I have watched the state that I grew up in loose the safety net that made my life today possible. I played on city sports teams, participated in arts programming from SCFD and local taxes and attended public schools from kinder to a masters in culture linguistic diverse education. I owe so much of my success to fellow Coloradans from those that babysat me and drove me to practice to my own mother who taught me the value of hardwork and never giving up.

Teaching is such a monumental part of my story. I have sat alongside my students and learned Spanish while they learn English. I have also fought for teachers and school funding. I have hid in classroom corners with student in active shooter drills, cried when students have died from suicide and watched as my students who are new to the United States have become increasingly afraid to come to school. I also send my three year old daughter to public schools because I deeply believe in their importance to not only her education but our community.