Amber Hall struggled to find her place at CU Boulder and her path, until she found the School of Education and the Elementary Education major.
“I chose CU’s School of Education because of their principles, as they were principles that I tried to name and ground myself in for so long: justice, equity, inclusion, humanization, and diversity,” she said.
Originally trying out various STEM majors and other career tracks, Hall, a first-generation college student, started feel stuck until she took an education elective, School and Society, that gave her words and validation for her experiences and upbringing as a first-generation college student with a history of struggling in school, identifying as a student with disabilities. That course was the reset she needed to realize that the change she aspired to could be accomplished as an educator.
“This course made me take a step back and reevaluate my experiences in school, the inequity I had faced and that my foster siblings and siblings faced, to take action and reimagine education as an enjoyable place, where everyone from anywhere, going through anything is welcomed, heard, and empowered,” she said.
Hall is now an Outstanding Graduate for the Elementary Education program, and faculty nominators know she is an exemplary elementary educator and advocate for students because of the depth and seriousness of her preparation for working with children.
Hall takes the initiative to design and facilitate meaningful learning experiences that embody her commitment to activism and advocacy for the rights of all children to think, speak, learn, and thrive. She approaches her work as an educator with humility, critical consciousness, and genuine commitment to children, families, and community members.
Graduating means so much to Hall, her family, and her future students. Come fall, she will be teaching 3rdgrade Montclair School of Academics and Enrichment in Denver Public Schools, where she looks forward to being the kind of educator she needed and deserved as a student.
“Knowing that my future students will have a place they belong, are loved, welcomed, heard, and appreciated drives my passion for my work after graduation,” she said. “This was something I desperately needed in elementary school, and I am committed to fostering. Additionally, knowing I can learn beside my students and colleagues drives my passion for my work.”
In her words
Please tell us a bit about yourself
Hello! I'm from Westminster, Colorado! I am incredibly humbled and honored to be celebrated. Looking back four years from today, I honestly did not think I would be graduating from higher education. I came to CU Boulder as an Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology major. This quickly changed, as I became a Psychology major and then later my first year of college, an Atmospheric and Oceanic Science major. Entering University I struggled, I didn’t feel a sense of belonging and nothing from my course work resonated with me the way I hoped it would. I felt as if I was at a standstill, stuck.
For the longest time, I thought I would have ended up swimming with sharks pursuing the career of a marine biologist. The thought of becoming an educator was intriguing to me, but I had qualms since I had a history of struggling in school identifying as a student with disabilities. One semester, I decided to take an education course, School and Society, to fulfill my elective requirement. I went in expecting to learn about classrooms, but I ended up discovering so much about what I wanted in my future as everything that was spoken in this course resonated with me deeply. It was the first time in a long time I felt empowered and like my past experiences and identity- as a first generation, dyslexic student, was not a hindrance, but instead something to celebrate. This course made me take a step back and reevaluate my experiences in school, taking the inequity I had faced, and that my foster siblings and siblings faced, to take action and reimagine education as an enjoyable place, where everyone from anywhere, going through anything is welcomed, heard, and empowered. I took a semester off of school to think deeper and consider what my future may be like. I thought of my sisters and brother, of my foster sisters and brothers, and of 6 year old me. As I started doing research, CU’s School of Education has the same values I was seeking as I tried to pave a new path for myself. I chose CU’s School of Education because of their principles, as they were principles that I tried to name and ground myself in for so long: justice, equity, inclusion, humanization, and diversity."
What is one of the lessons from your time at CU Boulder that you’ll carry with you into the next chapter?
One of my greatest experiences at CU Boulder was the experience of becoming and all that has come with it. Learning that it’s okay to change, beautiful even. And lastly, it’s good to work hard but also to find time for things you love.”
What does graduating from CU Boulder represent for you and/or your community?
Since I’m a first generation student, it means a lot to me to graduate with a degree. Graduating is a symbol of hope as I have overcome my own adversity and represents overcoming adversity for my family as well.”
What is your best piece of advice for incoming students?
My best piece of advice for incoming students would be to give yourself the grace and room to make mistakes. It’s better to take your time and figure out what you want in life, than to burn out. And lastly, if things feel off, out of place, or not right it’s okay to reevaluate your situation and make changes, it’s never too late.”
What continues to drive your passion for your work after graduation?
Knowing that my future students will have a place they belong, are loved, welcomed, heard, and appreciated drives my passion for my work after graduation. This was something I desperately needed in elementary school and I am committed to fostering. Additionally, knowing I can learn beside my students and colleagues.”
