The Colorado Mountain College Education Department recently celebrated a significant milestone – the 10th anniversary of offering a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. The event took place at the Colorado Mountain College Vail Valley at Edwards campus on August 2nd, bringing together alumni, current students, staff, mentor teachers, CMC partners, school district partners, and community members for a day filled with insightful speakers, engaging workshops, and celebrations.
The conference featured a lineup of distinguished speakers, including Dr. Liz Qualman, director of Colorado Mountain College’s teacher education program; Dr. Matt Gianneschi, president of Colorado Mountain College; Dr. Anne Moll, dean of the education school; Dr. Leti Burbano de Lara, education department chair; and guest speaker Dr. JT Torres, former education faculty at Colorado Mountain College. The speakers shared their expertise and experiences in the field of education, providing valuable insights to the attendees.
One of the highlights of the event was the breakout sessions led by Qualman, Torres, and Burbano de Lara. These workshops focused on various aspects of teaching and learning, with a particular emphasis on the theme of “resiliency and adaptability.” Attendees had the opportunity to learn about incorporating lateral thinking, artificial intelligence, and community cultural wealth into the classroom, enhancing their teaching practices and strategies.
The history of the Bachelor of Arts in education at Colorado Mountain College dates back to the academic year 2011-2012 when the college began offering four-year bachelor’s degrees. The education degree was introduced in fall 2015, providing aspiring teachers with the opportunity to earn their degree in elementary education through the school. Over the years, the program has expanded to seven out of 11 Colorado Mountain College campuses, with a strong focus on online courses to accommodate students’ needs.
Despite the online structure of the degree, students in the education program are exposed to real classroom environments early on in their studies. Many students are placed in classrooms with mentor teachers as early as their first year in the program, gaining valuable hands-on experience and practical skills that will prepare them for their future careers as educators.
The 10th-anniversary celebration of the bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Colorado Mountain College was not only a time to reflect on the program’s success over the past decade but also an opportunity to look ahead. As Colorado Mountain College continues to train the teachers of the future, events like these serve as a reminder of the importance of quality education and the impact that dedicated educators can have on shaping the minds of tomorrow’s leaders.
