Voices - Vol 8

Loraine Glidewell's passion for rural education runs as deep as the Arkansas River

Ichigo Takikawa — Wed, 21 May 2025 20:04:27 +0000

Loraine Glidewell's passion for rural education runs as deep as the Arkansas River Ichigo Takikawa Wed, 05/21/2025 - 14:04

Maddie Rudolph

Before stepping into the world of academia, Loraine Glidewell was waist-deep in the waters of the San Luis Valley, sometimes literally. The photo of Glidewell proudly holding a trout on the Arkansas River says it all: “The level of stoke on my face is basically the same level of stoke I feel when I get to talk about rural education!”

“I originally worked with fish,” said Glidewell. “But I accidentally became a middle school science teacher—best accident ever.”

In Monte Vista, Colorado, Glidewell taught seventh grade, everything from chemistry to dance. But more than the subjects, it was the students and the landscape that shaped her. A snapshot from a field trip to the Great Sand Dunes shows a class of seventh graders learning about science under a sky wider than any classroom ceiling.

“I believe there is magic in rural schools,” said Glidewell. “I've seen it, felt it, experienced it and loved it. I miss it every day.”

The first in her family to graduate from high school and college, Glidewell never imagined pursuing a PhD. But her students sparked a new mission: to advocate for rural schools that are too often overlooked.

Now in the ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� School of Education’s STEM Education program, Glidewell is working to ensure that the realities of rural teaching aren’t just known, they’re respected. That’s why she launched the Rural Breakfast Club, a space where future teachers gather at on Friday mornings to talk about rural education and eat donuts—reviving a tradition Glidewell used to do with her middle school students.

“I piloted a survey in 2023 here at ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� to see what our pre-service teachers know and think about rural education,” said Glidewell. She was shocked to learn that they knew very little and didn’t think much about it.

“Given that nearly 85% of school districts in Colorado are rural, many of those districts experience severe and continual teacher shortages, and the intersectionality of some of these districts being in some of the highest poverty counties in Colorado and the United States...I felt like I had to do something.”

The breakfast club has since become a small but mighty community, diving into everything from social justice in rural contexts to dismantling stereotypes. Eventually, the group will create a product to promote rural education on campus.

Glidewell originally dreamed of running a field program—Teaching Science in the San Luis Valley—to bring pre-service teachers to rural schools to learn “what science education looks like when you have small class sizes, access to the outdoors and an environment where the school is the heart of the community.” But funding challenges shifted her plan. Instead of bringing students to the valley, she brought the valley to CU.

“It still makes my guts churn that I had to leave my students,” she said. “But I told myself I’m going to bring badass teachers back to them.”

Glidewell's work is personal, purposeful and packed with pride, just like the slides she prepares for class.

“I spend way too much time making them beautiful,” she said. “I know the content is more important than the appearance, but I can’t help myself. I'll spend way too much time on colors, pictures, finding the perfect gif...it's really inefficient, but it makes my heart happy.”

Glidewell will fight tooth and nail—and apparently eyeball—to seek joy and stand up for what she believes in. She once got a fishhook in her eyeball. Yes, really.

In between research, club meetings and dreaming big for rural kids. Glidewell finds joy in the little things.

Because for her, teaching isn’t just about the content, it’s about the community, connection and believing that even the most remote corners of Colorado are full of brilliance worth celebrating.

In her own words

Tell me a bit about yourself:

"I am a fourth-year PhD student in Teacher Education and STEM Education at ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ��. That’s crazy to say, considering I was the first person in my family to go to college and even to graduate from high school. Before coming to CU, I lived in what some people describe to be “the middle of nowhere”- also known as the San Luis Valley, a magical rural place on the border of Colorado and New Mexico. I highly encourage you to road trip there. Maybe wrestle alligators at the Gator Farm, summit the 14er called Mt. Blanca, see the Sandhill crane migration, learn about the Sangre De Cristo National Heritage Area, or visit the Great Sand Dunes National Park like I used to do with my students. I originally worked with fish, but accidentally became a middle school science teacher. Best accident ever. I taught 7th-grade science along with a slew of other subjects, ranging from dance to chemistry. It was a privilege to teach the students of Monte Vista, and I think about them and miss them every single day. My students are the ones who inspired me to pursue a PhD and become an advocate for rural schools."

Tell me about the Rural Educator Breakfast Club!

"I believe there is magic in rural schools. I've seen it, felt it, experienced it, and loved it. I miss it every day. I piloted a survey in 2023 here at ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� to see what our pre-service teachers know and think about rural education. I was shocked to learn that they knew very little and didn't think much about it. Given that nearly 85% of school districts in Colorado are rural, and many of those districts experience severe and continual teacher shortages, and the intersectionality of some of these districts being in some of the highest poverty counties in Colorado and the United States...I felt like I had to do something. Rural students, families, and communities deserve for these pre-service teachers to know they exist. My hope is that this club can create opportunities for pre-service teachers to come together to learn about rural education. To me, the fact that folks have shown up at 8 am on a Friday morning is amazing, and it honors rural places and people that are often left out of the conversation."

What’s something you’d want people to understand about your research?

"It was really hard to leave my students out in the San Luis Valley, to come here, I had to contribute to the teacher shortages in my area. This is something that still makes my guts churn when I think about it. But I told myself it was going to be okay because I was going to help bring badass teachers back to them. My original goal was to run a field experience called "Teaching Science in the San Luis Valley", where I'd bring a group of pre-service teachers out there to learn about what science education looks like when you have small class sizes, access to the outdoors, and an environment where the school is the heart of the community. But then a reality bomb got dropped on me....money. It turns out, as a doctoral student, the logistics and cost associated with bringing a group of CU students 4-5 hours away just were not feasible for my dissertation. So I had to get creative and instead think about how I could bring rural education to pre-service teachers. That led me to the breakfast club, something I actually used to do with my middle school students, where we got together in the morning, shared donuts, and built community. I rekindled this memory and retooled this idea to work for pre-service teachers, where we get together, still with donuts, but build community through having conversations about rural education. It's been a small but mighty club so far, and our conversations have been richer than I could have dreamed of. So far we have spent time blowing up stereotypes, discussing why rural education needs to be included in conversations around social justice, sharing ideas on how rural education could be incorporated into teacher education courses, exploring the challenges and benefits of teaching in rural schools, and we are going to end by creating some type of product that helps promote rural education to pre-service teachers here on campus. These conversations have been inspired and driven by club members' questions, which is really cool."

What’s your motto?

"Nothing, what's a motto with you! JK- Sorry, I couldn't help myself."

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New School of Education advisory council to work collectively in service to the state

Hannah Fletcher — Tue, 13 May 2025 20:03:00 +0000

New School of Education advisory council to work collectively in service to the state Hannah Fletcher Tue, 05/13/2025 - 14:03

Focused on collaboration, innovation and action, the ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� School of Education launches new External Advisory Council

In April, the ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� School of Education launched a new advisory body to work with school leadership to further its collective mission to support the next generation of educators and community leaders, continue to produce impactful research and deepen community partnerships that serve the state.

The goals of the External Advisory Council include: advising the dean and leadership team on school priorities; strengthening partnerships to deepen community impact in the state and beyond; supporting resource development through advocacy and fundraising; enhancing education, outreach, and research programs; and promoting the school's partnership efforts through public relations and community impact stories.

As I look forward to my role as dean and the challenges we face in Colorado and in education at large, the Advisory Council gave me hope for the future... (Partnerships with members) will not only help me acclimate back into Colorado’s education sphere, but I believe together we can be truly responsive to the most pressing needs for education in the state and beyond" — Amanda Thein, incoming dean

Amanda Thein led the first External Advisory Council meeting on April 22. She shared her initial vision as incoming dean and solicited the interests of each member.

“As I look forward to my role as dean and the challenges we face in Colorado and in education at large, the Advisory Council gave me hope for the future,” Thein said.

“The impressive members bring a wide range of expertise and innovative ideas for supporting educators. Their partnership will not only help me acclimate back into Colorado’s education sphere, but I believe together we can be truly responsive to the most pressing needs for education in the state and beyond.”

Nominated by peers and faculty, council members are alumni, donors, and leaders in school districts, state and federal agencies, non-profits, and other sectors with potential to expand the school’s partnerships and research impact. Once complete, the Advisory Council will consist of up to 25 regular members with additional faculty and staff serving as ex-officio members.

To date, the council includes:

Bill Barclay, retired bioscience entrepreneur, ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� and School of Education donor, including the Miramontes Baca Doctoral Scholars Program, CU Lead Alliance Scholarships, and the Miramontes Arts & Science Program
Allison Billings, CEO of Impact on Education Foundation for Boulder Valley School District
Kelle Bongard, Superintendent, Strasburg School District
Christian Castaneda, Program Coordinator for the Social Venture Partners of Boulder County
Marty Coffin Evans, former assistant superintendent and educator, former ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� School of Education Development Advisory Board member and chair, and Women Investing in the School of Education (WISE) member
Yvonne DiStefano, longtime supporter of the School of Education, former Development Advisory Board member, and Women Investing in the School of Education (WISE) charter member and visionary
Michelle Dubé Carpenter, School of Education alumna, Associate Director of Secondary Field Experiences, retired Boulder Valley Schools District educator, former Development Advisory Board member, Women Investing in the School of Education (WISE) member, and instructor in the School of Education
Daniel C. Edelson, Executive Director of BSCS Science Learning
Rhoda Freelon, Senior Program Officer for Strategic Engagement for the Spencer Foundation
Bianca Gallegos, Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships, BVSD
Kathy Gebhardt, Colorado State Board of Education member for the 2nd Congressional District
Connie Hoon-Barclay, retired patent agent and innovation research, ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� School of Education donor, including the Miramontes Baca Scholars Program and Women Investing in the School of Education (WISE) member
Linda Molner Kelley, School of Education alumna and former Director of Teacher Education and Partnerships, former ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Director of Outreach & Engagement, former Development Advisory Board member
Alex Marrero, Superintendent of Denver Public Schools
Tomás Mejia, State Director of the Migrant Education Program for the Colorado Department of Education
Maya Morales Garcia, Chief Program Officer for Beyond 100K
Steve Ollanik, School of Education alumnus, longtime supporter of the School of Education, former Development Advisory Board member, retired teacher from Boulder Valley School District
Bre Pacheco, Social Emotional Learning Specialist, Leroy Elementary, Adams 12 School District
Barbara R. Quinlan, School of Education alumna, retired educator and teacher in Boulder Valley Schools District for 30+ years, Women Investing in the School of Education (WISE) charter member
Margarita Tovar Rosales, Chief Talent Officer for the Colorado Department of Education
Matt Wiggins, Sr. Director of Economic Vitality & Special Projects for the Boulder Chamber

Ex officio members include:

Micah Abram, Assistant Dean for Advancement
Melissa Braaten, Associate Professor of STEM Education and Associate Dean for Undergraduate and Teacher Education
Elena Diaz-Bilello, Associate Director of the Center for Assessment, Design, Research and Evaluation (CADRE) and Faculty Affiliate
Elizabeth Dutro, Associate Dean for Faculty
Hannah Fletcher, Assistant Dean of Communications and Engagement
Mileidis Gort, Professor of Equity, Bilingualism, and Biliteracy and Associate Dean for Graduate Education
Tania Hogan, Executive Director of the BUENO Center for Multicultural Education
Grace Maniscalco, Director of Special Projects
Joe Polman, Professor of Learning Sciences and Associate Dean for Research
Michelle Renée Valladares, Associate Director of the National Education Policy Center and Faculty Affiliate
Amanda Thein, incoming Dean

The initial meeting generated enthusiasm and synergy among the members. Many expressed interests in enriching collaborations with the university, enhancing innovative initiatives, and acting on some of the state’s biggest challenges, such as chronic underfunding of education, sweeping inequity, teacher shortages, and support for rural and diverse districts while preparing students for the current and future state of education.

In the fall, the External Advisory Council will meet again to review and approve bylaws, support the dean in her visioning process and form two sub committees—the Executive Committee and the Advancement Committee—with the aim of getting to work on the very challenges that brought so many people together for the initial meeting.

As one member noted, "developing partnerships makes everything better.”

Focused on collaboration, innovation and action, the ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� School of Education launches new External Advisory Council in April that will act as an advisory body for school leadership to further its collective mission to support the next generation of educators and community leaders, continue to produce impactful research and deepen community partnerships that serve the state.

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Supporting rural readers and teachers

Hannah Fletcher — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 20:19:33 +0000

Supporting rural readers and teachers Hannah Fletcher Thu, 02/06/2025 - 13:19

The Bob and Judy Charles Endowed Chair of Education is deepening work in rural Colorado

Bob and Judy Charles

Last year, Elizabeth Dutro was appointed to the Bob and Judy Charles Endowed Chair in Education —calling it one of the greatest milestones of her career.

That’s saying a lot for Dutro, a nationally respected expert in humanizing literacy teaching and learning. Her scholarship has earned national awards from the National Council of Teachers of English and esteemed university honors including the Provost Faculty Achievement Award, Boulder Faculty Assembly Teaching Excellence Award and Best Should Teach Award.

Dutro, who joined the ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� School of Education in 2005, is renowned for her dedicated mentorship of students and colleagues and her thoughtful partnerships with teachers. The Charles Chair buttresses her important work, which explores how 22 difficult life experiences can inform literacy instruction that centers students’ knowledge, and her partnerships with teachers to create learning opportunities that enrich their classroom practice.

“Over the years, I have witnessed with admiration how this chair has empowered colleagues and mentors I deeply respect and admire to advance their scholarship, foster meaningful partnerships with schools and communities, and support opportunities for doctoral students,” Dutro said. “It is truly humbling to step into this role and continue building upon their legacy.”

Her recent project, Designing Responsive Literacy Instruction with Rural Elementary Educators, with literacy studies doctoral student Olivia Cox, builds collaborative relationships with rural educators in Strasburg, Colorado. The project supports locally grounded professional learning tailored to community needs.

Dutro’s work in eastern Colorado reflects a shared passion with Bob Charles, who with his wife Judy endowed the School of Education’s only active faculty chair in 2004. Charles’ interest in supporting rural teachers was inspired by Judy, an education alumna devoted to teaching and volunteering.

“I know how much Judy loved teaching—it was in her blood—and I’ve always respected the work teachers do,” Charles explained.

He is passionate about opportunities to strengthen rural education, and he resists the idea that online learning can replace in-person teaching.

“Nothing compares to having a teacher sit down with a student and go over the work face-to-face,” he said. “I have just always felt the rural students are not getting the education they are entitled to.”

That mission resonates with Dutro, whose rural roots in La Junta, Colorado, go back five generations on her maternal side. When she visits Southeast Colorado, she is not known as “Professor Dutro” but as her mother’s daughter or one of the many Klein cousins.

“Bob Charles’ commitment to supporting education research in rural Colorado deeply resonates with me,” Dutro said. “A few years ago, I achieved a long-held goal of expanding my research to a rural region of the state … that builds on my deep ties to rural Colorado.”

The five-year chair appointment supports Dutro’s work with rural educators and future education scholars with similar goals.

The Bob and Judy Charles Endowed Chair of Education is deepening work in rural Colorado

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