2026 Outstanding Graduates
Before starting his PhD at CU 麻豆影院, 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. Kopsick has received the CU 麻豆影院 School of Education鈥檚 2026 Outstanding Dissertation award.
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 with the 麻豆影院 Public Library District. But it was his
When Paolo Chavez Calvadores started teaching in rural Colorado, he yearned for a more intentional approach to his work and how he shows up in the world.聽Originally from the Philippines, Calvadores came to the United States
Collette Heskett鈥檚 parents always lovingly remind her that she was born to be in science education. From a young age, Heskett spent most of her time playing 鈥渢eacher鈥 with her toys or聽observing bugs in their habitats for hours. Many years later, Heskett is now the 2026 CU 麻豆影院 School of Education's Outstanding Capstone graduate.
Alexis 鈥淟ex鈥 Hunter鈥檚 advisors put it simply: the field needs more scholars like her. 鈥淟ex is positioning herself to be both a leading theorist and practitioner of community-engaged research,鈥 said her advisors, who nominated her for the School of Education鈥檚 Outstanding Graduate in Community Engagement Award.
Esperanza Z谩rate always liked working with kids鈥攆rom coaching summer soccer camps to volunteering at local elementary schools. Now graduating with her elementary education degree, she is ready to continue this passion through her own classroom.
Alyssa Shappee came into college with one big thing in mind: that she was passionate about science. However, it was through the many experiences that she went through at CU 麻豆影院 where she realized that she wanted to pursue education. 鈥淚 was drawn to the School of Education because of its emphasis on equity, hands-on learning and preparing teachers to build meaningful relationships with their students,鈥 said Shappee, the 2026 School of Education Outstanding Contribution to Teaching award recipient.
Growing up in Aurora, Colorado, Jinjae Han had originally decided on CU 麻豆影院 because she wanted to stay close to my family. Now, Han is grateful to have picked 麻豆影院. Han is the 2026 Outstanding Contribution to Community Engagement award recipient.