori and her work:
https://www.colorado.edu/education/2026/04/30/meet-tori-martin-whose-capstone-changing-conversation-about-school-choice

Before starting his PhD at CU Boulder, Kyle Kopsick taught social studies at a high school in Quito, Ecuador for roughly five years. This experience greatly impacted his life and guided him to further his learning by joining the doctoral program in educational foundations, policy and practice.

“I knew I wanted to draw from anthropology and philosophy to explore how international curricula and sociocultural differences shape pedagogy,” said Kopsick.

Kopsick’s dissertation, titled "Intercultural education (un)realized: How neoliberal and neocolonial pressures constrain educational purpose and practice,” builds upon a year-long ethnographic study in Costa Rica. Kopsick was awarded the 2023-24 Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad fellowship from the Department of Education to complete this work and received the CU Boulder School of Education’s 2026 Outstanding Dissertation award.

Congratulations, Kyle!

Read his story: https://www.colorado.edu/education/2026/05/01/meet-kyle-kopsick-education-researcher-examining-how-teachers-can-educate-across

University of Colorado Boulder

Meet Kyle Kopsick, an education researcher examining how teachers can educate across differences and build intercultural understanding Before starting his PhD at CU Boulder, Kyle Kopsick taught social studies at a high school in Quito, Ecuador for roughly five years. This experience greatly

A huge congratulations to all of our amazing education graduates! We are so proud of you and can’t wait to see what you do next. Welcome to the family.

Meet Bridger Jackson, a 4th generation educator and new lead teacher for his Denver community.

Originally from South Denver, it was his experience working with the Boulder Public Library District and connecting with its community that truly reaffirmed his belief that he was always meant to be a teacher.

Jackson’s search for equity and justice based educational approaches brought him to the MA+ Teacher Licensure Program at the School of Education.

Educational approaches that his faculty commend him for manifesting in his own teaching while they were nominating him to receive this year’s Outstanding MA+ Graduate Contribution to Teaching Award.

Jackson is looking forward to connecting with his new Denver community as a lead teacher after some well-deserved camping and swimming this summer.

Congratulations, Bridger!

Read his story: https://www.colorado.edu/education/2026/04/30/meet-bridger-jackson-4th-generation-educator-and-new-lead-teacher-his-denver-community

of Colorado Boulder

Meet Bridger Jackson, a 4th generation educator and new lead teacher for his Denver community Meet Bridger Jackson, a 4th generation educator and new lead teacher for his Denver communityPublished:4/30/2026 4/30/2026 Already possessing a wide range of experiences working in education and hailing from a long line of educators, Bridger Jackson knew he had a love for teaching before working wit...

Meet Paolo Chavez Calvadores, our Outstanding Graduate in Community Engagement!

From teaching nearly every science subject in his rural Colorado middle and high school to cultivating compassion in his school community, Paolo and his journey show us what intentional leadership looks like when it begins within and is focused on compassion.

“Real change doesn’t always come from big actions, but from small, consistent ways we show up for others every day," he said.

Paolo is graduating from our Online Master's in Teacher Leadership program with CU Boulder Continuing Education, where he was able to connect with fellow teachers from all over the state and beyond from his home in the Julesburg School District.

Tomorrow, Paolo will show up for educators once again as the speaker at the School of Education Graduation Recognition Ceremony.

Congrats, Paolo — the University of Colorado Boulder, our school, your Julesburg School District students, and the teaching community are so lucky to have you!

https://www.colorado.edu/education/2026/04/28/meet-paolo-chavez-calvadores-educator-leading-through-compassion-community-and