“New” not only describes the state-of-the-art structure itself, but also many of the faces within. Specifically, a trio of Aurora-born educators are beginning their careers with APS here.

“I’m excited for a new building, new colleagues and a new opportunity,” said kindergarten teacher Sachiko Hills.

Looking back on her time as an elementary student, the fourth-year educator praised the lifelong impact a teacher can have on a young learner.

“I struggled with reading early on, but I had a really good reading teacher who helped me improve,” said Hills. “That’s what inspired me to become a teacher.”

That education inspiration similarly struck Naomi St. Hill, a former private school teacher of five years. She joins the Del Mar community with a heartfelt goal.

“I want to be a role model,” said St. Hill. “It’s so important to be there for kids, especially if they might not have strong relationships outside of school.”

In that same spirit of being a source of support, both St. Hill and Hills are excited to be side by side with their friend, Sara Juarez. Previously a paraprofessional, Juarez is entering her first year as a preschool teacher. She admits that it’s a nerve-wracking experience, but that only motivates her more.

“I’m super nervous because I’m new, but my coworkers have years of experience,” said Juarez. “I need to catch up, and I’m ready to do it.”

Juarez speaks for the group when she talks about the pride she feels teaching in her hometown.

“I was born and raised in Aurora. All of my schooling was in Aurora Public Schools, so I’m excited to be teaching here,” said Juarez. “I love my community, and I want to be an important part of it.”

An instructor at Pickens Technical College speaks to a medical robot that is lying in a hospital bed. Courtesy of Scripps News.

Story excerpt:

"At Pickens Technical College in Aurora, Colorado, nursing students are treating a very special patient.

'This is Hal. He is the newest and most advanced medical simulator really on the planet,' said Keith Garrett, Sim Labs instructor.

Hal is helping medical students using a first-of-its-kind feature: a 'brain' that uses artificial intelligence.

Hal can simulate dozens of medical conditions, from heart attack to stroke. He listens, can answer questions and display symptoms based on his condition: Shine a light, and his pupils dilate. He sweats and even cries.

'This is like science fiction,' Garrett said. 'This is the future of health care and health care education.'"

• Watch the Scripps News story

Story excerpt:

"Many of us are familiar with Uber Eats, DoorDash or Grubhub. But now, high school students at Vista PEAK Preparatory have created their own online snack delivery program, Vista Eats, delivered straight to their classrooms.

This idea came about because of issues associated with the lack of amenities and food resources in the area surrounding Vista PEAK and oftentimes, tardiness or absences due to students trying to get snacks in between classes."

• Watch the 9NEWS story

Students at Pickens Technical College work on the engine of an SUV. Image courtesy of FOX31.

Story excerpt:

"Trade schools offer a financial and time-commitment alternative to traditional universities but continue to be challenged by the stigma that says a trade school is for people who cannot make it in college. 

Juan David Aguilar from Leadville is learning his way around an engine. He said he eventually wants to be his own boss.

'Hopefully open up my own shop and work on cars, but it’s gonna take time for sure,' Aguilar said.

He is not alone, as enrollment is on the rise at Pickens Technical College. Over 1,000 students are currently attending.

'It’s an incredible opportunity because basically, we are career and technical education so our whole deal is we are getting people out into industry,' Andrew Vidockler, cosmetology occupations administrator at Pickens Technical College, said."

• Watch the FOX31 story

Angelina Flores sews together pieces of the shoes she is designing. Credit: Cat Evans

Story excerpt:

"Footwear in the United States is a multibillion-dollar industry. The powerhouse market has seamlessly generated a major influential gateway into the minds of American youth and culture. Chris Hunt, a teacher at William Smith High School (WSHS), is no stranger to the impact of sneaker culture on his students

William Smith is a Project-Based Learning (PBL) school located in Aurora, Colo. According to the PBL website, this means it uses 'methods of teaching in which students learn by actively engaging in real-world and personally meaningful projects.' Although WSHS is a member of Aurora Public Schools, Hunt points out the differences in the standard curriculum for a PBL school.

'The classic approach to public education is taking a standard and supplying the class to meet the standard,' Hunt said. 'The difference with PBL is we can teach whatever, as long as we are meeting those standards. We have to be very intentional about how we are getting those standards into the curriculum.'"

• Read the full Denver VOICE story

Members of the Rangeview girls swim team celebrate after the final scores are read following the 33rd Aurora Public Schools Championship girls swim meet on Jan. 21, 2023, at Rangeview High School. The Raiders won 11 of 12 events on their way to a 19th consecutive victory at the meet. (Photo by Courtney Oakes/Sentinel Colorado)

Story excerpt:

"Robin Allen is so used to her Rangeview team winning the annual Aurora Public Schools Championship girls swim meet that she knows a celebratory dip in the pool is coming.

Allen — in her second stint as head coach of the Raiders — came to her home pool Saturday prepared for the very likely chance that the Raiders would win the annual gathering with the Aurora Central, Gateway and Hinkley for the 19th straight time.

With help from two individual championships apiece from senior Savannah Snow and sophomore Kayla Allen and wins from five others, Rangeview did so by winning 11 of 12 events for a total of 469 points, which put them well in front of the Thunder (179), Olympians (138) and Trojans (134).

'I brought an extra set of clothes this time,' Allen joked."

• Read the full Sentinel story

Story excerpt:

"Aurora is home to many students who love to perform. That's why Aurora Public Schools hosted an annual theater festival. This is the first time it's been back since the pandemic.

The event took place over a two-day period at the Community College of Aurora. The first day, students in kindergarten through 8th grade from various APS schools took the stage both figuratively and literally.

The second day was geared toward high schoolers."

• Watch the AuroraTV story (story starts at 19:42)

Story excerpt:

"Hinkley High School science teacher Susan Mumford-Hartley is one of 10 STEM teachers who received an inaugural grant from Vernier Science Education.

Vernier is a scientific education company that sells lab equipment, software, textbooks and other products to educators at the K-12 and college level.

The awardees were selected out of more than 400 applicants nationwide for the inspiration grants. Each will receive $1,000 in Vernier technology of their choosing, an annual license for the Vernier Graphical Analysis Pro app and three hours of professional development training, according to a news release from the company."

• Read the full Sentinel story

Julian Carrizales, center, celebrates with teammates Javon Lowman, left, and Nasir Mills, right, after hitting a go-ahead 3-pointer in the closing seconds of regulation that held up to give the Vista PEAK boys basketball team a 51-48 win at Rangeview Jan. 13. It was the first win for the Bison over the Raiders, who won the first nine meetings between the teams. (Photo by Courtney Oakes/Sentinel Colorado)

Story excerpt:

"Keenon Clement admits he might just be watching basketball instead of coaching it this season if it wasn’t for the group that came together at Vista PEAK.

The veteran coach couldn’t even contemplate hanging up his whistle and clipboard, however, given the intriguing and unique squad that he gets to work with at the gym every day.

That group has given him plenty to be satisfied about — and even more to look forward to in the coming weeks — as the Bison are off to a 10-3 start (which matches Regis Jesuit and Smoky Hill for most wins among Aurora boys programs thus far) and earned the program’s first-ever win over rival Rangeview Jan. 13.

'It truly is a special group of human beings and truth be told, if it wasn’t for them, I would be done,' Clement said after Vista PEAK’s big win over 2021-22 state champion Lewis-Palmer prior to winter break."

• Read the full Sentinel story

Story excerpt:

"Some students at an Aurora elementary school have gotten a head start on their futures.

They might be young, but they already know a thing or two about starting a business. The kids at Jewell Elementary recently took part in a really cool event that was the school's first-ever 'Market Day.'"

• Watch the AuroraTV story (starts at 16:46)