Grant Recipients

I am so grateful for the opportunity that Ms. Rose and I had to attend the Colorado Music Educators Conference in Colorado Springs this February. 

This is my seventh year teaching in Ouray, and I haven't been able to attend a music conference since moving here. I previously taught in Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools and would attend the music conference in Tennessee every year. 

That said, with our town here in Ouray being so isolated and the expense that the conference entailed, it was a tough ask to be able to justify the expense of attending the conference in the past. The OTF has made teacher continuing education a priority and possibility for those of us that really benefit from connecting with other teachers in our fields of education. 

While we have a wonderful group of educators in Ouray, opportunities like this provide us with an invaluable experience where we can connect and learn from others in our specialty. The conference allowed me to collaborate with other music educators in the state, attend performances from school groups from all over Colorado, gain ideas for future music lessons and activities, and learn about new and engaging curriculum for elementary students. 

As a k-12 music teacher, it was great to have such a wide variety of learning experiences that I was able to attend while at the conference, gaining useful tools for all age groups and class types. And we were able to stay in the hotel where the conference was located, which made the whole experience much easier to navigate and enjoy. 

Thank you so much OTF!

I was so fortunate as to be provided the opportunity to take an American Sign Language (ASL) 1 course online through Gallaudet University this past summer, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the hearts and hands at Ouray Teacher Fund (OTF). 

Gifted with the privilege of teaching Spanish to all Ouray students, Kindergarten through High School, I needed a strategy that would help students apprehend new vocabulary in a kinesthetic and intuitive way. To do so, many teachers pair new vocabulary words with a physical movement, and it occurred to me that American Sign Language would be a standardized and useful alternative to creating our own classroom movements. 

Gallaudet is the only university established and run by the deaf community, making it the perfect choice for study. I learned just around 170 new signs, in addition to new grammar topics, had several hour-long conversations with professors and peers, and aced the course. Meanwhile, the increased student apprehension of both vocabularies is evident. I’ve even gotten reports from homes that students are teaching the ASL signs and Spanish words to their parents. 

OTF hasn’t stopped at making the online accessible to me. We have plans for the future. Supporting my extended studies, OTF is open to conversations regarding an immersive experience via a residence summer program at Gallaudet. This opportunity would not only expand my knowledge of the language, it would further my connections with, and insight into deaf culture. 

I sincerely hope that anyone with resources to support OTF's efforts to expand our horizons as a school will do so. Education is a measurable and safe investment, and we can prove it. 

Ouray Teacher Fund helped Meghan and I (Evelyn) attend the Masters Series on Trauma in Oxford. This conference was an intensive five days of learning about the biological, psychological, and physiological impacts trauma has on individuals of all ages.

The knowledge we received has changed our perspective on working with students and families who have or are currently experiencing trauma. We are better educators after attending this conference and it had such a profound impact on me (Evelyn) that I will be returning to school to get my second masters degree in school counseling. 

Thank you Ouray Teacher Fund and its supporters for allowing us this opportunity to grow personally and professionally.

Dear Ouray Teacher Fund Committee,

I am writing to express my profound gratitude for the opportunity to attend the National Association for Gifted Children Conference, made possible through your generous support.  The experience was incredibly enriching, and I would like to share some of the highlights that made this conference exceptionally memorable. 

One of the most exciting moments was meeting my professor and head of the gifted, talented and creative advanced degree program from my master's program.  Engaging with someone who has profoundly influenced my academic journey was both inspiring and motivating.  This face-to-face interaction provided invaluable insights and strengthened our professional relationship. 

The keynote address by George Couros was particularly impactful.  His message on empowering educators to adopt an innovative mindset was both thought-provoking and invigorating.  Couros emphasized the importance of fostering creativity and adaptability in our teaching practices, which resonated deeply with my commitment to providing exceptional education to all my students.  

Another significant aspect of the conference was the sessions on the impact of artificial intelligence on education.  Learning about the latest advancements and their potential to transform educational practices was eye-opening.  The discussions highlighted both the opportunities and challenges presented by AI, equipping me with knowledge to better prepare my students for the future. 

Moreover, the opportunity to meet educators from across the United States who are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of gifted students was incredibly rewarding.  Sharing experiences, strategies, and successes with these passionate professionals has enriched my perspective and will undoubtedly enhance my teaching methods. 

Once again, thank you for your support and investment in my professional development.  Attending this conference has been an extraordinary experience, and I am eager to implement the new ideas and insights I have gained.  Your commitment to supporting educators is truly making a difference. 

With sincere appreciation,

Rhonda Hamill

4th Grade Teacher

Ouray Elementary School