Originally from Denver, Isa Schulte’s path to the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) is unique. During her sophomore year of high school, just before the COVID-19 pandemic rocked the globe, Schulte’s own world was rocked by the sudden passing of her mother. Schulte leaned on her family for support, crediting them with instilling in her the drive that has helped her overcome many situations since then. 

As she navigated the many changes and uncertainties of her last two years of high school, Schulte still found ways to get involved, including joining her school’s robotics team, Angelbotics 1339. In 2022, the team qualified for the Robotics World Championship in Houston, Texas with their robot Jazzy Judi. Schulte, following her creative passions, was the head of the team’s imagery department and designed the shirts the team wore to the competition. 

At the same time, she was applying to universities. Knowing she wanted to pursue a degree in education, UNC was a common denominator in many of her conversations about college. 

“Anytime you're in Colorado and you say you want to be a teacher, people respond ‘Have you heard of UNC?  UNC is the teaching school,’” said Schulte. 

Schulte loved learning, and it seemed only natural for her to help others become inspired to learn too. As she put it, she wants to make the world a better place while she can. 

Looking back fondly on her elementary school teachers, Schulte remembers most of them by name. That realization helped lead Schulte to her current degree in a 4+1 accelerated master’s program (in which the student completes both a bachelor’s and master’s degree during a cumulative 5-year program) majoring in Elementary Education with an emphasis on Cultural and Linguistic Diversity (CLD). Schulte has a passion for teaching others to be culturally sensitive and responsive to other languages, which makes CLD a great fit. 

Without knowing it, Schulte positioned herself perfectly to be eligible for the Cumbres Teacher Preparation Program. 

The Cumbres Teacher Preparation Program supports undergraduate students pursuing a degree in education and an endorsement in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education (CLD). First-year students build a sense of community both inside and outside the classroom by living in the program’s Residential Learning Community. Additionally, they’re placed with a mentor in the program and a mentor teacher in the classroom, helping them understand exactly what is around the corner at every bend. 

“[The Cumbres program] makes sure you meet with your mentor teacher twice a semester. So, I set up a meeting with her. Immediately, [when I met her] I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, I love her,’” said Schulte. 

Schulte also feels well-prepared for life after graduation because of the leadership workshops that the Cumbres program hosts for its students. By bringing in UNC alumni who are working in schools throughout Greeley, students can ask questions and assuage some of their fears about what they will face once they enter the workforce. 

Active in the Cumbres community and the wider campus community, Schulte serves as the Cumbres liaison and treasurer for the Future Teacher Club. The club’s mission is to provide resources for education majors across the board. Seeing how pursuing her CLD certificate has changed the way she teaches and enters the classroom, Schulte hopes to introduce more students to the certificate who might not know about it. 

All in all, Schulte is making the most of her time at UNC. Working as a residential assistant last year on the Cumbres community floor, where first-year students live, she is taking an active role in helping these younger students foster community and enjoy the same UNC experience that she has.  

“My experience at UNC has been really great. I love UNC ... I’ve met the best friends I’ve probably ever had,” said Schulte. 

Transitioning into her last few years at UNC, Schulte is focusing on what life after graduation will look like. Looking into different school districts and school boards, Schulte hopes to move to Manitou Springs to teach third or fourth grade. One day, she hopes to be the teacher that students never forget — the teacher whose name you still remember 30 years later for the positive impact they had on your life.