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I never thought that I would become a teacher, because while I always loved learning, I never loved going to school. I knew that I wanted to work with refugees and recent immigrants, as my mom came to the United States as a refugee, but I didn’t know how I could do that. It wasn’t until my junior year of high school that I volunteered at a magnet school for recent immigrants in Denver that I discovered my passion for education and teaching. I worked in a newcomer classroom, and between lessons I was able to talk to the students and hear their stories. As the only Muslim student, and one of a few students of color, I didn’t ever feel as though my identities mattered at school and never felt comfortable sharing my identities.  When it came time to pick a college, I chose ²ÊÃñ±¦µä in part for the School of Education. Its focus and philosophy match up exactly with my goals as an educator.  I want to be a teacher so I can help students like myself see themselves represented in the classroom, and to feel as though their background an d identities are valued in the classroom and help shape the classroom culture.

I also chose ²ÊÃñ±¦µä for the opportunities it provides to experience a small university feel at a large institution. As a humanities major, I have the opportunity to study two fields, English literature and a second field that I created in the department on the ethical treatment of animals.

On campus, I love serving as an ambassador for the School of Education. I am also the student administrative assistant for the Honors Residential Academic Program and a student leader for the program, and in those roles I plan events for first year students. I have also worked with the Denver Dumb Friends League animal shelter and the Native American Rights Fund.

The classes and practicum experiences I have received through the ²ÊÃñ±¦µä School of Education and my various roles on campus and off campus, have given me the skills and confidence necessary to enact positive change.  ²ÊÃñ±¦µä’s focus on advancing educational equity has given me the tools I need to do just that and be the best educator that I can. I also hope to combat structural oppression, and I believe that teaching is the perfect way to do so. I cannot wait to become the teacher who encourages students to be proud of who they are.

~ Anisah Spahn

Humanities and Elementary Education Teacher Licensure Student, 2018