When Abigail Goldberg graduated with her undergraduate degree in anthropology, she was set to pursue a career in death investigating. An unexpected job during the COVID-19 pandemic, however, changed her whole career course and launched her into teaching.

During the pandemic, Goldberg started a job teaching seventh and eighth grade humanities. She loved it so much that she decided to go back to school, so that she could be the best teacher that her students deserved. Goldberg pursued the master’s degree at CU Boulder in curriculum and instruction and the humanities education track where she could develop her knowledge of theory, pedagogy and practice. Her commitment to teaching and building her knowledge shined and she was selected as the 2024 Outstanding Graduate in the program.

“At every turn, Abby has demonstrated commitment to her teaching, centering her high school students’ perspectives and building her knowledge of anti-oppressive pedagogy,” said Professor Elizabeth Dutro, one of her award nominators. 

Goldberg’s capstone research project looked into the question: “What are the impacts of a no-homework policy on engagement, motivation and well-being in a ninth grade class?” Her project, which included collecting student-centered data such as interviews, focus groups and ethnographic observations, drew on the knowledge that she’s developed in the MA program.

“For me, graduating from CU Boulder represents furthering my personal commitments to myself, my students and my community,” said Goldberg. 

“I have always been passionate about creating change wherever I could. As a graduate from CU Boulder, I have gained another stepping stone of my journey. Even if I am not able to enact big changes, I believe I have gained skills to make small changes in the lives of my students.”

In the fall, Goldberg will continue her teaching journey as a ninth grade human development and history teacher. 

In her own words

Please tell us a bit about yourself

  I am originally from the Chicago area. I started my journey with a bachelor's degree in anthropology. After an internship at a coroner's office, I had every intent to pursue a career in death investigating, until COVID-19 hit. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I was offered a job teaching seventh and eighth grade humanities. Although not my original career goal, I absolutely fell in love with it. I decided in order to be the best teacher I wanted to be, I needed to go back to school. Following my parents out to the beautiful city of Boulder, I soon applied and was accepted to CU Boulder.”

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

  Of the many lessons I learned during my time at CU Boulder, the most significant one was the importance of having a commitment to equity and promoting change. As members of the education community, it is important to use our knowledge to better our communities.”

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

  For me, graduating from CU Boulder represents furthering my personal commitments to myself, my students and my community. I have always been passionate about creating change wherever I could. As a graduate from CU Boulder, I have gained another stepping stone of my journey. Even if I am not able to enact big changes, I believe I have gained skills to make small changes in the lives of my students.”

What is your best piece of advice for incoming students?

  My advice for incoming students would be to really dive into what interests you, what excites you and what scares you. There are so many unique and thrilling experiences and courses at CU Boulder. Step out of your comfort zone and follow your passions.”  

What are your next steps after graduation?

  My next steps include continuing my work as a ninth grade human development and history teacher!” 

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Alexis Harris embodies the School of Education and Humanities Teacher Licensure Program’s commitment to teaching for equity and justice. 

Harris has been named the 2022 Outstanding Graduate in the Secondary Humanities Teacher Licensure Program for the ways she shows up, head and heart, each week and is always open to unlearning and engaging in critical self-reflection.  

My mom likes to call me a "professional student," because I absolutely love learning and could be in the classroom forever if I had the opportunity (in a way, I do!). My passion will continue on because I have a drive for learning, but also because I have felt so fulfilled in my experience so far. Student teaching and the relationships that I formed with students keep me so so excited for the future."

Her faculty nominators contend she has consistently been a stellar student who shows up, and as a classroom educator, Harris is an impeccable planner, remaining mindful of her deeply felt equity aims in each and every learning experience she designs. 

“Her lessons are creative, thoughtful, and grounded in student experiences, interests, and needs,” her nominators state. “Her impressive ability to foster opportunities to build relationships with students in the enactment of these lessons results in the creation of a classroom community in which students are both challenged and nurtured. 

“Alexis has grown into a powerful educator, one who invites students to consider and critique dominant narratives designed to do harm and supports them in building alternatives designed to imagine a new, different, and more just world.” 

 Harris’ humility, passion, and unwavering commitment to young people make her an extraordinary educator and graduate with promising future.

In her own words

Please tell us a bit about yourself​  I'm from Colorado Springs, Colorado. I've wanted to be a teacher since I was in kindergarten! My kindergarten teacher was a huge role model for me and always went beyond the traditional responsibilities of a teacher. As I went through middle and high school, I started exploring what I wanted to do and drifted away from the idea of teaching. I explored anatomy in hopes of becoming a doctor and physics in hopes of becoming an engineer. In those classes, I never really found true passion or joy. But across all of the classes I explored, the one common thread that I found was that I loved getting to tutor other students. Seeing that lightbulb go off when I explain something will always be an awesome experience for me.”

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

  I have learned so much over the course of my four years at CU, but the biggest thing that I have learned is that learning never ends! My educational experience will not stop when I leave campus, and I want to keep the same sense of curiosity for the world that I have always had. There are always new ideas, perspectives, and lessons to learn, and I will always be searching those out. As my favorite quote form Bill Nye goes, "Everyone you will ever meet knows something that you don't". I want to maintain this in my classroom, and really just my life in general.”

What does graduating from CU Boulder represent for you and/or your community?

  I am a first generation college student, so it really represents a really cool moment for us. For me, it both signals an end but also a new beginning. It is bittersweet, but I am excited for what's to come.”

What is your best piece of advice for incoming students?

  Form relationships—with new friends, faculty members, professors, experts in the field. Those relationships are what keep you going when you hit hard times in this college experience. You will always have people in your corner, and it is important to rememeber we're not alone in this!”

What continues to drive your passion for your work after graduation?

  My mom likes to call me a "professional student," because I absolutely love learning and could be in the classroom forever if I had the opportunity (in a way, I do!). My passion will continue on because I have a drive for learning, but also because I have felt so fulfilled in my experience so far. Student teaching and the relationships that I formed with students keep me so so excited for the future.”

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Corey Ferraro had his sights set on two things: becoming a teacher and attending the University of Colorado Boulder. The Master’s Plus Teacher Licensure program in the School of Education allowed him to check both of those boxes in just one year.

Becoming a teacher is a life change I have wanted for many years. Finally putting myself in the position to do this is a dream come true."

“It has been a desire of mine to get into teaching for several years,” said Ferraro, who grew up in Trinidad, Colorado. “Finally, last year I decided to make the attempt for my Masters + Certification. I have wanted to attend the University of Colorado from a very early age and finally being able to do so was an amazing experience. Graduating from CU represents a massive accomplishment for me.”

Not only is Ferraro graduating, but he has also been named the Outstanding Graduate for the MA+ program in Humanities Education, one-year immersive graduate program that leads to both a master’s degree and teacher licensure in English language arts or social studies teaching.

Ferraro’s professors commend his embodiment of the program’s commitment to teaching for equity and justice. 

“Inquisitive and reflective, Corey is an exemplary student who embraces every learning opportunity and considers always how what he is learning applies to his work as an educator,” said Wendy Glenn, professor of Literacy Studies and chair for the Secondary Humanities program. “He pushes himself and his classmates to think more critically about course content and brings a positive, yet realistic, outlook to his work.”

The immersive program features a summer start and student teaching along with coursework during both fall and summer semesters. As a student teacher, Ferraro holds a deep sense of care for his students, and he draws upon his commitments to social justice to create a transformative and affirming classroom space. 

“Corey is the type of teacher that students approach easily,” Glenn said. “He works with students to uncover the many unspoken complicated truths that exist inside them and the history books. It is inspiring to see Corey's students making their own apps to conceptualize the Industrial Revolution or analyzing historical art.” 

Throughout what has been such a difficult year for many educators, Ferraro has demonstrated grace and positivity in his education courses and student-teaching classrooms. He will also draw on the connections he made in his program as he leads his own classroom next year.

“The greatest experience was being involved with such an amazing cohort of peers and an outstanding group of teachers,” he said. “Our program feels like a family, and I appreciate the relationships I have made and look forward to collaborating with this outstanding group for years to come.”

All combined, Ferraro is an extraordinary educator under extraordinary circumstances and beyond. 

“Becoming a teacher is a life change I have wanted for many years,” he said. “Finally putting myself in the position to do this is a dream come true.”

What graduation means to Corey

Graduating from CU represents a massive accomplishment for me. I wanted to attend the University of Colorado from a very early age and finally being able to do so was an amazing experience. Becoming a teacher is a life change I have wanted for many years. Finally putting myself in the position to do it is a dream come true.”

Corey’s special thanks

First, I would like to thank my family! My wife Lindsey inspires me to reach for more and fully supports me.Second, I would like to thank the amazing School of Education faculty and staff. Israel is the best Academic Advisor out there. Wendy, Bethy, Sara, Kent, Andrea, Ben, Chelsea, and Dan are the dream team of teacher education! You all made this experience amazing. Thank you."

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