Reflecting on their work, Sarah shared, “I learn so much from my students every day. The most rewarding part of this job is watching them grow into confident problem-solvers who see themselves as contributors to the world around them. It’s inspiring to see them realize they have the power to make a difference.”

Janet began her teaching career in California in 1983.  She has taught in several states but found her home in Colorado in 2003.  Janet has been the Science and STEM educator at High Plains Elementary School since 2006, sharing science with preschoolers through 5th grade.  During her tenure at HPE, she was selected as the STEM Coordinator for Academy District 20 as a Teacher on Special Assignment.  At the conclusion of the 3 year granted position, she returned to her lab and has been happily teaching science ever since.  She is also a founding member of eleSTEMary, Pikes Peak Coalition for Elementary STEM Education in it’s 10th year now.  Janet’s passion for STEM education is fueled by one thing- “It’s all about the kids!”  She derives great pleasure from connecting with the community to bring outside experts into the lab.  Janet continues her own education and makes it a priority to be in the know on all things science and STEM. Janet promotes engineering and problem solving via her annual Hour of Code event as well as Fairy Tale Engineering during Engineer’s Week. 

In her 15th year of teaching science, Alicia Mauer works at Woodland Park High School. She has worked with diverse populations in suburban and rural areas of the front range region of Colorado teaching chemistry, biology, anatomy, and AP environmental science. She holds a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and is currently working on a Master’s in Biological Sciences at the University of Northern Colorado. She hopes to teach concurrent college level science classes at Woodland Park High School in the near future. She is passionate about all her classes I teach, but especially environmental sciences and building a community of environmental stewardship through high school students.
 
Alicia has been involved as a leader for Envirothon, a competition-based environmental science team in which students train with field scientists and study to compete against other teams on environmental problems and proposed solutions nationwide. She believes in providing exemplary learning experiences and has taken students to Sand Dunes National Park, power plants, wastewater treatment facilities, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, and the Denver Aquatic Center to learn from professionals in the field. Alicia says, “My career goal is centered on building solutions-oriented environmental education in our community that will enrich the lives of students, their everyday choices, and perhaps expose them to being involved in careers that help make the world a better place for future generations to come.”