On April 29, four CSU students were recognized at a ceremony at History Colorado for their selection to the Colorado Department of Higher Education’s Future Educator Honor Roll.
Julia Blue Arm – Art Education
Aaron Nichols – Secondary English Education
Katherine “Kit” Magee – Secondary English Education
Elisabeth Richardson – Music Education
The Future Educator Honor Roll celebrates Colorado’s top teacher candidates from educator preparation programs from across the state. As a precursor to Teacher Appreciation Week, the ceremony honors the impact these teacher candidates will have on their future students and the state of Colorado broadly.
“The commitment of these students to the profession of teaching is commendable,” said Ann Sebald, co-director of the Center for Educator Preparation at CSU. “We are so happy they chose Colorado State University and the Center for Educator Preparation to be a part of their professional journey. We all wish each of them the best of luck in their future career in education.”
Read more about the awardees from CSU below.
Teacher Candidate: Julia Blue Arm
Program: Art Education
About Julia Blue Arm: Julia Blue Arm was originally born on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation in South Dakota. She was raised in rural communities and educated in very small schools across the state. Her decision to become an art teacher is rooted in her desire to make art education equitable for all students. Julia an advanced student who always completes assignments beyond expectations. Julia investigates different topics, experimenting on various techniques and materials, and explores teaching strategies to differentiate her lecturing and class management skills. She is particularly good at leading students to discover different cultural aspects from multiple perspectives. In her student teaching, every mentor teacher she works with has many compliments on her professional and positive attitude. She collaboratively works with colleagues and seizes every opportunity for professional growth.
Teacher Candidate: Aaron Nichols
Program: Secondary English Education
About Aaron Nichols: Aaron Nichols is a born and raised Coloradan. His decision to become a teacher came from his desire to change the future one child at a time. He has used his experiences of working with people of other cultures as well as his own insights to build relationships with kids and help them grow into healthy adults and citizens. Aaron reflects on his practice, is open to learning and is eager to become the best. On top of these qualities, he connects with people genuinely. He is scheduled to serve in the Peace Corps after student teaching to help students in impoverished conditions as well as continue to build his capacity for human kindness and understanding of all cultures.
Teacher Candidate: Katherine “Kit” Magee
Program: Secondary English Education
About Kit Magee: Kit Magee is from Colorado Springs, but is originally from the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma. Moving to southern Colorado for her secondary education was incredibly confining. The constant focus and spotlighting on her race made her feel entirely invisible as an individual. However, through her education, she felt that she could tangibly access a world outside of her own and expand herself. She brings these life experiences into the classroom, which makes her an exceptional teacher. Kit has worked with faculty — after her work hours — to go to summer programs to recruit diverse teachers for the classroom. She shares her experiences openly and honestly, and high school students are extremely inspired by her. Kit is easily one of the strongest preservice teachers at CSU.
Teacher Candidate: Elisabeth Richardson
Program: Bachelor of Music, Music Education
About Elisabeth Richardson: Elisabeth Richardson is a junior music education major at Colorado State University whose primary instrument is the flute. She grew up in Parker and went to Chaparral High School. She has wanted to be a music educator since she was little, and has been actively involved in as many musical programs as possible for her whole life. She is already a remarkable music educator. Whether it is teaching singing games at a local elementary school or conducting over 100 middle school band students at the CSU middle school outreach program, Liz is always a proactive, prepared, creative and passionate instructor. Liz regularly and consistently goes above and beyond what is expected of her for each teaching experience and class assignment. She designs creative and engaging lessons. She works to connect kindly and meaningfully with all the students in her charge. She has the heart, perseverance and passion of a great teacher.
The Center for Educator Preparation and School of Education are in the College of Health and Human Sciences.
The Department of Art and Art History, Department of English, and School of Music, Theatre, and Dance are in the College of Liberal Arts.
